front shock replacement

[trident74]

Need help, replacing front shock on R1200R. Any tricks I should be aware of?
Val

[Semper_Fi]

very important - if you are not aware of this - You need to support the bike from the frame - best thing would be to put a small jack under the engine, because if you dont the frame will drop.

You also need to remove the gas tank.

It is not difficult at all - just be careful

[deilenberger]

Not really - except it's REALLY helpful to have a floor jack to hold the front end up..

You can R&R the shock by moving the tank back a few inches, and removing the top nut and bottom bolt while the bike is supported. It is NOT necessary to remove the tank.

You have to unscrew the side-covers over the TBs, and the two rear sidecovers from the tank), then remove the large bolt holding the tank in place (left side from memory..) and the plastic bit from the front of the tank. I'd also remove the charcoal canister and bracket for clearance (mark hoses so they go back to the right fittings..)

Put a jack under the engine sump, and lift the bike until the front wheel has no weight on it (not quite off the garage floor..)

Then use a heat gun on the bolt (there is loctite used on that bolt) that holds the bottom of the shock in the telelever wishbone, and remove it (I seem to recall it being a T-45). The top shock nut can be spun off if you grasp the top of the shock to keep it from turning.

Once the ends are disconnected, you can raise the bike up several more inches with your floor jack, and wiggle/twist the shock out (I find I have to let the bottom end go down through the opening in the telelever fork, then bring the top out toward me on the left side of the bike.)

Installation is the reverse of removal.. I would use some blue (medium strength) Loctite(tm) on the telelever bolt and the top nut. Both should be torqued to spec (which I don't have handy, but if you PM me I might remember to look up tonight when I get home.)

Good luck! It sounds harder than it really is..

[JimVonBaden1]

I expect it is similar to the GS, with a few obvious differences: http://www.jimvonbaden.com/Ohlins_Shock_Install.html

http://www.jimvonbaden.com/images/10%20remove-install-HB-Bars.jpg

Jim :brow

[Semper_Fi]

Don - you're right - you don't have to take the tank off - I just did it for room

Jim - great picture and link

Luis

[trident74]

for the shock to drop down and out do you have to remove the timing belt cover?

[trident74]

With the shock un bolted , top and bottom, I can't get the bottom part of the shock to clear the wishbone. That why I asking about the timing cover.

[deilenberger]

With the shock un bolted , top and bottom, I can't get the bottom part of the shock to clear the wishbone. That why I asking about the timing cover.

Remember what I said about jacking the bike up a few more inches? That will give you the clearance you need to get it out. Bottom as far down in the telelever wishbone as you can get it, top will just clear coming out to the left side of the bike. I have done this.. ummm... mebbe 4-5 times. Have not had the alternator belt (it's not "timing") cover off yet.

[trident74]

Thanks for the input
Val

[JimVonBaden1]

On the GS you may have to remove the alt belt cover. Also, keep in mind that Ohlins, at least, has thicker around coils, so less room to get them in and out.

Jim :brow

[deilenberger]

Haven't done Ohlins - did do Hyperpro.. which I believe are also a tad larger in diameter, but still wasn't a problem, since I was putting on a shorter Hyperpro shock.

[trident74]

Hyperpros are what I'm installing on the R1200R.
Val

[deilenberger]

Hyperpros are what I'm installing on the R1200R.
Val

Shouldn't be a problem.. if it wasn't gonna be snow for the forseeable future, I'd suggest you just ride over to my house and we could throw them on..

Once you get them installed, you may find: http://www.eilenberger.net/Suspension/suspension.htm of some use.. (or not..)