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These are V-Star 1300 links from Dennis kirk. part # 583525 $52. When I resized the pics, they turned out goofy. Oh well.
Tools Needed
17mm wrenches (2) A gearwrench works super Awesome
Long Punch
One extra person (to help balance the bike and to lift the rear up and down)
If you want to pull the shock Bolt out (you don't Have to)
19mm wrench
14mm Socket and Ratchet
Step 1: Raise the Bike up. If you don't have a lift, I wouldn't Advise doing it at all.
Step 2: Pull the nuts off of the bolts that go through the links. 17mm. Yes they are super tight! Use a cheater wrench if you need to.
Step 3: Get a helper (to lift the swing arm and tire Up) or stick a long 2x4 between the tire and the ground. (see pic) Wiggle and pry the Left outer Link off. You can disconnect the shock if you want, but you cant get the bolt out because it hits the right link. I twisted the bottom of my shock 180 degrees and reinstalled the bolt so its easy to get out if need be.
Step 4: The lower bolt needs to come out first. It will not Come out all of the way UNLESS you tap it out a bit, (use a long punch or pry with a screwdriver) and grab the inner pin bushing and pull the bishing out to the left an inch. The lower bolt will NOT come out unless you do this. It hits the right side frame. (see pic)
You will need to wiggle the swing arm up and down to wiggle the lower bolt out.
Step 5: Upper Bolt removal. Lift the Swing arm/tire up high enough so that the upper bolt clears the Coolant reservoir. Stack a couple 2x4's between the tire and Ground to hold it up. Then you can pull the upper bolt out. YAY!
****Now is the perfect time to tighten up the spring**** See added instructions below
Step 6: Exactly in reverse. Install the Right link starting with the Top bolt installed. READ the directions with the link kit or refer to my pics.
Step 7: Install the lower bolt into the desired lowering position. Mine I did the 2 inch lowered setting. Make sure the pin bushing is sticking out still, otherwise you cant get the bolt in due to hitting the frame. Again, lift the swing arm/tire up to wiggle the stuff in.
Step 8: Put the Left link on. (Super easy!)
Step 9: Tighten the heck out of the bolts. Done!
It may be a bit fun getting the lift back out due to the Lowered Frame.
If you aren't comfortable trying to balance the bike etc, have someone help! Its not worth tipping your $11k bike over cause you think you can do it. Accidents do happen.
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Tools Needed
17mm wrenches (2) A gearwrench works super Awesome
Long Punch
One extra person (to help balance the bike and to lift the rear up and down)
If you want to pull the shock Bolt out (you don't Have to)
19mm wrench
14mm Socket and Ratchet
Step 1: Raise the Bike up. If you don't have a lift, I wouldn't Advise doing it at all.
Step 2: Pull the nuts off of the bolts that go through the links. 17mm. Yes they are super tight! Use a cheater wrench if you need to.
Step 3: Get a helper (to lift the swing arm and tire Up) or stick a long 2x4 between the tire and the ground. (see pic) Wiggle and pry the Left outer Link off. You can disconnect the shock if you want, but you cant get the bolt out because it hits the right link. I twisted the bottom of my shock 180 degrees and reinstalled the bolt so its easy to get out if need be.
Step 4: The lower bolt needs to come out first. It will not Come out all of the way UNLESS you tap it out a bit, (use a long punch or pry with a screwdriver) and grab the inner pin bushing and pull the bishing out to the left an inch. The lower bolt will NOT come out unless you do this. It hits the right side frame. (see pic)
You will need to wiggle the swing arm up and down to wiggle the lower bolt out.
Step 5: Upper Bolt removal. Lift the Swing arm/tire up high enough so that the upper bolt clears the Coolant reservoir. Stack a couple 2x4's between the tire and Ground to hold it up. Then you can pull the upper bolt out. YAY!
****Now is the perfect time to tighten up the spring**** See added instructions below
Step 6: Exactly in reverse. Install the Right link starting with the Top bolt installed. READ the directions with the link kit or refer to my pics.
Step 7: Install the lower bolt into the desired lowering position. Mine I did the 2 inch lowered setting. Make sure the pin bushing is sticking out still, otherwise you cant get the bolt in due to hitting the frame. Again, lift the swing arm/tire up to wiggle the stuff in.
Step 8: Put the Left link on. (Super easy!)
Step 9: Tighten the heck out of the bolts. Done!
It may be a bit fun getting the lift back out due to the Lowered Frame.
If you aren't comfortable trying to balance the bike etc, have someone help! Its not worth tipping your $11k bike over cause you think you can do it. Accidents do happen.
