Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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?

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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.

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

yeap easily

both ways work well

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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! :)

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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.

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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

Re: Best way to change out rear shock?
 

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...)