Uni Trak Shock Linkage Lubrication: Difference between revisions

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[[Category:Suspension]]

Tools needed:

This service is often ignored, but is very important. The bike shown here was only 14 months old (a 2006 in 2007) with 13,700 miles. This should be done at the same time that the [[Servicing the swingarm|swingarm lubrication]] is performed (6000 miles), but the trained monkey was asleep at the wheel when his swingarm service was performed, so 7000 miles later here we are. If you are going to do one or the other, do the unitrak first; it sees much more of the elements than the swingarm, as the pictures below seem to show.

'''Tools needed:'''

*Suitable jack, jack stands and/or other means of supporting the bike safely without the centerstand and with the rear wheel off the ground.

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*Lots of towels

'''Caution:''' There are better/safer ways to do this than shown here. Use EXTREME CAUTION when supporting the bike in this manner, or serious injury could result. Ideally, someone to steady the bike would have been helpful but 'cheap labor' was not available for this article.

'''Caution:''' There are better/safer ways to do this than shown here. Use EXTREME CAUTION when supporting the bike in this manner, or serious injury could result. Ideally, someone to steady the bike would have been helpful, but 'cheap labor' was not available for this article.

'''Why jackstands?''' The bolt that holds the suspension linkage to the frame will not clear the center stand. The center stand does not need to be removed, just in the 'up' position. When it is 'down' it covers the front bolt on the linkage. If you can find a secure way to hold up the rear of the bike using the grab bar, go ahead. Using secondary support with jackstands (as described) and a jack under the engine is still highly recommended. The straps on the front are for stabilizing the bike only; don't lift it by the bars.

[[image:EX250_SuspensionMaintenance_05.jpg|150px]]

'''~~Please note~~''': This service should be done at the same time that the [[Servicing the swingarm|swingarm lubrication]] is performed, but the trained monkey was asleep at the wheel when his swingarm service was performed, so 7000 miles later here we are. If you are going to do one or the other, do the unitrak first; it sees much more of the elements than the swingarm, as the pictures below seem to show.

'''Here goes:'''

1) Remove the mufflers (12 and 14mm nuts/bolts) and passenger footpegs.

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[[Image:TheStand.jpg|150px]] [[Image:TheStandStrikesBack.jpg|150px]]

8) Remove the unitrak (19mm x 3) ~~nuts~~.

8) Remove the unitrak nuts (19mm x 3).

9) Support the wheel/tire with your hand and lift while removing the lower shock bolt. Ease the tire back to the ground. Once the shock is disconnected, the linkage can be moved around with ease to remove the remaining two bolts.

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11) The Service Manual shows an outer sleeve (bushing) around the inner sleeves you just removed, but it seems unnecessary to remove these for 'normal' service. Even with as bad as these were (you'll see) the bushing cleaned up nice and smooth, so they were left in place.

12) Once the sleeves and seals are out, it's time to start cleaning. Here is where the supply of towels and kerosene come in handy.

12) Once the sleeves and seals are out, it's time to start cleaning. Here is where the supply of towels and kerosene come in handy. This photo also shows the seals discussed in step 10.

[[Image:OldSmellyGrease.jpg|150px]]

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23) Once the bike is on the centerstand fully, remove the floor jack.

24) Tighten all of the linkage nuts you can get to to ~~33ft~~ lbs torque. You may need to put a wrench on the bolt head to hold it. One of the nuts, and maybe more, will be blocked by the centerstand. For these, put the bike on the sidestand to finish torquing.

24) Tighten all the linkage nuts that you can get to to 33 ft-lbs torque. You may need to put a wrench on the bolt head to hold it. One of the nuts, and maybe more, will be blocked by the centerstand. For these, put the bike on the sidestand to finish torquing.

25) Reinstall the mufflers and passenger footpegs.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[Category:Suspension]]
-Tools needed:
+This service is often ignored, but is very important. The bike shown here was only 14 months old (a 2006 in 2007) with 13,700 miles. This should be done at the same time that the [[Servicing the swingarm|swingarm lubrication]] is performed (6000 miles), but the trained monkey was asleep at the wheel when his swingarm service was performed, so 7000 miles later here we are.  If you are going to do one or the other, do the unitrak first; it sees much more of the elements than the swingarm, as the pictures below seem to show.
+'''Tools needed:'''
 *Suitable jack, jack stands and/or other means of supporting the bike safely without the centerstand and with the rear wheel off the ground.
@@ Line 10: / Line 12: @@
 *Lots of towels
-'''Caution:''' There are better/safer ways to do this than shown here. Use EXTREME CAUTION when supporting the bike in this manner, or serious injury could result.  Ideally, someone to steady the bike would have been helpful but 'cheap labor' was not available for this article.
+'''Caution:''' There are better/safer ways to do this than shown here. Use EXTREME CAUTION when supporting the bike in this manner, or serious injury could result.  Ideally, someone to steady the bike would have been helpful, but 'cheap labor' was not available for this article.
+'''Why jackstands?''' The bolt that holds the suspension linkage to the frame will not clear the center stand. The center stand does not need to be removed, just in the 'up' position. When it is 'down' it covers the front bolt on the linkage. If you can find a secure way to hold up the rear of the bike using the grab bar, go ahead. Using secondary support with jackstands (as described) and a jack under the engine is still highly recommended. The straps on the front are for stabilizing the bike only; don't lift it by the bars.
+[[image:EX250_SuspensionMaintenance_05.jpg|150px]]
-'''Please note''': This service should be done at the same time that the [[Servicing the swingarm|swingarm lubrication]] is performed, but the trained monkey was asleep at the wheel when his swingarm service was performed, so 7000 miles later here we are.  If you are going to do one or the other, do the unitrak first; it sees much more of the elements than the swingarm, as the pictures below seem to show.
+'''Here goes:'''
 ) Remove the mufflers (12 and 14mm nuts/bolts) and passenger footpegs.
@@ Line 32: / Line 38: @@
 [[Image:TheStand.jpg|150px]]  [[Image:TheStandStrikesBack.jpg|150px]]
-) Remove the unitrak (19mm x 3) nuts.
+) Remove the unitrak nuts (19mm x 3).
 ) Support the wheel/tire with your hand and lift while removing the lower shock bolt.  Ease the tire back to the ground.  Once the shock is disconnected, the linkage can be moved around with ease to remove the remaining two bolts.
@@ Line 42: / Line 48: @@
 ) The Service Manual shows an outer sleeve (bushing) around the inner sleeves you just removed, but it seems unnecessary to remove these for 'normal' service. Even with as bad as these were (you'll see) the bushing cleaned up nice and smooth, so they were left in place.
-) Once the sleeves and seals are out, it's time to start cleaning. Here is where the supply of towels and kerosene come in handy.
+) Once the sleeves and seals are out, it's time to start cleaning. Here is where the supply of towels and kerosene come in handy. This photo also shows the seals discussed in step 10.
 [[Image:OldSmellyGrease.jpg|150px]]
@@ Line 76: / Line 82: @@
 ) Once the bike is on the centerstand fully, remove the floor jack.
-) Tighten all of the linkage nuts you can get to to 33ft lbs torque.  You may need to put a wrench on the bolt head to hold it. One of the nuts, and maybe more, will be blocked by the centerstand.  For these, put the bike on the sidestand to finish torquing.
+) Tighten all the linkage nuts that you can get to to 33 ft-lbs torque.  You may need to put a wrench on the bolt head to hold it. One of the nuts, and maybe more, will be blocked by the centerstand.  For these, put the bike on the sidestand to finish torquing.
 ) Reinstall the mufflers and passenger footpegs.