Hello I was wondering if anyone new a good way to adjust the rear shock on the XR 1200? The manual states a special tool is required for the right rear shock preload adjustment due to the upswept axhaust. I went to HD to buy it. They called the company (special order) and said it would cost $160.00 for the small tool! I am wondering if anyone knows of an alternative?

 

It is called a spanner wrench ( I am not sure what HD uses for a name ). I have heard people use vice grips but I gave never done it.
My sporty has five presets and I use a spanner wrench. I would think if someone uses vice grips you would have to use a rag or something as not to scrape the shock. I think the money they want to charge you is a rip off, it is a simple tool.

 

Take a photo and I'll take a look. What shocks do you have? If they are stock they are not worth anything so do nt even purchase a $11 spanner wrench from Custom Chrome. You'll be buying new shocks soon enough so don't waste your $160.00 for the small tool!

 

I bought the HD one for $10 at the dealer. It will do the shocks even the one on softails as it has two ends.

 

Because it is an XR the exhaust is in the way, so I assume it is some sort of extension tool, which is why the simple $10 HD spanner wrench wont work... Just a guess. Might be cheaper to use a simple spanner and take off the exhaust. Not easier, but cheaper.

 

I wish you luck, do your exhausts fully cover the shocks?

 

It only takes a couple minutes to take the mufflers off. Geez!

 

Thanks for the advice. I justgot the XR and have not done exhaust work in the past. I also can't see paying HD to do it or pay 160.00 for the special spanner. Thanks for the suggestions. I appreciate it.

 

Pretty close. Mostly the bottom where the adjuster portion is.

 

I was able to adjust it with my hands from underneath. Just wore gloves so I could get a grip on it, and also supported the rear end of the bike to get the weight neutral(takes weight off the shock). Worse-case scenario is you pull the shock off to adjust it. Again..you can do it with your hands. It takes a whopping 2-minutes to remove the shock. The other shock will support the weight of the bike, but it'll let it sag a tiny bit. You'll need to either prop up the rear a little, or get somebody to pull up on it when you re-install the shock.