Gday,

Just trying to remove the swingarm shock bolt have got it loose but now the thing is just spinning in one place, have tried long nosed pliers on the bolt to no avail anyone got any other ideas.

Thanks Cameron

sorry mate, cant help much but bash69 could help you out on this one, im not sure if he is now in hibernation but you could try PM'ing him

or if you put a naked picture of a fighting girl on here im sure that you would get Ducati Pete's attention as i believe he has had his off too.

you taking the shock out to send it to suspension improvements?

Yeah mate was going to head down with the forks and shock in the morning, will hit it again in the morning with a wire lasso see if that works

I've had my shock in and out a bunch of times, every time I just use the huge fuckoff allen key from the bike's toolkit. If it's spinning in one place, maybe try applying pressure at an angle and pulling carefully outwards. If you angle the key/bolt you should be able to "drag" it out.

or you could try putting a bit of tape or something on the allen key, making it a tighter fit into the bolt and helping hold it on the key as you drag it out.


it's not an easy job - very fiddly - but i've done it a bunch of times with just the allen key and i'm not what you'd call a professional

Try magnet (I have on a extending stick....very usefull)

Next will be trying to get the bottom shock mount to release (put something under the swinging arm first...or you will dent your exhaust) put foot on swing arm and press down

one more nugget while i'm at it - first time I had it out, the shock was rather firmly attached to the swingarm, once the bolt was out I had to spend quite a long time with various hammers to get the 2 to part ways. It's an interference fit and then some...

Samba

See my answer above ..

Put duct tape or similar on the of the Allen socket, looped with sticky side out. Then lightly tap into the bolt until tightly fitted. Slowly pull out the bolt. Make sure there is no bind on the bolt or nothing will get it out.
Good luck!

For removal of the shock: If it doesn't come right out it is likely binding due to tight fit. There is room under the bottom clevis for a huge screwdriver wrapped in a rag or a piece of leather to wedge under and smoothly pry (or prise) it out.
All of this really depends on how you have the bike/frame/swing arm supported.

Cheers guys,

It has a nichols rear rideheight adjuster on the bottom of the shock I am wondering if the fit of the bolt through the bottom of the shock is a bit more snug than with the normal shock bottom big pain in the ass.

Thanks but far from an expert. Just a sideline critic any more.

My bolt and shock came out pretty easy. Tight fit, close tolerance but came out easy enough.
Bear in mind that my bike never saw moisture other than that cold ass foggy over cast at Fontana in January.

I should be embarrassed but I only had my shock and forks rebuilt once in two years. All of that time racing or on the track.
I sure did love that bike!
Pisses me off thinking that Legaspi shit is possibly riding it somewhere.

Ive had mine off dozens of times heres the only advice i can give -

Obviously the frame needs supporting, i always remove the top bolt 1st and let the swingarm drop down taking the weight off the lower bolt (if you take the lower out 1st the weight of the swingarm/rear brake etc just sits on the end of the bolt holding it in place even at the end of its thread travel)

Undo the lower bolt to the end of its thread then use 1 hand to jiggle the bolt on the end of the allen key and use the other hand to support the weight of the shock.

If this doesnt work you will probly find the shock is basically being held in place solidly by the bush and holding tight on the bolt leaving no wiggle room. take a large flat blade screwdriver and clothe, put it under the rear shock mount (youl need the rear wheel out) and lever the rear shock upwards slighty, this should should take the weight off the lower bolt and enable the wiggle

I put a rod through the swing arm pivot and support the rod with 2 car jacks.

that bushing/spacer is a PITA. try not to move it much when you pry the shock off the swing arm. if you move the bushing outward the bolt thread won't engage when you reinstall. you'll then have to tap the bushing towards center with punch/hammer.

Steel rod through the swing arm pivot point w two car jacks/stands worked like a charm, thanks for that!

Refitting the bottom of the shock was a bitch... I think I pulled out that left bushing on the swing arm a tad, I punched it a few times with a wrench and a hammer. I got her to fit then. Getting that bolt to thread was a bitch too. Trial and error.

I've had mine in and out several times too...
Bash said it as the rest...
Difference for me was I used an electric chain hoist at work and a nylon tie strap....
Pull the chain hook over the bike and use the hooks on either end of the tie down
on the rear sets..This way I take just enough weight off the rear tyre with the chain hoist..
I also remove the chain and mud guard..
Remove the top shock bolt...I've put a touch of grease on the allen wrench to hold it tight enough in the socket head bolt..The grease holds with a little suction... I hold the shock and take the pressure off the bolt and out it comes
I've had to coax the shock bottom with a rag and pry bar to release it from the lower mount...Then I use a brass drift and hammer to tap the bushing back into the swingarm just enough to get it back together..The bolt will tighten back against it and snug up to the shock eye...

They were so good infact...my buddie went over to you and brazenly asked for more! Manners....