V-Rod rear suspension repair
This is only a sort-of, how to. more of a proof of concept, that it can be done......
Supposedly, it's not possible to change a V-Rod left rear motor mount, without pulling the engine first. If there's an easier way I am going to find it, and I did. This all started when I blew out a rear shock on a ride.
oil on shock
So after seven years the shocks go back for it's life time warranty, and while it's apart I might as well check out the swingarm bearings.
shock off
the right stuff
Bearings we're a bit loose after seven years of goat trails, and the motor mounts were distorted. The right motor mount just un-bolts, the left motor mount is wedged between the frame and the engine. The forums and the service manual say to pull the engine. I say there's got to be an easier way. And there was!
right rear
After the swingarm is off, let the engine rest all the way downin the frame. Pop the wires off the neutral safety switch, disconnect the engine torque rod, take the bolts out of the right lower frame section, and radiator crossbar to the frame section, and just loosen the top frame rail section bolts. The perfect tool to spread the motor from the frame turned out to be a Brake caliper spreader.
Spreader
As you can see motor mounts are no longer concentric and and are sagging sideways.
mount
mount sag
The old mount came out, the new mount just dropped right in.
mount in place
I Pressed in a new set of swingarm bearings, aligned the engine.
align engine
Reinstall the swingarm.
Swingarm
Measure for the new shock lenght (going taller this time) (13.5" 444's)
shock spec
then reinstall the wheel.
wheel on
and now I wait for the shocks to come back from the factory.
I am so Jones-ing for a ride! Not sure if I can take it much longer....
jones-ing
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@Marina I upgraded to progressive suspension when the bike was still new. They come with a lifetime warranty on all of their high-end models. The trick is, you must have the original receipt. Being a packrat, I had mine in a file box. π thing is , I had forgotten about the warranty until they reminded me, when I called them to see if they can still be rebuilt. The 440,s are out of production so they're replacing them with 444's.
Thanks for posting. You have a seven year warranty on shocks. Does that mean I do too? I have learnt sooo much!
For my next trick, I will adjust the valves and blueprint the valves shims, without pulling the engine. Oh wait, I've already done that a couple of times. π I think anything is possible if you're lazy enough, I mean determined enough........