How To Rebuild a Motorcycle Shock

Motorcycle Shock Rebuild Parts & Tools:

In this video Justin goes over the proper procedures and steps to rebuilding the rear shock on a motorcycle. Knowing how to do this job yourself can be a huge time and money saver over taking your machine to a shop, but tearing into your bike can be intimidating without the right tools and know-how. This video aims to make that process easier, so follow along as we rebuild the rear shock on a motorcycle. The steps shown here will be very similar for other motorcycle and ATV shocks.

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[Altair]

Hiya from the UK! Thanks for these videos you guys have made, they make life so much easier when you see how stuff is put together! You've saved me so many times from making mistakes 😂

[TnADoStuff]

Thank you for the video! I'm rebuilding my yz426f rear shock and forks with stronger springs so I can do bigger jumps and not bottom out, and they needed new soft parts anyway. This was my first shock rebuild so I have a few words of advice for others to avoid my mistakes, which can be seen in a soon to be posted video:
1. I'd recommend going ahead and removing the valve stem first thing, it makes the step of pushing the seal down easier so you don't have to worry about building pressure.
2. The Bladder is attached to the bladder cap; I used air to press the cap out and it popped out and didn't realize there were supposed to be attached.
3. Don't neglect to remove the peening from the top of the bolt. I tried to simply use an impact and destroyed the threads. I repaired them with a m12-175 die but I couldn't get 30 ft-lbs on those threads so I got as much as I could and welded the nut on cause I can't get a replacement fast enough for my trip!
4. A battery powered inflator or 12v car inflator works well for putting pressure on the bladder.
5. Don't get the bump stop and Seal cover placed wrong way around! I accidentally did. I wasn't about to remove the piston again (and couldn't have disassembled it anyway cause of welding the nut on) so used a hot knife to cut the bump stop off and re-attach it back in the correct place. It isn't pretty but should work and I'll still be able to ride in 2 days!

[jonganzer]

THANK YOU!! Clear, organized, complete, and totally well done. Thanks for taking time to put this together and help out a lot of people!

[jordonbradford]

Hi Rocky MTN. I got my parts this afternoon for my 2016 YZ 250. I had a badly leaking rear seal so a service was necessary. I had the shock off and sitting on my work bench until the specialty tools and parts arrived. I took my time, followed this video step by step in my garage and about 1 to 1.5 hrs later I was done. I will get the nitrogen in the next couple days then I can slap it back into my bike. I really appreciate your time making this video to help me learn my bike better and save some serious cash. Great job!!!

[dogsandwich]

Excellent video!
Thank you for convincing me to sell this dirt bike lol I literally put the forks back on this morning, now the rear shock has a leak. Like a puddle. I think it got jealous of the fronts getting rebuilt.
What a process!
Its a 2006 RM85 that I'm working on. Im counting on the rear shock to be a little more, Chinese, than the one you've rebuilt here, and thus, maybe simpler to dissect.

[davidmcguinness-kzkb]

What a great editorial!!! Very thorough! These boys have saved the day for me and taught me heaps so many times now!!! Thank you so much!! 👍

[rexstonbull]

you can hear this guy talking perfectly describes every thing perfect brilliant video.

[Dobemandan]

This method of filling and bleeding is sooo much easier then using the compression adjuster port as shown in another video. This was fast and easy!! Thanks!!

[amcgee-dlcj]

justin's video is also good and constructive for many folks who would never consider opening up a shock to wach and understand that this is not for them however they still get to look over the shoulder of a pro like justin and watch along. good video justin nicely edited also.

[michaelbyrne]

Not only is this a great video on how to work on a shock, it is an excellent primer on how to make a how-to video. Excellent camera angles, great timing on the voice-over.l This is a pleasure to watch!

[mikelatx]

Really nice video. Helpfull. Just a tip. The nut in kayaba is not standard M14 2mm pitch. It is 1, 5mm thread pitch

[ricardoguerra]

Here in 2021, Excellent video, Gives me a new faith in Mankind in General, People can be Generous with their knowledge and share with the rest of the public...then others can be the opposite of Generous. Rocky Mountain ATV are the best of the best. 5 STARS in parts and service.

[Daschickenify]

Very cool to see this process! I was briefly an assembly worker at Fox Shocks, so some of this looks familiar. Now to rebuild some shocks!

[dickjones]

That was one of the best videos I have ever saw. Everything was clear, well thought out and all camera angles were correct to show exactly what was being talked about as each part was described. I think a person who has never held a wrench in their hand could have a good chance with that video. Very well done.

[ronanrogers]

You’re the first American I’ve heard who’s called it a circlip. Great video, thanks.

[reconalpha]

great instructional video. Amazing how the internet has made things that used to intimidating very doable. Thanks RM. Ive been ordering a lot of tools and parts lately from you and they get here quick. BRAAAP on

[AbcAbc-oxpg]

10:39 Does the tightening torque of the nut affect damping characteristic, is it an adjustment of the shim preload or doesn't matter if I torque a little bit more or less?

[nickyxrourke]

hi from the UK. just used this video to help replace the seal on a kyb shock off my klx 250. really easy to follow with no rushing through. rebuilt and back on the trails. thankyou Rocky Mountain. Nick.

[rmatvmc]

@Poop On-i-JUNKs 1. I haven't had a chance to tear into one of the newer shocks yet but there should be someway to connect or attach a tool to pull the bladder out. Have you removed the retaining ring?
2. There is really no way to get absolutely 100% of the air out. The goal is to remove as much as possible and tapping and running it through the stoke as shown in the video will help with this.
3. No, definitely do not drill anything
4. Explained with question 2
5. This is affected by too many different variables to have one setting for your bike. I would start with stock settings and the recommended oil and adjust to your conditions from there. 
Thanks for watching!

[husq]

You guys are awesome and your videos are very helpful! Just did my shock with help from this video and it came out great!