Author Topic: Shock preload adjustment tool, cheap! (Read 10407 times)

Ducati Scotty · **on:** August 11, 2010, 09:20:39 pm

The preload adjusters for the rear shocks on the Enfield are pretty tame, I think you could probably turn them by hand if you were pressed to do so. You can certainly do it with pliers but these tend to strip things and chip paint over time.

I like to have the right tool for the right job. I was looking around and couldn't find much available in the States that fit a 48mm, certainly not at a low price. Most of the shock spanners available today are for the larger rear mono-shocks. I found a few smaller ones but mostly from obsure English companies or costly adjustable models. I didn't want to have to send across the pond for an inexpensive tool.

I found a solution. Remembering back to when I was a bicycle mechainc I thought about all the bottom brakcet and headset spanners we had. Surely one might fit the rear shocks. It did.
http://www.parktool.com/products/detail.asp?cat=25&item=HCW-5
The Park Tools HCW-5 crank and bottom bracket wrench's single pin end fits the rear shocks perfectly and only costs about $15 US. Not sure if the other end works yet, I haven't tried it. Regardless, I'll probably cut one end off to make it smaller and easier to carry on trips.

Hope this helps.

Scott

2bikebill · **Reply #1 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:27:02 pm

There's a thing in the supplied toolkit for adjusting the rear shocks - didn't you get one?

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #2 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:31:45 pm

Nope

I got wrenches, screwdriver, tire irons, and spark plug wrench with tommy bar. The wrenches are forged, I thought that was quite nice.

Scott

2bikebill · **Reply #3 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:44:21 pm

I got those, plus three allen keys, spare cables and an inner tube. The manuall doesn't list the shock adjuster tool, but it's there.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #4 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:50:55 pm

Got the allen keys too, and a tube. Have to harass my dealer about the cables.

Oh well, if nothing else it's good info for people who buy second hand and don't get a full tool set.

Scott

2bikebill · **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2010, 09:57:44 pm

I just checked the box the dealer gave me and it's got four cables, although the manual lists only two - speedo and clutch. One of these is the clutch cable, there's no speedo cable, and without going to have a look at the bike, I don't know what the others are.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2010, 10:02:05 pm

Clutch and throttle are good to have on a long trip. Hence I'll be asking about them soon

The throttle on my bike has two cables, one under and one over. Speedo, nice to have if it breaks but not really necessary. I don't think anyone eve got stranded over a broken speedo cable. The other one might be a drum front brake cable. Maybe they just have one standard spare cable kit.

Scott

2bikebill · **Reply #7 on:** August 11, 2010, 10:13:48 pm

Ah - I'd forgotten it was a two cable arrangement for the throttle. That explains the two which are bundled together. The fourth is a thin one, still mysterious.

Sub · **Reply #8 on:** August 11, 2010, 10:34:01 pm

How funny, I was just going to post asking about an adjustment tool.

So you guys got them in your tool kits? Its not in mine! Does it look like the Park Tools version? Is it confirmed this should have come in the tool kit?

I've been using a flathead screw driver braced against the rear shock to do the trick.. not the best way obviously.

2bikebill · **Reply #9 on:** August 11, 2010, 10:52:32 pm

It's a "C" shaped thingy. As I said - the manual doesn't include it in the list of supplied tools, but I got one with mine. Mine's a UK G5 DL.
Also, the manual says to use the 8mm tommy bar to adjust the rear shocks. This doesn't make sense. Mind you, the manual also says to oil the chain every 3000 km!!
Can't really trust the manual....

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #10 on:** August 11, 2010, 11:11:05 pm

Quote from: WillW on August 11, 2010, 10:52:32 pm

Also, the manual says to use the 8mm tommy bar to adjust the rear shocks.

Yeah, that one puzzled me too. I like all the names in the manual. "Right hand trafficator" sounds so much cooler than "turn signal".

Scott

Sub · **Reply #11 on:** August 12, 2010, 01:33:46 am

I read that part in the manual too, weird.

So is it only UK bikes that came with the adjustment "C" tool?

