One of my premium hand adjustable shocks was leaking so I had it overhauled. I removed the shock from the bike using the Wheeldock centerstand to lift the bike. Now I want to put the shock back on but it's a bit longer than it was before -- I guess because the oil has been replaced -- and there's not enough clearance to line up the shock's bolt holes.

Can someone tell me where I should place my jack under the bike to get the additional half inch clearance I need to reinstall the shock?

Thanks.

 

a piece of 3/4" ( 18mm ?) dense plywood under your wheeldock should substitute for a jack. it will take a little more force to get the bike up but it works to raise the wheel for cleaning etc or for this job

use a wedge of wood under the rear tire...push in the wedge to raise...pull it back to lower.

I have sat behind the bike on the floor with both hands free to line up the shocks and insert bolts...and a foot pushing the wedge to line up the holes

mike

 

Just do one at a time problem solved

 

Place the jack where you always place it. Jack it up for more space and let it down for less.

 

My problem is the bike is on the wheeldock with the shock off, but I can't put the jack where it needs to go to lift up the rear because the wheeldock is in the way. And I can't lower the bike without the shock on it.

 

Take it off the center stand and put the jack underneath. You still have the other shock on and even with no shocks on all your going to do is maybe have the wheel touch the bottom of fender.
If you don't want to do that just use a scissor jack and lift it up a bit higher to get the shock bolt on.

 

ah, sorry I see the dilemma- you are caught 1/2 way.

how about dumping air out of the tire- would that give you the room you need?

mike

 

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I finally phoned my Harley shop and my mechanic there gave me a tip that enabled me to get the shock on. He said that the righthand shock (which I was trying to fit) is a bit longer than the left shock. So the key to getting it on is to remove the left shock, which then allows the right shock to be bolted on. Once I did that I then could refit the left shock by lifting the bike with the wheeldock only, no board under it. This lined up the bolt holes perfectly.

Hope this info can help others out.

 

Wow I wonder how some people put a pair of shoes on

 

Zip ties around the shock works for me.
Snip when bolted.