New Shocks Install

Got new shocks from DK Customs and looked closer at removing the old air shocks. Dang the top bolt has no room to use a socket so a 3/4" wrench is needed. Am I going to be able to break the bolt free with killing myself? Anyone done this and can give me some hints. I watched the DK video and others on shock removal and I guess I didn't realize it was such a tight fit on that top bolt. Of course Harbor Freight doesn't have 3/4" box end wrench so I will have to go to Sears and look. Would a offset wrench work or is it too tight. Thanks.

I would think that you could use an offset wrench.

You can see in the video we used a ratcheting box wrench. It is pretty easy to break them loose and remove them with that.

I'm surprised HF does not have a 3/4" open end or box wrench. Home Depot, Lowes, maybe even Wally World will have them.

[img]http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/productImages/1000/c1/c11545d3-681a-479f-9d54-8989f6b873eb_1000.jpg[/img]

Kevin

[video=youtube;G4HPmw5776Q]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4HPmw5776Q[/video]

Thanks Kevin. If I didn't get any hits I was going to call you guys Monday. I looked at video closer and noted your use of a ratcheting wrench. Sears has them so I will go by there tomorrow and get a couple. I will return what wrench doesn't work for me. I have an open end wrench, but there is no way I am going to use that on a shock bolt. I hope it turns easy. On another thought. I bought your external breather kit to use with the stock air filter. Do you think I could use Tygon fuel clear tubing inside the air cleaner instead of your hose. I just want to be able to see if stuff is flowing to the catch can. I also used some sping clips on the hoses where they attached to the breather bolts. Just to make sure I had a tight fit. Its a good kit that can work with various air cleaners.

Yes, I really like the ratcheting wrenches. Makes life much easier! The 3/4" was is nice and long, so you get some leverage on it and it should turn fairly easily once it breaks loose.

Make sure it is very secure on the jack stands!

Yes, there is no reason not to use the clear tubing....just make sure it is not sitting against anything real hot, like the cylinder fins. Spring clips are a good idea...zip ties will work too.

I believe you are going to be very happy with the improved ride with those shocks!

Thank you for using our products, we appreciate your business.

Kevin

Ok, got the shocks installed. I found a ratchet wrench set at Harbor Freight that had 3/4". Not as long as I would like, but acceptable. Definitely get this bike up on nice steady jacks. I used my Sears motorcycle jack under the engine and another jack under the trunk against the cross bar with a block of wood to protect the finish (just like in the DK video). Got the right wheel off and put another jack under the axle. Loosing the shock bolts takes some muscle, but they break free and come out easy. You will have to loosing the three axle pinch bolts so there is enough room to remove the lower shock bolt. Those pinch bolts are really tight. Swaped shocks (make sure the adjustment lever faces away from wheel) and loosely tightened the bolts. Don't forget thread locker. Put thread locker on the the pinch bolts and tightened those bolts up to torque value. Then I tightened the shock bolts as tight as I could since you can't get a torque wrench on them. Put the wheel back on and went to the left side. Little harder here as the parking brake plate is in the way so you will have to use a ratchet wrench on the lower pinch bolts. Removed and replaced the shock and did the same as the right except I couldn't get a torque wrench on the bottom two pinch bolts so again tightened by hand. I had measured the bottom of the fender to the floor before I started all this work and it was 12 3/4 inches. I measured the same spot after i removed all the jacks and it was 13 inches. I torgued the lug nuts and took it the trike for a short ride. When I came back I measured the same spot and it was right at 12 3/4 inches. Can't tell you from the short ride if the shocks are better than HD air shocks. I know the side to side jiggles are tightened up.

Lesson Learned: Buy or use a ratchet wrench that can change directions using a lever. The Harbor Freight set I got you have to flip it around to change direction. I wasn't paying attention and almost got to the point where I unloosened the top shock bolt and realized I was almost against the fender. I was lucky and was able to twist the wrench off before it was too late. You can't reverse directions with that wrench and if you pin it against something you SOL. This is not a hard job, but make sure your trike is supported well as you are really pulling on wrenches to get things loose or tightened up. Can't wait to ride it this coming week and will report on my ride.

Ride review. Just a short ride as I had stuff to do, but I can tell these shocks are far superior to the air shocks. Less jarring when bumps are hit and seems a lot more planted going in turns. I need to recheck lug nuts and will provide more feedback as I rack up some more miles. Definitely worth the investment.

Great to hear you got it done and are enjoying the improve ride quality. :)

After I put them on I was able to go much faster the curves, since it is more planted, and Mary asked if I was going to always be going faster thru the curves. :laugh:

Thank you for triple emphasizing getting the bike secure on the jack stands. This is really important whenever the Trike is off the ground and you are under it!

Kevin

The more I ride the Free with the new shocks the better it gets. Much smoother action on bumpy roads and definitely better in the turns.

What brand did ya get?

Rebound settings changed? Spring dial in adjusting done?

Courious mind wants to know as my Pro-actions are jumpy .:Shrug:

[QUOTE=1dn5up;463191]What brand did ya get?

Rebound settings changed? Spring dial in adjusting done?

Courious mind wants to know as my Pro-actions are jumpy .:Shrug:[/QUOTE]

I don't know if he got the [URL="http://www.dkcustomproducts.com/Rear-Shocks_c651.htm"]Twin-Adjustable or the Pro-Action.[/URL]

But if your PA's are jumpy you should increase the rebound damping with the clicker...if that does not get rid of the jumpiness, then you have too much pre-load on the springs and should back them off a turn or two. This will give you a smoother/plusher ride.

Kevin

Twin Adjustable base on Kevin's review that ride-wise they were the same. I like the lever to adjust compression versus having to use a screwdriver. Also I'm cheap :D