New shocks this weekend

[Buck]

I've been reading up, on this site, about replacing my shocks. The other half of the Ohlins(front) is due tomorrow, so I'll replace them both this weekend.

The manual says to use 243 and 2701 Loctite. But I don't see 2701 in the Loctite catalog. Do they mean 271? One of the posts mentions the green(wicking) type. I guess that would be 290, for larger bolts.

Also, I'll remove my rear shock first, per most of the posts. At least one of the posts talks about taking the rear wheel off, to get the rear shock off. But I am thinking I should leave the rear wheel on, while I'm working on the front. Maybe just disconnect the rear one, until the front is done?

Thanks for any experienced advice.

[tbarstow]

Buck,

Leave the rear wheel on on the final drive.

Remove the rear shock, then do the front shock, then install the rear shock.

You have to take the rear shock off to be able to tilt the front of the bike back far enough get the front shock off.

You don't need the green Loctite. When you're removing the calipers from the front fork, keep going and unbolt the brake lines FROM THE FORK. With all of the braking components free of the fork, the front of the telelever arm will push down out of the way so you can remove the front shock without further disassembly or grinding of the telelever.

Good luck and enjoy the new shocks.

[tbarstow]

Buck,

Leave the rear wheel on on the final drive.

Remove the rear shock, then do the front shock, then install the rear shock.

You have to take the rear shock off to be able to tilt the front of the bike back far enough get the front shock off.

You don't need the green Loctite. When you're removing the calipers from the front fork, keep going and unbolt the brake lines FROM THE FORK. With all of the braking components free of the fork, the front of the telelever arm will push down out of the way so you can remove the front shock without further disassembly or grinding of the telelever.

Good luck and enjoy the new shocks.

[Buck]

Thank you.
Thank you.

I must've missed the part about removing the calipers. Am I taking the front wheel off?

[motorhead]

Thank you.
Thank you.

I must've missed the part about removing the calipers. Am I taking the front wheel off?

Yes, for a front shock replacement the front wheel needs to be removed and out of the way !

[jzeiler]

I agree, although I had the front off for a tire change anyway, it made it very easy even with the rear still together. The key is undoing all the brake line attachments (don't open any lines) from the forks. With the calpiers off and the lines loose it is a snap to pull the wheel.

Then you drop the old shock down until you can remove the rubber donut then it will go back up far enough to clear the telelever. Like wise when installing the new shock, top in first then drop down - insert top donut and proceed.

I also did not want to mess with the green loctite on the ball joint nut.

[Buck]

Thanks, Tim and John.

[grifscoots]

Nobody has mentioned the exact holding of the lips to pull said rubber donut off the shock tower.

[yechave]

I just did this myself. Made a few mistakes.

#1 I did not mark the position of the Motolights........

#2 I would pay the dealer to remove the left fork 3mm allen head screw for the brake hose.......took 20 mins beating with a hammer and easy out to remove it, and almost as much trouble putting the new one in.

Removed the rear shock, then the front, installed the front and rear, and repeated the process twice!

Reinstalled the front, lift the back of the bike by the trunk to get the front bolt to line up on the bottom. A jack does not work.

Use a pry bar under the rear tire to line up the bolts for the rear shock.

With the Ohlins, I had to grind their aluminum bracket so it would not cut into my wiring harnesses.

I used green loctite on the top of the front shock, Ohlins tech said it was not necessary. It is not moving.

Pump the front brake lever, so you have some.

I was unable to get the bike off the center stand, and was attempting to lock the front wheel as I got some forward momentum, only to find I had no brake.

Can't begin to express what the problems not knowing about that GD rubber donut caused me.

With the info just from the thread, you saved yourself at least 3 hrs.

;^/

[Buck]

I just did this myself. Made a few mistakes.

.......Pump the front brake lever, so you have some.

I was unable to get the bike off the center stand, and was attempting to lock the front wheel as I got some forward momentum, only to find I had no brake.

With the info just from the thread, you saved yourself at least 3 hrs.

;^/

Good point about the brakes. I do remember that you have to pump them first. But I would not have remembered it before the critical time without your reminder. Thanks.

Why did you do it twice? (You didn't say not to ask.)

[grifscoots]

Can't begin to express what the problems not knowing about that GD rubber donut caused me.

With the info just from the thread, you saved yourself at least 3 hrs.

;^/In 2001 when I put my Ohlins on I spent more than a few hours dinking with it till I discovered that dayem rubber donut. Tis, indeed, a valuable thang to know.