That was pretty painless

I fitted the Gixer 600 K5 shock that arrived this morning (Thanks for the 40 fags you lost as well Phil, I hate rolling up when I have greasy mitts).

To make life easier I stripped all the rear plastics off and hoisted the subframe in the air by pivoting it on the upper mounting bolts to expose the part of the battery box that needs trimming back. A bungee from the rear of the subframe to the garage door kept it out of the way. While it was in the air I took my Dremel to the stupid toolbox thing and cut it off so I could fit the K3 hugger I'd removed from my naked bike. The hugger went straight in with no fitting problems at all and looks stunning now it's painted satin black - it all blends in nicely. Now it's done I do think the battery needs more in the way of support, so I'll be making a new base for the battery box tomorrow.

Yeah, swapping rear shocks is handy enough.

The record for me was my mate, who changed his on the side of the road, at night, using the LED light on his keyring, with me holding the bike up.
Took maybe 10 minutes.
Most of that time was figuring out how to attach the remote reservoir thing.

I've spent longer adjusting my chain...

Can't believe it, he pays ?40 delivered, cost the best part of a tenner to post, plus 2 packs of fags I accidentally posted so it cost him ?20.

Then he informs me the shock I sold him is better than the K5 thou that I kept as it'll be over-sprung.

Oh, and he has no problems fitting it.

Cheek of the man!

Phil, I have what's known as the luck of the Irish, unless manhole covers are involved.