Swap your shock

Dial some control into your rear end with a new damper

1 Cross reference and double cdheck

If it’s time to sort that worn-out shock you’ll be pleased to know that it’s a fairly straightforward task that requires little more than unbolting the top and bottom mounting bolts, and then swapping the old shock for the new one. However, procedure is key so you always should crossreference this guide with your own bike’s workshop manual.

2 Put the bike on a stand

A centrestand is ideal for supporting the bike while the shock is removed. But if your bike doesn’t have one, jack it up from the middle or use a stand that lifts it so that the swingarm is free – like this ABBA stand, which raises the bike off the ground by the swingarm pivot points. Once in the air you can wrap a cable tie around the front brake lever for added stability.

3 Strip for access

For faired bikes like this Honda CBR600, start with removing the lower fairing panels in order to access the shock. On Some bikes it might also be necessary to remove other ancillary parts, such as battery boxes and undertrays. If you need to remove loads of bits to gain access to the shock lay the parts and fasteners down in a logical order to help with re-assembly.

4 Lose the weight of the wheel

Removing the rear wheel will make it easier to raise and lower the swingarm, and will aid you when it comes to removing the old shock. Before you take the wheel out completely, make sure you know which side the wheel spacers go, as they are quite often different widths. Undo and remove the bolts that attach any rising rate linkage.

5 Look at the linkage

The procedure here will vary from one bike to another; this CBR600 requires the suspension linkages to be unbolted at the bottom in order to give the shock room to be removed. If you need to remove them completely or any of the other linkage components, make a note of how they fit or take a photo prior to disassembly.

6 Tap out the bolts

Undo the nut at the top of the shock mounting, but leave the bolt in place for now. Undo the nut at the bottom of the shock then tap out the top bolt – having a helper to take the weight of the swingarm will make the bolt come out easier. Remove the lower bolt, keeping your eyes peeled for any washers or bushes.

7 Compare old with new

Lay the shocks side by side to make sure that both ends have the same fittings, and that the bolt holes are the same diameter. You also need to ensure that it is the correct length; most performance aftermarket shocks have a ride height adjuster which can be changed to match the original if needs be.

8 Grease bolts and check bushes

With the shock out of the bike, now’s a good time to check seals or bushes around the mounting bolts. Any worn or damaged items need to be replaced with original parts. The bolts can be cleaned up and then coated with fresh grease ready for installation. Do the same with any other linkage bolts that have been removed.

9 Slide in the new shock

Wriggle the new shock into place. You should line up the top mounting hole first then slide in the bolt before fitting the lower bolt to the mounting point. Sometimes you may find that you need to move the swingarm up and down in order to line the holes up. Refit any other linkages and their bolts.

10 Time to torque

Tighten the nuts of all the bolts and torque to spec. Take the bike off its stand and check the action and movement of the shock by pushing the back end down firmly – there should be a smooth compression and return with no binding or clunking sounds. Refit all removed parts then go for a test ride, then reinspect for any issues.