Rear Shock Problem

[chinaguy]

I wanted to adjust the rear shock on my HSUN GY 200. The owner's manual says the "the rear 'cushions' have 5 positions to be adjusted". Not true. The bottom of the shock frame is threaded and the preload can be adjusted by turning a collar up or down. Like a dope I decided instead of pounding the adjustment collar with a hammer and punch, I would remove the shock and put it a vise to turn the collar with a monkey wrench and then reinstall. Well, it was a good idea until I went to reinstall the shock. The bike dropped down and won't even stay propped up on the kickstand. I guess I'm going to have to get a hydraulic jack, and even then I don't know how I'm gonna return the suspension to its original height to get the shock to fit back in. (When my son and I lifted the back of the bike up, it didn't drop down any.)

Anybody else have this happen? Any solutions?

[TeamCheap]

With one of these BIKE STANDS you should be able to set the bike up on it and the rear swing arm should drop down to allow you to get the shock back up in there and then with a helper or a rachet tie down you could hold it in position to get the bolts back in.

The stands are nice to help adjust and lube the chain.Plus you can sit on it when just working on or cleaning the bike.

[chinaguy]

Thanks for the tip on the stands, T.C. I think I'm gonna pop for a lift though, because the bike's too heavy to lift up. Once it's up, I think I can wiggle the shock into position.

A decent hydraulic lift is not a whole lot more than one of the stands, and I will probably be using it for a lot of other maintenance on the bike. I remember on my Jap bikes they usually had a center stand that you could rock the bike up on and it would lift the rear wheel off the ground. No need for a jack or stand. I'm not sure if that was the good old days or not.

[alonzo]

or you could be super redneck an buy a small hydralic floor jack and do this.

for the up rights you need 4x4 blocks to keep them...... upright .


total cost 20 dollars for the floorjack, "the wood was leftover from other projects."





[/img]

[chinaguy]

Man, I REALLY like that idea!!

[partsdude]

I found an awesome hydraulic scissor lift "dirt bike" jack @ Princess Auto (you Canadians out there know Princess). It was only $110, it lifts "up to" 350 lbs and it's on castors so you can move it with the bike mounted to it. The absolute BEST part is, the sucker lifts the bike 3 FEET in the air, so I can sit in my lawn chair and work on the bike which for me is very important, due to a bad back. I have bought a few of them, they're great for storing the bikes over the cold, Canadian winter months. :roll:

[hunter]

harbour freight has one for sale for 60.00 1500 lb i have one works good

[chinaguy]

Originally Posted by hunter

harbour freight has one for sale for 60.00 1500 lb i have one works good

I checked Harbor Freight's website and all I saw was a jack for $89.99.

Do you have a link to the one you have?

[TeamCheap]

I bought one of the motorcycle stands from harbor freight and it works OK.
I can put it up on the bike stand easily by myself by just setting it next to the bike on the right side and then leaning the bike up on the kick stand and scooting the stand under the bike and then wiggle/work the bike up unto the bike stand.

There are so many types of motorcycle stands out there and I guess I even could build one but it was faster/easier to just buy one.
I did build a simple motorcycle lift/rack that gets the whole bike up to make it easy to work on though.

I stay away from the hydraulic lifts just because I dont think the cheap ones are worth the hassle and I'm to cheap to get an expensive one.

The manual trans jack works OK(Scissor style).

These little bikes (they weigh less than 300lbs) dont really need a center stand on them and would probably cause an accident when riding off road if it swung down coming off a jump.

[IronFist]

My next door neighbor threw out a hydraulic car jack. I have a center stand on my bike but I need a jack to lift the front tire when servicing. I asked her if I could have it. She was thrilled that I could use it. I was using a piece of soapstone to prop up the front. Bit expensive, and kinda heavy but it worked well.

[chinaguy]

Well, I broke down and bought an ATV/motorcycle jack. $79.00 at Auto Zone. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet. I thought the price was pretty good. 1500 lb. capacity, 4 wheels - two on casters.

I'm anxious to see, once I get the bike lifted up, if the swing arm will drop down so I can get the shock back in. It wouldn't come down when my kid lifted the back end and I pushed down on the wheel, so we'll see. I'll keep you posted.

Here's a pic of the jack:

[alonzo]

Originally Posted by chinaguy

Well, I broke down and bought an ATV/motorcycle jack. $79.00 at Auto Zone. I haven't even taken it out of the box yet. I thought the price was pretty good. 1500 lb. capacity, 4 wheels - two on casters.

I'm anxious to see, once I get the bike lifted up, if the swing arm will drop down so I can get the shock back in. It wouldn't come down when my kid lifted the back end and I pushed down on the wheel, so we'll see. I'll keep you posted.

Here's a pic of the jack:

dang! that looks like the best thing I have seen so far, However, IMO I have more points on creativty

The only issue with mine is it is a little wobbly until you get the uprights in position. note: "Operate floor jack with one hand, hold bike steady with other"

[tigertamer]

Originally Posted by alonzo

dang! that looks like the best thing I have seen so far, However, IMO I have more points on creativty

The only issue with mine is it is a little wobbly until you get the uprights in position. note: "Operate floor jack with one hand, hold bike steady with other"

More points on affordability too 8)
Tigertamer

[chinaguy]

The jack works great, and BTW it was made in China, now if I can just get the bike back together I'll be all set.

I jacked the bike up and the swingarm still doesn't drop down. I'm thinking maybe the chain is holding it up?

[tigertamer]

It is not that difficult to remove the chain. Take it off and try again.

I wanted to increase the R spring tension on mine also but I didn't know it would be a royal PITA.

Hey, look at the bright side...You are now the :arrow: JACK of all trades!

Tigertamer