I have a 2010 bike.

gashousegorilla · **Reply #12 on:** August 12, 2010, 01:44:01 am

No shock spanner came in my tool kit either. I've been using a drag specialty's one.

qgolden · **Reply #13 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:13:53 am

No shock spanner came in mine. I had one from an old Yamaha toolkit. I did not get any extra cable either. Allen Wrenchs, Screw Drivers, one tire bar, Perhaps the 2010 C5 has a reduced tool kit, It seems mine and Scotts are the same.

What is a "Tommy Bar"?

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #14 on:** August 12, 2010, 06:29:24 am

5" piece of steel rod as far as I can tell. I would guess we're not getting the spanner on purpose, but the rest of the differences in the kits are probably just quality control issues.

Scott

2bikebill · **Reply #15 on:** August 12, 2010, 08:26:34 am

Here's the toolkit from my 2010 G5 DL (UK) The big spanner doesn't fit in the toolroll so came separate, with the spare cables etc

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #16 on:** August 12, 2010, 02:32:55 pm

I didn't get the big spanner either. I'm guessing that's the right size for the axle bolts and the large engine mounting bolts. Oh well, all part of the charm of this bike

My Ducati had a spark plug wrench and a bad screwdriver, neither of which I ever used. It did come in a really nice little nylon bag with the Ducati logo though.

Scott

Sub · **Reply #17 on:** August 12, 2010, 04:35:30 pm

ok so your's is a 2010, but a G5. Maybe its just G5's getting the suspension wrenches?

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #18 on:** August 12, 2010, 05:36:23 pm

I'm a 2010 C5 US model.

singhg5 · **Reply #19 on:** August 12, 2010, 10:02:26 pm

Quote from: WillW on August 12, 2010, 08:26:34 am

Here's the toolkit from my 2010 G5 DL (UK) The big spanner doesn't fit in the toolroll so came separate, with the spare cables etc

I have a G5 Classic in US and I got exact same tool kit, except that I did not get a large spanner separately.

The kit has a small shock wrench (preload adjusting spanner) as shown in WillW's picture. There were also cables and tube in a large cardboard box.

Most of the motorcycle dealers carry a $15 shock wrench by Motion Pro or another brand that will fit RE.

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/2/9/205/5006/ITEM/Motion-Pro-Shock-Wrench.aspx

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #20 on:** August 12, 2010, 10:48:17 pm

I couldn't find that one in stock anywhere and the only references to sizes it fit was bigger than what I measured. Hence my diversion to bicycle tools.

Scott

singhg5 · **Reply #21 on:** August 12, 2010, 10:58:13 pm

Quote from: qgolden on August 12, 2010, 02:13:53 am

No shock spanner came in mine. .............

What is a "Tommy Bar"?

Just a straight bar or rod that fits into the holes of a spark plug wrench, so that when you use it as a lever to turn the wrench the whole thing looks like a 'T'.

qgolden · **Reply #22 on:** August 12, 2010, 11:10:46 pm

Quote from: singhg5 on August 12, 2010, 10:58:13 pm

Just a straight bar or rod that fits into the holes of a spark plug wrench, so that when you use it as a lever to turn the wrench the whole thing looks like a 'T'.

Oh,

Quote from: singhg5 on August 12, 2010, 10:58:13 pm

Just a straight bar or rod that fits into the holes of a spark plug wrench, so that when you use it as a lever to turn the wrench the whole thing looks like a 'T'.

OK, Thanks. Back in the day

We called that a "Handle" I jus' love these new fangled terms!

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #23 on:** August 12, 2010, 11:12:36 pm

Me too! "Trafficator!"

r80rt · **Reply #24 on:** August 12, 2010, 11:37:41 pm

You guys finally got me curious enough to actually look at my tool kit, no preload spanner in mine either.

singhg5 · **Reply #25 on:** August 12, 2010, 11:46:46 pm

Quote from: r80rt on August 12, 2010, 11:37:41 pm

You guys finally got me curious enough to actually look at my tool kit, no preload spanner in mine either.

C5 riders are tough guys - they just twist the shock with their hand, just like opening a beer bottle.

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #26 on:** August 14, 2010, 06:02:05 pm

BTW, the three point side of the wrench does not fit the shock.

