Replacing the rear shock on an FZR 400 3EN1

[Rutger]

Hello,

I recently bought a 1988 FZR 400 3EN1 for cheap. Now the rear shock needs replacement because the spring seems to be very weak. (tire hits the fender when taking a speed bump at some speed. There are a lot of speed bumps in the Netherlands..)
I already got a replacement shock but I have no clue how to replace it so I am going to have someone else do it. To get an indication of how much this will cost I would like to know how much time it would take. Or, alternatively, a dummy's guide to replacing the rear shock on a FZR 400 3EN1.

Does the wheel need to be taken out? The whole swing arm? If so I might as well replace the rear braking disk whilst I'm at it since it has a few little cracks.

Thanks in advance,

Rutger

[cad600]

This is actually very easy. Don't take it anywhere.

1) get the side plastics off.
2) put some jack stands (or similar) under the frame rails to hold it up in the air - do this as far back as you can on the frame.
3) remove any parts that limit your access to the to shock bolt.
4) with the bike supported at the rear of the frame, undo 2 of the bolts at the shock linkage underneath the swingarm.
5) undo the to shock bolt and slide the shock out the bottom.
6) reverse steps to install the new shock.

This should really only take you 1.5 hours.

[Rutger]

Thanks, that does sound pretty easy. I guess I can do it with my brother. He has more right hands than I do.

Its funny how I know the names to a lot of motorcycle parts but never even got any further than replacing the light bulbs. Guess this will be good practice.

I will let you know how it goes.

[mk2davis]

If you want to have some more guidance, I have a pdf version of a service manual. pm me your email if you want, and I'll email you that chapter.

[Rutger]

Everything went fine. Did a 400 kilometer drive yesterday and the shock felt great.

Did have to buy some emergency oil.. need to watch the levels more closely. Say, does it hurt the FZR when you throw full synth in the engine? I had half synth in it..

[taggy]

you might get some clutch slip with fully sinth. but if it was just a top up it's unlikely. Just make sure you use bike specific oil as car oils do have some different chemicls in that can IN SOME cases cause problems.

[Rutger]

Allright. Thanks. It was bike specific oil, there was half synth car oil at the shop but I know I should not put that in

[wheeliea]

Don't run synthetic the clutch will slip.Andy