CHAPTER TWELVE
REAR SUSPENSION
AND FINAL DRIVE
This chapter includes repair procedures for ser-
vicing the rear shock absorber and swing arm as
well as the drive shaft and the final drive.
When inspecting rear suspension and final drive
components, compare any measurements to the
specifications in the tables at the end of this chapter.
Replace parts that are damaged, worn or out of
specification. During assembly, tighten fasteners to
the specified torque.
SHOCK ABSORBER
Removal/Installation
Refer to
Figure 1
.
1. Securely support the motorcycle with the rear
wheel off the ground so the rear shock absorber is
not compressed.
2. Remove the muffler assembly (Chapter Eight).
3. Remove the battery box and toolbox panel as de-
scribed in Chapter Fourteen.
4. Remove the rear wheel (Chapter Ten).
NOTE
The shock absorber preload adjuster
sits at the top of the shock absorber.
Locate the preload adjuster indicator
and note which direction it faces. The
shock absorber must be reinstalled in
this same orientation.
5. Remove the nut and washer from the shock ab-
sorber lower bolt (A,
Figure 2
).
6. Remove the bolt (A,
Figure 2
) and lower the
swing arm so the connecting arm separates from the
shock absorber mount.
7. Remove the nut from the shock absorber upper
bolt (A,
Figure 3
). Note that the bolt engages a re-
ceiver (B,
Figure 3
) in the frame.
8. Remove the shock absorber upper bolt and re-
move the shock absorber from the motorcycle.
9. Clean and dry the shock absorber mounts and
hardware.
10. Inspect the shock absorber as described below.
11. Installation is the reverse of removal. Note the
following: