RX3 Shock Sox Install

Tiger12XC · 03-22-2016, 02:11 PM

Last week I was going over both RX3's tightening, lubing, and cleaning. I found that the allen bolt heads where stripped out on my wife's RX3 and mine where loose. I wanted to take them off to clean the front fork seals. I ended up breaking the fork covers on the white RX3 to get them off then had to get the bolts out with vise grips, not really a big deal for me as secretly I was looking for a reason to replace or remove them. As stylish as they are they don't do a great job at keeping the fork tubes clean or protected where the seals ride. You can see the line in the photo below as to how far down the seals ride on the fork tubes. Here is a link to the install video from Shock Sox explaining the installation and purpose and link to the ones I purchased. The Shock Sox Come in many colors but we like the black sox. After watching the video again I need to raise the Shock Sox up a bit.
http://www.amazon.com/SHOCK-FORK-6-B...ilpage_o01_s00

jbfla · 03-22-2016, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger12XC

..... I ended up breaking the fork covers on the white RX3 to get them off then had to get the bolts out with vise grips....

http://www.amazon.com/SHOCK-FORK-6-B...ilpage_o01_s00

I had the same problem with the super tight bolt on the left fork protector.

The ball end of the ball-end hex wrench broke off in the socket head bolt.

I haven't had a chance to try to drill it out.

As a last resort, I may have to do as you did, and break the plastic protector to get at the bolt.

jb

Tiger12XC · 03-22-2016, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbfla

http://www.amazon.com/SHOCK-FORK-6-B...ilpage_o01_s00

I had the same problem with the super tight bolt on the left fork protector.

The ball end of the ball-end hex wrench broke off in the socket head bolt.

I haven't had a chance to try to drill it out.

As a last resort, I may have to do as you did, and break the plastic protector to get at the bolt.

jb

I moved the post to a new thread so it wouldn't get lost in this one. I am puzzled as to why they torque some of these bolts down to the point that it strips out the head and others are loose enough to take out by hand. I would have tried to drill the head out but I was done fiddling with the covers.

Post moved to RX3 Shock Sox Install.

jbfla · 03-22-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger12XC

I moved the post to a new thread so it wouldn't get lost in this one. I am puzzled as to why they torque some of these bolts down to the point that it strips out the head and others are loose enough to take out by hand. I would have tried to drill the head out but I was done fiddling with the covers.

Post moved to RX3 Shock Sox Install.

Thank you, Tiger. I was scratching my head for moment...

jb

Jay In Milpitas · 03-22-2016, 02:33 PM

Like the look.

Tiger12XC · 03-22-2016, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jay In Milpitas

Like the look.

Jay is it your RX3 or Detours that removed the lower covers? I saw that and had to get them off the bike I love the way it looks without them.

Jay In Milpitas · 03-22-2016, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tiger12XC

Jay is it your RX3 or Detours that removed the lower covers? I saw that and had to get them off the bike I love the way it looks without them.

Not mine.

Tiger12XC · 03-22-2016, 02:47 PM

Found the pic it was Detours Red RX3. And just noticed the front fender missing, must be for strapping purposes.

rojo_grande · 03-22-2016, 04:01 PM

I hauled Detours bike out to CSC and back when I went out for the Baja ride.

The lower fender is moved up (under the beak) to allow the wheel chocks to slide over the front wheel and lock it into position. The shock covers were removed. I think Detours is going to re-install them.

I must've gotten lucky on Marzhere's Orange bike when I removed the shock covers. They were tight but not overly tight and not stripped.

Rojo

SpudRider · 03-22-2016, 04:13 PM

I was also fortunate not to have any problems with the bolts securing the lower fork guards.

The Shock Sox look good.

detours · 03-22-2016, 05:45 PM

When rojo_grande and I took the fork covers off, we had no trouble with the bolts either. It does look good without them, so I may leave them off.

jbfla · 03-22-2016, 05:49 PM

Protectorless right fork on naked RX3.

jb

Tiger12XC · 03-23-2016, 09:44 AM

When I finally got the bolts out with vise grips the threads where distorted a bit and the plastics are pretty brittle. I was hoping to pop the plastic off of the rubber without cracking anything but the right side broke into three pieces and the left side in half as I pulled them over the rubber grommet. The covers look kinda mopedish on the RX3. I like the covers on the TT 250 much better.

03-22-2016, 04:01 PM	#9
rojo_grande Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Weston, CO & Sangre de Cristos Posts: 240	I hauled Detours bike out to CSC and back when I went out for the Baja ride. The lower fender is moved up (under the beak) to allow the wheel chocks to slide over the front wheel and lock it into position. The shock covers were removed. I think Detours is going to re-install them. I must've gotten lucky on Marzhere's Orange bike when I removed the shock covers. They were tight but not overly tight and not stripped. Rojo __________________ '15 RX3 (Rojo's) '15 RX3 (marzhere's) '16 TT250
	0

03-22-2016, 04:13 PM	#10
SpudRider Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Idaho Posts: 25,054	I was also fortunate not to have any problems with the bolts securing the lower fork guards. The Shock Sox look good. __________________ Spud "Never argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level, and beat you with experience." Mark Twain 2015 Zongshen ZS250GY-3 (RX3) 2006 Zongshen ZS200GY-2 (Sierra 200) 2005 Honda XR650L 2004 Honda CRF250X 1998 Kawasaki KDX220 Mods made to my Zongshen ZS200GY-2: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=6894
	0

03-22-2016, 05:45 PM	#11
detours Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Arvada, CO Posts: 1,004	When rojo_grande and I took the fork covers off, we had no trouble with the bolts either. It does look good without them, so I may leave them off. __________________ Red 5 standing by! 2015 CSC red RX3 with 19" front wheel, Shinko 804/805, skid plate, tall seat, 13T/45T sprockets, progressive shock, Winyoochanok windshield, GENSSI LED headlight, SW-Motech tankbag, Shorai Lithium battery 2014 Ural Patrol
	0

03-22-2016, 05:49 PM	#12
jbfla Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: FL, GA, NC Posts: 771	Protectorless right fork on naked RX3. jb __________________ 2016 Honda CB500F......2017 Triumph Street Twin 2014 XT 250........
	0

03-22-2016, 02:33 PM	#5
Jay In Milpitas Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Milpitas, CA. USA Posts: 775	Like the look.
	0

03-23-2016, 09:44 AM	#13
Tiger12XC Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 146	When I finally got the bolts out with vise grips the threads where distorted a bit and the plastics are pretty brittle. I was hoping to pop the plastic off of the rubber without cracking anything but the right side broke into three pieces and the left side in half as I pulled them over the rubber grommet. The covers look kinda mopedish on the RX3. I like the covers on the TT 250 much better.
	0