Let’s be honest here, this is not the right or best or quickest way to do it, but if there is a need for a quick or cheap fix when in trouble or whatever, this approach can be used very much successfully. Using the ratchet strap method takes a bit longer than special tools obviously but gets the job done.
Warning! Great care should be taken! I do not suggest using this method and I highly recommend using special spring compression tools, and when working with compressed springs under no circumstances it should be pointed at anyone and no ones tentacles should be positioned between compressed spring and something else, because if the tool (or in this case ratchet strap) fails – someone will have a very very bad day. Take care, keep your fingers out and do it at your own risk!
Ok, so that being said and hopefully understood, first thing first – we need to remove the rear shock of the bike. I will not cover that here, as it varies from bike to bike, even though it’s attached only by two bolts most of the time- at the top and at the bottom. In some cases, the gas cylinder will be located somewhere else, and in that case it has to come out with a shock as one whole unit.
Once shock is off the bike, it’s probably a good idea to give it a good clean before working on it, or at least wind the setting to the softest setting to take as much pressure off the spring as possible. It’s a good time to push the rubber bumper and whatever else is there – out of the way too.
To compress the spring with a ratchet strap is not a hard job, but the straps themselves must be strong enough and positioned just right. My favourite way is to fit a long metal rod through the top shocks mounting hole (in pictures used a big ass allen key), wrap the strap around spring coils a couple of times in a zigzag pattern.
One ratchet strap on one side, and the other one directly on the other side. Positioning them closer to each other will force the spring to bend, and that’s not what we want to achieve here.
Strapping coils should be done in a way that the ratchet pulls the coils towards the upper mounting hole (or away from the retaining ring at the bottom of it) both ratchet straps at the same time or just a little bit on each side at the time till pressure of the retaining ring is relieved and there is big enough gap to push the retaining ring slightly in and out.
Releasing the ratchet strap of the spring can be a bit of a pain in the bum… Nevertheless, that should be done with care too, a bit on each side at the time, one click at the time!
Well, and fitting everything back is exactly the same process as taking it apart, just in reverse – literally!
One thing to look out for, when releasing straps with new spring on the shock – make sure to release it slowly and without bending as the new spring or retaining ring might not sit properly and where it should.! And for the last time – watch those tentacles and Happy Ratcheting!
Explore More!
A list of posts about Bike Maintenance and General Modifications that might be Interesting to know!
General Modifications:
- Throttle Tamer Mods (4 ways to tame your horse!)
- Projector headlight conversion from right side road traffic to left and vice versa.
- How to make your own Exhaust or how to modify an existing one.
- Power Commander (PCV) and Thoughts on it.
- Brake Snake / Pedal Anchor – why and how!
- Lighter Clutch Mods:
- How to make motorcycles Cable Clutch lighter! (Part 1/3)
- Cheap ways to make your motorcycles clutch lighter! (Part 2/3)
- How to make a Hydraulic clutch lighter on your motorcycle! (Part 3/3)
- How to make Custom Clutch or Throttle Cables – Easier than you thought!
- How to make clutch lever lighter (Yamaha XT660Z Tenere Specific)
- Rear Suspension and Drive-Train:
- How to extend the life of Cush-Drive rubbers.
- The dangers of motorcycle lowering links, Important things to know!
- How to swap rear shock spring with no special tools!
- The Best Motorcycle chain lube!
- How to set motorcycle chain slack when suspension is not standard?
- How To Remove Stubborn And Hard To Reach Chain Adjuster Bolt
- The List of Most Useless Adventure Motorcycle Mods And Bling!
- Dangers of the lowering kits (things to know before Lowering your Bike!
Bike Maintenance:
- How to pass MOT the first time – every time!
- How to Maintain your motorcycle Locks (works with all locks!)
- Best Suspension Bearing Grease!
- What grease to use on your motorcycle?
- How to shorten Life of your wheel bearings! (Or what not to do to them!)
- Why should you grease your bolts! (And not only Bearings!)
- What is the best Chain Lube for your motorcycle?
- How to buy used Motorcycle – Free Guide.
