I need to remove the rear shock on my 2004 749S to replace with an Ohlins . I presume that I will have to support the frame of the bike to enable me to remove the shock. I have made up a support framework with 2 stepladders and a plank. I would appreciate any advice as to wether or not this will work and would be grateful for any hints and tips . I have already cracked off the top and bottom 8mm socket head bolts ready for removal.
I'm no expert, but I don't like the two step ladder idea as they are of differing heights. If I was forced to work under those conditions perhaps the right hand ladder and the plank partially through the window in the picture (opened first) might offer better support. I would remove the fairings, just in case it fell, + saddle and tank, and I would zip tie the front brake to stop it rolling.
John Pop over to my place, roll the bike in the garage and the frame can be supported with proper supports using the roof joists. That looks like an accident waiting to happen. I think there might even be an engine crane lurking in the rear I haven't dusted for a while.
I just chocked the rear swing arm / brake calliper to the sub frame with a piece of timber - shaped so it couldn't slip. That look's well dodgy and as above, could end it tears take the offer of help if your as unsure as your step ladders appear to be!
That's what I was going to do but didn't want to buckle anything so found the brake calliper to sub frame was best was best - a safety chock between the type and exhaust would be good too but my bit of wood couldn't move.
I have an NWS stand - like an Abba stand but better. Used many times on 749, 916, Monster. You are welcome to borrow it or bring bike to me.
The 2 stepladder idea is a quick mock up of what I was proposing to do, I haven't refined the positioning at this point. I'm confident that I could make the framework stable enough to suffice one way or another. What I need to know is the procedure for the removal. Do I need to remove the exhaust pipe, or can this be left in situ? Will I need to move the frame relative to the ground by a small amount to facilitate the removal and replacement of the 2x 8mm bolts? I can move the bike into my lounge, where there is a 10"x10" oak beam running at ceiling height that I have used on several occasions to suspend bikes with a steel wired block and tackle. I was just thinking of the stepladder idea to avoid the hassle of moving the bike into my lounge! @Rob Many thanks for your offer I'm confident that I can do this myself and I just love a challenge.
@Exige Did you support the rear of the bike by using a chock of wood between the top of the rear brake caliper and the rear subframe? I'm having a problem visualizing the amount of weight the subframe would be subjected to once the rear shock is removed. Would this technique put undue strain on the subframe?
When I took the rear shock out of my 999 I took the fairing off, raised the rear with my paddock stand, put a piece of wood on top of my cantilever tool box, put this below engine and lowered bike onto the tool box. Hardest part was wiggling the bottom shock pin free.
@Chris Sounds like a plan. Did you have to remove the exhaust pipe, or can the shock be removed without doing that?
No removal of the exhaust necessary and yes the sub frame is strong enough to carry a fat passenger - so at the point I chocked it, less leverage, it would hold 3 or 4 times the weight of said fatty,
Forgot to say, I trapped a couple of ratchet straps under each side of the tool box and attached them to the frame for added stability.
swap the footrests over to the opposite side, so they are upside down and drop them onto axle stands.
come on John, this should be a breeze in the park for you given that you tour India on your 185 Baja, how many times have you had to lash up some dodgy way of mending things without proper tooling??:Angelic:
Judging by the diy accident pictures, let's be silly and just take the fairings off an push it over. Get an Abba stand and use that, plenty second hand on e-bay/
@CRYSTALJOHN demonstrates the new, slimline Ducati toolkit supplied with the Scrambler when it ships:
I too use an abba stand and its a five minute job to remove the shock. Be careful when you do and you will find it much easier if you chock the rear wheel to prevent it dropping where it will then hit the horizontal cylinder exhaust pipe. When you extract the lower shock mounting bolt and free the rideheight adjuster, make sure to capture the alloy spacers that sit in the rod ends and check for wear. I replaced my rod ends with better quality stainless ones from Mcgill motorsports as recommended by someone on here and am very happy. I even went for one of the rubber rod end covers and it protects the rideheight rose joint from corrosion and grit. Worth doing if your planning on having it apart. While its off its also worth taking the rocker linkage off and popping a bit of fresh grease on the roller needle bearing as it often gets overlooked.
