changing shocks

[scooterexpress]

i just ordered the elkas stage1+r will it be hard to remove the old and put on these new ones? anything special i need to know about this? thanks for any input. also i will then have a set of 2011 oem shocks for sale anyone intererested? i'll let the oem shocks go for 100+s/h..

 

[Sarge707]

i just ordered the elkas stage1+r will it be hard to remove the old and put on these new ones? anything special i need to know about this? thanks for any input. also i will then have a set of 2011 oem shocks for sale anyone intererested? i'll let the oem shocks go for 100+s/h..

Just moved my ELKA,s from the GS to the RT.
Unless you have the right tool you have to cut about 1/4 inch or so off the right side Plastic air horn opening (You will see it).
I ended up using a Jig Saw and Industrial Scissors?:roflblack:

I found the Preload Spring Length of 8 3/4 inches and 22 Rebound to be GREAT.. The RT is so much better with Elka,s than having the Stock shocks at #5 it isn,t even funny!!!!!!!!!!nojoke

 

[Bob Denman]

It's a very do-able project; I managed it! :thumbup:
Jack the bike up to take the weight off the wheels.
Get the right size sockets (not too tall though!) and loosen up everything.
pop the bolts out and then you'll have to wiggle the shocks around a bit to get them out of the bike
Remember kind of what you did :shocked:; putting the new ones in will be the same dance in reverse!
Tighten things down to about how much effort it took to loosen them in the first place and you'll be good to go! :2thumbs:

 

[harddrive]

I ordered the black friday sale - 2 elka 1+r fronts shocks and 1 elka 1+r rear shock. The front shocks arrived a few days after ordering.

They are very easy to put on. I drove my RT on ramps (just to give me more room to work) and then put a jack under the front to take the load off of the shocks. Unbolt and work the shock out. Then reverse the process to install the new shock. Be sure to put the elka shock in right...it will seem upside down compared to the stock shock. It took me about 15 minutes...and most of that time was getting the right tools together.

The rear just came in the other day, so I have not installed it yet.

The difference in the ride and handling is amazing. I was very skeptical...but now believe.

 

[Netminder]

Love my Elkas. You might have to do a bit of adjustments, but once you get them where you want them, they are sweeeeet!

 

[Trooper]

The biggest challenge is taking off the left side top bolt as you may have trouble wiggling it out of there because of interference with a vent trap ( I think its a vent trap, not sure). Once you get that one out, the rest of the bolts are smooth sailing. Take out the bottom ones first and then move on to the top. Oh, and when re-installing the left side top bolt, insert it from front to back to make it easier to get the nut on there, instead of trying to wiggle it back in with that interfering vent.

Make sure you install the shocks with the black rebound adjuster knob down. Installing them upside down will not allow the shock to work properly. :sour:

Regards,

John@Elka

 

[scooterexpress]

The biggest challenge is taking off the left side top bolt as you may have trouble wiggling it out of there because of interference with a vent trap ( I think its a vent trap, not sure). Once you get that one out, the rest of the bolts are smooth sailing. Take out the bottom ones first and then move on to the top. Oh, and when re-installing the left side top bolt, insert it from front to back to make it easier to get the nut on there, instead of trying to wiggle it back in with that interfering vent.

Make sure you install the shocks with the black rebound adjuster knob down. Installing them upside down will not allow the shock to work properly. :sour:

Regards,

John@Elka

thanks for the input all.i just checked my tracking #558302515000493 says it hadnt shipped yet antipated ship date was 12/17/12 and del date 12/19/12..hope this is just an error on fedex not updating there computer. question to you john i filled out that little q/a thing when i ordered the shocks do you guys adjust the shock according to the answers i gave? if so great.. then i won't need to worry about adjusting them? is there a need to cut away the plastic as indicated by the first response?.thanks

 

[Trooper]

thanks for the input all.i just checked my tracking #558302515000493 says it hadnt shipped yet antipated ship date was 12/17/12 and del date 12/19/12..hope this is just an error on fedex not updating there computer. question to you john i filled out that little q/a thing when i ordered the shocks do you guys adjust the shock according to the answers i gave? if so great.. then i won't need to worry about adjusting them? is there a need to cut away the plastic as indicated by the first response?.thanks

The shocks are sent out of the shop set up for you as much as possible, however suspension always remains somewhat subjective, and that is why they are adjustable. However, many of our customers have left them as is from the factory and have enjoyed them.

The shocks are designed to be installed without doing any cutting or altering of the vehicle.There is no need to cut any plastics to install them.

Regards

John@Elka

 

[gypsy_100]

Good Excuse for New Tools!

is there a need to cut away the plastic as indicated by the first response?.thanks

No. As the first response mentioned, "unless you have the right tools...". Just try every wrench you have, maybe buy a few new ones, and you're good to go.

 

[Troublemaker1]

Elka rear for 2010 RT

John,


Is there a step by step for installing the Elka rear shock on an Rt out there?


Steve


[email protected]

The shocks are sent out of the shop set up for you as much as possible, however suspension always remains somewhat subjective, and that is why they are adjustable. However, many of our customers have left them as is from the factory and have enjoyed them.

The shocks are designed to be installed without doing any cutting or altering of the vehicle.There is no need to cut any plastics to install them.

Regards

John@Elka

 

[ulflyer]

Suggest you consider keeping the old ones to put back on some day when you trade in the existing machine. Good for resell or reinstall on new machine. I sold mine. Wish I hadn't.

Same with OEM anti-sway bars if your install Ronbars. I left mine at the dealer!!!!