Best way to change out rear shock?

[AkiraSV]

I'm soon to be changing out the rear shock on my SV650S. Just swapping for a stock shock with much less miles (1000 vs 13,600) to match the new front forks that have been put in. I'm just wondering what the best way to change the shock would be? At the moment it's on a rear paddock stand and a home-made stand in the middle (see pic). I've got access to a trolley-jack but there doesn't seem to be anywhere to place it under the bike, not sure what to do. :(

Any ideas?

[Mr Speirs]

Build another homemade stand and use the pillion pegs to lift the back wheel off the ground. Alternatively you could get a step ladder. Place the bike underneath the ladder and use a ratchet strap to lift the bike using the ladder as a lifting point.

[AkiraSV]

Would the pillion pegs be able to support that much weight? The ladder idea sounds interesting too, DIY at it's best!

[davepreston]

Would the pillion pegs be able to support that much weight? The ladder idea sounds interesting too, DIY at it's best!
yeap easily

both ways work well

[AkiraSV]

Regarding the ladder idea, would the ladder be placed length ways underneath the bike?

[Bedhead]

Regarding the ladder idea, would the ladder be placed length ways underneath the bike?

Nope, one of the ones that opens in an inverted "V" with the two sides down either side of the bike.

Make sure you crack all the bolts on the suspension so they are loose before you lift it up.

I've hung a bike from the grab rails before now, a Bandit where they bolt straight into the frame, couple of ratchet straps round a rafter in the garage and voila! :)

[hongman]

You need the the back of the bike unweighted.

The stepladder idea (seen a pic of it somewhere) is to stand the ladder up as usual and have the bike inbetween the 2 vertical lengths. You'd need a specific type of ladder where the horizontal bit didnt get in the way though.

[Drumming_Animal]

An alternative way is to place axle stands under the main frame underneath the footpegs, and then to take off the rear paddock stand. Ive done it that way a couple of times and had worked fine for me. Just make sure the frame has a decent seating on the axle stands so it doesnt fall. Its a pretty simple and suprisingly quick job if youre swapping standard for standard

[hongman]

You may as well regrease the pivot points while you have the shock out though :)

[AkiraSV]

Thanks for the suggestions guys! :D

And I think I'll be having a good ol' clean and regrease round those parts whilst the swap is taking place.

(I have an unhealthy obsession with cleaning my bike...)

[flymo]

Nope, one of the ones that opens in an inverted "V"

What, like an 'A'? ;-)

[Reeder]

What, like an 'A'? ;-)

:smt082

[andrewsmith]

Looking at the bike, it would be advisable to get a headstock stand (about £50 from Germany) to support the front if your swapping the shock before putting the front on the bike.

With regards to supporting the rear, strip off the rear plastics and run a decent piece of wood through the subframe, or if the missus wouldn't flip: Block and tackle like so

http://www.corporateflyfishing.com/images/minitwin/zx10a.jpg

[Bedhead]

What, like an 'A'? ;-)

What can I say, I'm vowelaphobic! :-D:-D:-D:-D

[AkiraSV]

Looking at the bike, it would be advisable to get a headstock stand (about £50 from Germany) to support the front if your swapping the shock before putting the front on the bike.

With regards to supporting the rear, strip off the rear plastics and run a decent piece of wood through the subframe, or if the missus wouldn't flip: Block and tackle like so

http://www.corporateflyfishing.com/images/minitwin/zx10a.jpg

Will be doing it with the front end on, (probably should have mentioned this in my initial post), so there will be support for the front end. Good idea with regards to the subframe!

[AkiraSV]

And I should mention there is no missus to please in the equation... anything goes!

[Reeder]

And I should mention there is no missus to please in the equation... anything goes!

Hire your local wrestling team to come and hold it up for you?

[AkiraSV]

hire your local wrestling team to come and hold it up for you?

Perfect!

[monkey]

You could always buy an Abba stand.

[AkiraSV]

Good point actually, might see if anyone i know has one i could borrow. Trying to do it on the cheap you see! :)

[mikerj]

If you are going to have the front end attached then you can use car axle stands under the main footpeg brackets (i.e. the U shaped bit that the peg hinges in). This keeps the stands well out of the way compared to using the pillion pegs and it's perfectly stable.

[AkiraSV]

Good idea matey, taking all of this onboard! :D

[Nobbylad]

Voila!

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/nobbylad/DSCF2718.jpg
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/nobbylad/DSCF2717.jpg

[AkiraSV]

That'd be the one then! The guy whose kitchen the bike is in at the moment has some interesting ideas involving a plank of wood and a garden gate, i'll put all of these suggestions to him and then i'll post up some pics when we decide on the method!

[monkey]

If there are two of you it'd be easy to lift the bike onto a pair of el cheapo axle stands.

[xXBADGERXx]

I just lifted my bike up at the back and got a mate to sling stands under the frame of the bike .

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/xXBADGERXx/EbayStuff005.jpg

[monkey]

BOSSSSHHH and the Badgerman has it covered.

[xXBADGERXx]

Well you did say "El Cheapo Axle Stands" :)

[AkiraSV]

That last idea seems the most sensible, i'll see what resources are available :)

[Bibio]

you've probebly done it by now but i just spotted a little tip on svr. pop the pins out of the pegs and turn the pegs round the other way and pop the pins back in then put axle stands under the pegs.

[AkiraSV]

you've probebly done it by now but i just spotted a little tip on svr. pop the pins out of the pegs and turn the pegs round the other way and pop the pins back in then put axle stands under the pegs.

Haven't done it as yet, great idea!

[stormingjoe]

Use a scissor jack on top off the rear wheel, put a pad on top of the jack(tea towel) and wind out to press up under the rear mudguard until the pressure is taken off the suspension.

[monkey]

All whilst on the sidestand?!

[stormingjoe]

Yep. do my Firestorm like this all the time when overhauling the linkage, will be doing my sv soon same way, can also use a paddock stand under swing arm for more room, very stable.