I just picked up my new to me 2001 xl883c and wanted to remove the saddle bags, the bags are easy enough just zip them off. The brackets attach to the rear fender in two places. One is easy its the spot made for accessories attachment, the other attachment is in the same spot where the top of the rear suspension attaches. My question is can I just take that bolt out and slide the bracket off then put the same bolt back in? will the rear suspension come off if I take that bolt off or is there a shaft it sits on that the bolt goes in two?

Thanks
-Mike

 

If you mean the top bolt on the shock, then yes, it holds the shock on. Nothing else holds the shock. Crank up one side and lower the preload on the other side. Do them one side at a time.

 

Which side would you take the shock off of, The one with the high preload or the one with the lowered preload?

 

Well, if you take off the one with high preload you'll hurt yourself. Increasing the preload will make it easier to re-install the one with no preload. Then crank up the preload on that one and ease off on the other side.

 

thanks ill give that a try tonight

 

does this require using a lift or can you do it without?

 

If you think you're going to use those bags ever...you may want to just leave the brackets on there for a while. I never thought's I'd want them either, but I found that I needed to be able to carry stuff home from work and the store and the bags are great for that. Just my $.02.

 

If you have a jack you don't need to use the shocks to hold the rear end up.