Motorcycle Repair: replacing shock for a 1996 kawi-v-800A, vent tube, nut and bolt

Question
My kawi-volkan, is a 1996 V-800A. I was riding and hit a pot whole.  The shok was totaaly gone.  The bike came down and now the rear fender sets on top of the rear wheel.  I took the rear fender off. I removed the side cover and the box, now I have access tothe shok, but I want to make sure of my next step.  Do I need to take away more parts or can I work at removingthe shock already at this stage?  I also want to know how I can get the bike up in suich a way that the rear wheel drops enough so that Ican work on replacing the shock...   please help...  Thanks  bro.  

Answer
Hi Bobby,

First remove both side covers.  Remove the three 8mm screws that hold the left side tool box on and unplug the rectifier to allow access to the upper shock bolt.  Using a drill or Dremel cut a hole in the right side compartment back panel large enough for a 17mm socket.  The hole needs to be right along the leading edge of the compartment and
centered vertically 3/4" above the top edge of the metal bracket that the carb bowl vent tube clips into.  This will allow access to the 17mm upper shock nut with a deep well socket.

Lift the rear of the bike by the frame until the rear wheel is about 1" off the ground.  Remove the lower shock nut.  Using a bar or shovel under the rear tire apply a little upward pressure on the tire to relieve the pressure on the lower shock bolt so you can pull it out.  Remove the upper shock nut and bolt.  You can now work the shock out the bottom of the bike to either side.  To reinstall simply reverse the procedure.  Use the pry bar under the rear wheel to align the swing arm and lower shock mounting holes.

The hole in the right side compartment can be plugged with a plastic plug for that purpose or just a piece of duct tape like I used.  It is easier with two people but I have removed and replaced the shock in about 15 minutes by myself.  Not quite as good as a dirt bike but pretty darn close.

NOTE; If you have a California model with the EPA junk still installed this may not work and you need to be sure you don't cut some lines before cutting through the right side compartment wall.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively