Triumphrat

rustbucket · 08-11-2006, 07:46 PM

This is a bit OT for this forum, but I thought y'all might have the answer: how on earth do you get a motorcycle in a position to change out the suspension linkage???

A friend of mine just picked up a YZF-600R (Thundercat to the UK folks, I think - at least he persists in calling it 'a 'cat'). It has a lowering link on it that we want to remove to bring the ride height back to stock.

To those who've installed lowering links on the Triumphs - how??? I assume the rear wheel has to come off, but after that, all we have is a rear stand, so the suspension would still be weighted... This seems like a bad thing when it's time to change parts on the suspension.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

hinkleyboy · 08-11-2006, 08:05 PM

hmm check out suspension settings i thinf someone hung the bike up from rafters in the garage to unload the rear end and someone else used the crash bobbins to jack up the bike, you can tie ratchet straps through the frame and round a rafter and see how it goes!! :???:

Will · 08-12-2006, 10:17 AM

:razz: The bat bike (hanging from the rafters) was mine! It is the, uh, rustic bikelift. :razz:

DaveC · 08-12-2006, 11:35 AM

When the mechanic put the lowering link on my S4, he jacked it up from beneath the oil drain plug. You need to put a rag into the jack cup to spread the load. You also need to strap the bike so it doesn't fall sideways. In any case, this takes the load off the swingarm so you can release the shock from the drag link. You can't use a rear stand.

If you're worried about loading the drain plug area, then the other methods mentioned above would be the option. Make sure the rafters can take the load. My garaga has a high ceiling with 2x4 cross-braces at 8 ft height. I think they would need added bracing to work.

Joe-Dirt · 08-12-2006, 01:24 PM

Do you know anyone with an engine hoist?

yimmit · 08-13-2006, 07:09 AM

Most modern bikes have holow swingarm spindles so if you get some stel rod from a diy store slide it through and support it on sombricks/wodn blocks or if the missus will let you dining chairs (mine wasn't to happyabout that)

Tim

08-29-2006, 01:14 PM

IMHO the easiest way to do this is to place a jack between the rear tyre and the seat sub-frame (with a timber packing piece) then extend the jack to take the load off of the rear shock. You can now remove the rear shock and the linkage. You cannot however remove the rear wheel or the swing arm itself.

Hope this helps.