Ordered a side mount plate holder for the wife's vrod and I need to remove the lower shock bolt. I don't have a bike jack and was wondering if I need to get one and lift the bike to remove the bolt to install the plate holder or if I can do it on the ground. Thanks for your help.

 

you should be able to do it on the ground. you're only removing one side, and the other side should support it just fine.

 

You are going to get some compression on the remaining shock when you disconnect the one. The bike will sit a bit lower which will make it difficult to reinstall the shock. You will need something to at least lift the bike to reattach the shock to the bike.

 

Thanks guys. I appreciate the input. Just wanted to check before I had the bike apart and discover that I should have used a jack.

 

you could add 2x4's and shims under the frame before you unbolt the shock and it'll hold it in one place after the shock is unbolted

 

Or turn up the preload setting on the one shock your not unbolting. I wouldn't think there would be enough sag to cause too much trouble re-installing the one bolt.

 

i've switched from the 12'' air shocks to the 12'' premium hand adjustable, and back a couple of times and have never had any problem with compression on the shock keeping me from installing the shock. BUT, if the op does have a jack, it would be preferable to take some of the weight off the rear tire and to hold the bike upright......

 

Or you could stop by Sears or Harbor Freight and b uy a cheap jack. You have 2 motorcycles, I assume you'll want one sooner or later.