Since buying the NC i've thought the rear suspension to be a little soft. Given that it is the original shock on the bike (k reg) I suspect that it is probably a little tired.

Anyway before going to the expense of a shock rebuild I thought I would try increasing the preload a little (currently wound half way down - and I'm about 11st).

When I came to tackle this today though I could not shift the preload lock nut
The bike is on an Abba stand so there is little compression on the spring and I've tried both C-spanner and drift and hammer but the thing refuses to budge.

So in order to try and get better access to it I think I'll have to remove the shock. This is where I'm looking for a bit of advice please....

The Haynes manual says that the rear shock can be removed with or without removing the exhaust (fair enough) but in both cases it says to set the preload to minimum (presumably so the spring is not compressed). Obviously I cannot do this

I'm guessing that without removing the preload removing the mounting bolts will be difficult because of the force being exerted by the spring right?

Also if I try and do this without removing the exhaust is it likely to "kick" when I do remove the bolts and possibly damage the exhaust below it (so I'm better removing it)?

Thanks.

It's definately doable without removing the exhaust, and/or without altering the preload (no real kick once you've got it on the abba stand, as it should be at full extension)

It is really quite tight for the lower bolts and clearance near the exhaust so imo I would remove the exhaust, just to make it easier more than anything.

Once you've removed the exhaust it's really quite easy, I often do use a screwdriver/<something> to knock the long bolts through as they do have a bit of pressure on them.

But I'd also add that surely with the preload half the way down, if it's still too soft there's a chance it's just in dire need of a service/rebuild/replacement...

I have done this by undoing the four bolts holding on the rear sub frame and dropping it down and back a little then taking the shock up through the small space made - just takes a little fettling but it'll fit through.

Thanks for the replies guys -- I never would have thought of un bolting the sub-frame (more than one way to skin the proverbial cat I suppose ).

A chap I work with has a couple of different types of spring compressors which I may try and use to compress the spring to free up the lock nut. I suspect that access with the shock on the bike will be very difficult but they may come in useful on the bench anyway.

Out of interest how far down the thread do most people have the preload set?
Is half way down usually sufficient for most riders with healthy shocks?

I've run into a similar problem as well this evening which has resulted in much swearing in the garage

I've got a Hagon shock; getting it unbolted and undoing all the linkage bolts was OK, but now that it's loose the bastard thing won't clear the exhaust to drop out of the bottom . I had to call it a night after half an hour of trying to find new and ingenious ways of getting the shock clear. I do not want to have to go down the route of removing the exhaust system, it seems riduculous! It just seems like the spring is a little too large to clear the pipes under the shock.

To be honest, i'm considering removing the battery and cutting a hole in the battery tray to pull the shock up through; it's got to be less hassle than dealing with inevitable rusty exhaust studs and the world of pain therein. I figure that if i cut a hole in the battery tray just large enough to get my shock through then I can put down a new piece of plastic and put sealant around the edges before refitting the battery. Has anyone tried this before? Or does anyone have any useful advice on how to get it clear? I have looked at the rear subframe and thought removing it may be an option but it's a last resort i think.

SimNC30 wrote: it's got to be less hassle than dealing with inevitable rusty exhaust studs and the world of pain therein.

It depends what type of system you have. Spring mounted systems are very easy to remove. Standard ones are a bit more difficult.

If you decide to tackle it, spray some wd40 on the exhaust nuts the day before if they haven't been off in a while.

never had many problems removing or refitting on an abba stand once all the bolts are removed shock and linkage drops out with a little manouvering from below by raising and lowering the swinging arm to get it out straightforward job , done it with stock exhaust still fitted with showa rs aprillia and hagon shocks tyga system had to partially removed on my other bike to get one out and in but job not quite as daunting as it looks .