Topic: Rear shock/spring assembly

[davidtime]

Anyone have a trick to getting rear springs compressed to put the spring back on the shock without the tool?

[70CB750]

I have seen pictures with the spring hold by many zip ties for the installation.  I believe gnarlycharlie  (member here) have done it that way.

[reddyvv]

I found the best way to get a good grip on it is to put the lower mounting point in a vise and get someone strong to pull down on the cover while you insert the stops.

[Elan]

yeah I did the "pull down " method. just make sure the tension adjustment is set to the easiest setting

[davidtime]

I don't have to have the cover on it do I?

I dont even have a vise but I think I can come up with something. Gave me an idea though. Think I will attach it to an old swingarm and do it.

I swear the springs got longer than they were when I took them off.

[davesee]

i used compression straps.

[Xnavylfr]

NO, you don't have to put the cover back over the springs. It really helps to have a vise to squeeze the springs down then you can ziptie or safety wire them. If you have a way to lift the back of your bike from above ,this trick helps.. Install the shocks with the springs in place, lift the back of the bike so that the shocks are at full extension then have someone push down on the springs so you can install the half-moon locks.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[tomkimberly]

You can make your own spring compressor like this. All it took was a saw, drill, and hammer.



Tom

[davidtime]

I didn't think zip ties would hold but all I needed was that and I made the 8" 3-jaw puller I bought and the exhaust hanger (actually I was about to take the puller back) work. Originally I was trying to do it with the spring on the shock but the puller would pop off. So I compressed it off the shock after some trial and error it worked. First one took a few but the 2nd one took seconds.

Thanks for the zip tie suggestions and all of the others. Saved me 32.00 from the local shop.

[70CB750]

Glad it worked!

[davidtime]

Heres a  bad photo