24 replies to this topic

[pres589]

2004 VFR, non-ABS, did Honda not want people to ever consider replacing the rear shock unit? I think I burned half an hour at least trying to get the top bolt out of the rear shock unit on this thing last night until hanging it up. 14mm combo wrench on the bolt, 17mm combo wrench on the nut, and this thing is so hard to get to I never did get the thing completely apart.

The bottom bolt was nothing, just fire up the compressor and a touch of the impact wrench and I'm good. But that top... I've got the tank pulled off and set forward and it isn't in the way, unless I'm supposed to swing a wrench at the nut from the front side. Plastic all off the rear of the bike including the battery and opposite covers, pulled the rear MC reservoir out of the way, along with an electrical disconnect that was in the same general area. If the linked brake prop valve wasn't hanging out in front of the nut maybe life would be easier.

Is there something I'm missing or is this just one of those things that stinks to deal with no matter how a guy attacks it?

[digitallyhip]

If you had an ABS version, you'd also have the joy of removing the preload adjuster...

[Egg on Leggs]

Pres, just undo and remove the rear tank bolt, after releasing the front then raise rear of tank to reveal the top bolt of the top shock mount and drop the lot.

To put it back just attach the top mount to the shock, thread it back up, bit of a wiggle, get the nut back on a few threads and rest

[bayarearider]

Hmm, don't recall it being that much of an issue when I threw the "Oh" on. Especially since it was my first. A little cramped but once properly stripped all reachable.

Hope it works out for you. You will be happy with the upgrade!

[pres589]

Pres, just undo and remove the rear tank bolt, after releasing the front then raise rear of tank to reveal the top bolt of the top shock mount and drop the lot.

To put it back just attach the top mount to the shock, thread it back up, bit of a wiggle, get the nut back on a few threads and rest

So under the tail of the tank, where that hard mount is, I pull that up after removing it's retaining bolt/hinge? What else needs to happen? I didn't see an angle of attack available from the top that far forward. I won't get to do much with the bike tonight but I'll see if I can get 10 minutes in the garage and either get the bolt out or take a picture of what I'm seeing and ask again.

[SEBSPEED]

It should only take about an hour to swap the shock on a non-abs.

Leave the tail intact. Pull the seat, prop the tank up, remove the rear wheel. Remove the triangle plates and jack the swingarm up as high as it will go. Then undo the top mount nut, shock will slip easily out the bottom.

Reverse for assembly...

[pres589]

instructions instructions...

The problem I was having was getting access to the top bolt. The rest of this is pretty straight forward. Eggs says to head down at it from the top side, I seem to remember the rear subframe getting in the way as well as some other bits from the tank's rear mounting hardware, although I can take another look at that tonight. I'm only asking about this bolt, can you just address that aspect?

[Monk]

instructions instructions...

I'm only asking about this bolt, can you just address that aspect?

Easy even I can do it........ Like Seb said one nut at the top drop the shock out then worry about the nut and bolt on the top of the shock........ But you need to drop the shock 1st, to get to the nut and bolt.

The trick is putting it back......... You'll need to reinstall the nut and bolt tight enough to stay in place while you put the shock in the top hole.........and once it's lined up remove it again and torgue it down then put it back in the top hole again.

[SEBSPEED]

Lemme see if I can find the pic I have of my bike mid-swap.

I removed the front tank bolts, then the rear, propped the tank up at the back with a piece of wood and had at it.

[SEBSPEED]

Here you go...