Scott

Maturin · **Reply #27 on:** August 15, 2010, 11:17:21 pm

Quote from: singhg5 on August 12, 2010, 11:46:46 pm

C5 riders are tough guys - they just twist the shock with their hand, just like opening a beer bottle.

Twisting the shock with your hand is for wimps - tough riders use their teeth

There are adjustable hook wrenches, I used them for BMW steering heads. This old thing works fine with the RE shocks.

prof_stack · **Reply #28 on:** August 15, 2010, 11:34:16 pm

Quote from: Maturin on August 15, 2010, 11:17:21 pm

Twisting the shock with your hand is for wimps - tough riders use their teeth.

Heh, I'm looking at the dental bill for a new crown after using my teeth "improperly".

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #29 on:** August 16, 2010, 02:23:26 am

Quote from: Maturin on August 15, 2010, 11:17:21 pm

There are adjustable hook wrenches, I used them for BMW steering heads. This old thing works fine with the RE shocks.

The ones I saw looked really nice and were pricey!

REpozer · **Reply #30 on:** August 17, 2010, 12:06:19 pm

I used a #2 Phillips screw driver as a pry bar and my hand to twist the shock.

Be careful.

Sub · **Reply #31 on:** August 17, 2010, 03:24:01 pm

I can actually twist it looser by hand, but not tighter. I have some old steel bar lying around, maybe I'll just fab one, seems easy enough.

hogdad · **Reply #32 on:** August 16, 2013, 10:55:44 pm

Hello to all,
Does someone have a shock adjustment tool part number for the 2012 C5 Military? I don't see it as available in the parts catalog.
Thanks for the help.
Hogdad

Arizoni · **Reply #33 on:** August 16, 2013, 11:15:44 pm

Did they change the design?
On my 2011, the adjustment consists of rotating the collar that supports the rear spring. It has some grooves cut into it for the tool to latch onto but if you don't have a tool, using a short metal rod and a mallet to drive it can easily rotate the adjuster.

The bike has to be on the center stand when your doing this so the springs will be as "unloaded" as possible.
Like some in this post have mentioned, some just grab ahold of the adjustment collar and twist it with their hand. (Lubricating the cam ramps helps).

Bulletman · **Reply #34 on:** August 16, 2013, 11:16:07 pm

Quote from: hogdad on August 16, 2013, 10:55:44 pm

Hello to all,
Does someone have a shock adjustment tool part number for the 2012 C5 Military? I don't see it as available in the parts catalog.
Thanks for the help.
Hogdad

Hogdad, depending on where you are, you can order the unit from BMW of Fresno, in California...ask for Al # 559-292-2269

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #35 on:** August 16, 2013, 11:22:20 pm

Hogdad,

Send a PM to Tri750. Al has a nice little wrench that works perfectly for about $10 I believe. Much smaller than the original tool I posted, fits in the palm of your hand.

Scott

Royalista · **Reply #36 on:** August 17, 2013, 08:21:17 pm

No shock spanner in the tool kit. In Europe readily available for around 8 euro. Among others Gericke has it.

The manual speaks of using the tommy bar. That was nice on pre EFI models where at the bottom of the shocks was a hole to put the bar in. Nice to read the nickel dropped already in UK, maybe continent will follow soon?

barenekd · **Reply #37 on:** August 18, 2013, 04:05:29 am

Cycle Gear has them, but if you have water pump pliers, er, channel locks, they do an excellent job!
Bare

Ducati Scotty · **Reply #38 on:** August 18, 2013, 06:00:51 am

Lots of things will do the job. The tool Al sells fits in the toolkit and will never nick the chrome. Though the manual says the tool should be in the toolkit I don't think anyone in the US has actually gotten one.

Scott

D the D · **Reply #39 on:** August 18, 2013, 06:30:38 am

For the old stock ones with the holes I used an allen wrench. The L shape makes it easy to get between the shock and wheel yet still have enough throw to go a full notch.
The Hagons I got came with a stamped sheet metal spanner that works fine, but doesn't have quite the clearance the I would like to get around the ammo cans' mounting tubes.