Removing shocks
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,990
Likes: 23
From: NC
Removing shocks
I'm planning on taking my stock air shocks off my RK classic and have them shortened. Now, to get the shocks off, can I just jack the bike up and take the weight off the shocks (and any minimal air pressure in the shocks)and then un bolt them? I'm not a RUB, but I've never replaced shocks on a bike.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Milwaukee, WI
Yes, jack the bike up. Use tie downs to keep it stable. Depending on the jack you should be able to get just enough elevation so the tire is just making contact, but no compression on the shocks. Be careful of the air lines.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 30,860
Likes: 32,730
From: King George, VA
Yep, that's pretty much how ya do it. Replaced mine with Progressive 440s today. One of the stock shocks had blown a seal. If you look real close at the top of the shock where the air line connects, you will see a raised ring. Depress that and it will release the air line and the air from the entire system.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,836
Likes: 1
From: 2000 Softail FXST
I made this change a while back and put a low profile jack (Compact car jack) under the rear tire so it was easier to raise the tire up when installing the shortened shocks.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,750
Likes: 2
From: Bucks County PA
now that you are changing them, give Howard a call at Motorcylcemetal.com This guy knows more about shocks than anyone I've ever talked too. He will have a set custom built for you. I have a set of brand new 440's used about a week that I'm going to sell, they are 13" though... nice ride, but not like my Penske.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,086
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
If you're going to leave the bike on the jack while your shocks are modified, you may want to jack it up high enough to reach one of the locking points on the jack. It would really suck for that jack to leak down while you're gone.
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