Rear Shock Installation

dicedreams2000 · 07-05-2008, 1:02 PM

Hey Everyone,

I am about to install a new rear shock on my cbr 954, does anyone have any instructions? :-D

I know the actuall removing and installation is easy, just a couple of bolts, but how do I get to it?

Thanks,

bladeracer · 07-05-2008, 1:50 PM

I don't understand what you mean about getting to it.
Should be very simple.
Put a bar or something through under the rear subframe and support both ends each side of the bike so it doesn't drop when you have the shock out.
Undo the the two bolts through the linkage plates and then the top bolt and drop the shock out the bottom of the swingarm.

dicedreams2000 · 07-07-2008, 12:12 AM

Is it really that easy? Don't I have to remove the battery tray. Honda said it would take two hours? Are they just making time up?

bladeracer · 07-07-2008, 12:20 AM

I don't have a battery tray on my 929 but I just checked Haynes and OEM manuals and neither says anything more than having to remove the seat to get to the top nut on the 954. On the 929 you don't even have to do that.

dicedreams2000 · 07-07-2008, 10:45 AM

Thanks for the information. I will check it out when I get home.

Thanks again,

dicedreams2000 · 07-07-2008, 12:33 PM

As for support, what do you guys recommend to hold the bike up while doing the installation, would a rear stand lift do the job?

Thanks

bladeracer · 07-07-2008, 12:38 PM

Probably the best way is to tie it up to the roof or some kind of frame.
I don't like the way it moves around while you're trying to work on it that way though so I prefer crates, chairs or similar supporting each end of a long bar or timber through under the subframe.
You can also put a rod through the swingarm pivot and support that on stands.

dicedreams2000 · 07-07-2008, 12:46 PM

Thanks again

HondaGalToo · 07-07-2008, 1:31 PM

yeah, you can't support it with a rearstand under the swingarm. A pipe or something through the subframe supported on either side by sawhorses, or suspending it works. If you have aftermarket rearsets that don't fold, jackstands under them work well, too.

dicedreams2000 · 07-07-2008, 4:05 PM

Are the rearset pedals that strong as to hold the bike up without bending them?

HondaGalToo · 07-07-2008, 4:08 PM

Guess it depends on the rearsets, but my Satos seemed strong enough. It's been so long since I did it that I forget exactly how I supported the bike. Pretty sure I ran a metal pipe through the subframe, and had it supported on saw horses.

SolPer · 07-07-2008, 4:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dicedreams2000

Hey Everyone,

I am about to install a new rear shock on my cbr 954, does anyone have any instructions? :-D

I know the actuall removing and installation is easy, just a couple of bolts, but how do I get to it?

Thanks,

Here are some great instructions that I used to do my Ohlins install. They will work for stock also.

To relieve the rear suspension to remove the shock, I used my pitbull stand to get the bike balanced on my Sato (NON RETRACTIBLE) rearsets. Will not work with regular rearsets.

dicedreams2000 · 07-07-2008, 4:49 PM

hey SolPer, thanks for the quick response, but can you do me a favor and recheck the link, I can't seem to open it.

Thanks,

dicedreams2000 · 07-07-2008, 8:56 PM

Thanks for the link... it works now.

SolPer · 07-07-2008, 9:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dicedreams2000

Thanks for the link... it works now.

Sure, PM me if you have any questions. I just did it, and I'm a noob to mods, so all this stuff is fresh in my mind. It was easier than I expected.

SolPer · 07-07-2008, 9:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dicedreams2000

Are the rearset pedals that strong as to hold the bike up without bending them?

Yup, the Satos did it with no problem. Those that coached me told me to expect some bend as they were stressed, but I didn't see any, and they did the job perfectly. Much better than hanging from a strap, but if doing so freaks you out, use the pipe and horse method.

dicedreams2000 · 07-08-2008, 11:28 AM

It looks like I have to remove the gas tank in order to get to the top bolt, does that sound correct? I have a 954 just incase anyone is wondering.

Thanks

bladeracer · 07-08-2008, 12:01 PM

No mention of the tank in my Haynes manual.
Is it in the way or just easier to reach with the tank removed?
On the 954 you have a height-adjustable top clevis so you can either remove the top nut or the through bolt.
Are you putting another OEM shock back in?
I have supported my bikes on stands under solid pegs with no problems.

vertical954rr · 07-08-2008, 12:45 PM

i just used a solid pipe/rebar through the swingarm pivot and supported it with jack stands, worked fine...i didnt need to remove the gas tank or anything else to get to the top shock bolt, just go in from the side and use shorter turning strokes with either a wrench or socket.. where the heck are u getting your info from??

just look at the bolt from the side, it may take more turns to get it off & on since there isnt any room to make a complete rotation with the wrench but do you really want to take the whole bike apart?

dicedreams2000 · 07-08-2008, 12:45 PM

I didn't think about just taking out the through bolt, instead of the top bolt. Do you think I will have enough room to just take out the through bolt? I am trying install an Ohlins Rear Shock. I will give it a shot.

Thanks for all your help.

vertical954rr · 07-08-2008, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladeracer

No mention of the tank in my Haynes manual.
Is it in the way or just easier to reach with the tank removed?
On the 954 you have a height-adjustable top clevis so you can either remove the top nut or the through bolt.
Are you putting another OEM shock back in?
I have supported my bikes on stands under solid pegs with no problems.

if you remove the tank you can use a socket extension and turn it from the top instead of going in from the side and using shorter strokes.. if ya crunch the numbers by the time you take off everything to get at it from the top you could have already had it off & on again by going in from the side..

vertical954rr · 07-08-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bladeracer

No mention of the tank in my Haynes manual.
Is it in the way or just easier to reach with the tank removed?
On the 954 you have a height-adjustable top clevis so you can either remove the top nut or the through bolt.
Are you putting another OEM shock back in?
I have supported my bikes on stands under solid pegs with no problems.

actually he may not even need to take off the top clevis nut since the Ohlins should just bolt into the clevis so all he needs to do is pull the side "through" bolt..good call i dont know how i missed that

dicedreams2000 · 07-08-2008, 4:19 PM

Thanks people for all your help, this place is seriously like family in here. I will post pictures once I get it in.

SolPer · 07-08-2008, 5:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dicedreams2000

Thanks people for all your help, this place is seriously like family in here. I will post pictures once I get it in.

Glad it's working out for you. In some cases, it's actually BETTER than family.

dicedreams2000 · 07-14-2008, 4:06 PM

Yea, I guess I do have to take off the seat and tank. I was unable to reach the side bolt.

Thanks though

SolPer · 07-14-2008, 5:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dicedreams2000

Yea, I guess I do have to take off the seat and tank. I was unable to reach the side bolt.

Thanks though

Must be due to the fact that mine is a 1000...your bike must be a bit different. Sorry.