Easy Way to Replace Rear Spring?

Did the same thing as Flip. Just wrapped it up yesterday, but have not been able to go for a ride yet because it has rained enough lately in Northern Michigan to float Noah's ark. LOL(at least it's not snow) I bought the OEM shock from a trike takeoff with very little mileage and upgraded it to a progressive spring. I paid 90 bucks for the spring shipped. Borrowed the spring tool from a generous board member. Like Flip said not brain surgery, but it is a job. Take your time. Worst part for me was getting the tank out and back in as that baby has just enough room to come out if you hold your mouth the right way LOL. Good opportunity to check out things under the tank. I highly recommend Fred's DVD's. After watching him do it I tackled the job and got ur done. I can already tell the difference just sitting on the bike. Now if it will only stop raining. Good luck. Go for it, not all that tough. Fred

Work Smarter.

I have tried all the methods to remove the rear shock for a spring or shock change. For me the faster way was to pull the tank and not fight/push/shove with the tank being in my way.
I like to work smarter not harder than I have to.

I can swap out a rear shock and top off the actuator in 2 1/2 hours (when my sciatic isn't bugging me) talking the tank out. I have many witnesses/customers that seen me do this too.:wink:


I get to test ride more bikes than most. and after having two failed aftermarket rear shocks, you couldn't "give" me one no matter who's shock it was.

They can and sometimes do fail. for some it's on a trip. and that will cost you way more then what you paid for the shock/install.


What do I run with all this knowledge?? I use a 2012 shock with a progressive spring set at 10 Solo and if I remember to change the setting 13 two up. yes 3 does make a difference.
Why a 12 shock? because it was reworked by Showa when they went to a 1,000 pound spring to improve the ride quality on the 2012 wings.
I took off a 08 shock with just about 10,000 miles on it after I installed a 12 shock in a customers bike and felt how much better it was over the 08 shock in my bike with the same spring on it as the customers bike.