K-Tech Razor Lite - Install

[Cjanssen83 9]

2yrs riding, and 3 track days. Done my own basic work so far.

 My question is specifically about the install of the Razor Lite. I have a rear paddock stand, but videos I’m seeing show front end support and jack stands as well.

 The install of the shock itself seems straight forward, but the idea of buying more stuff just for a one time install seems silly, considering the local shop will do it for $120.

The Pitbull jack stands by itself is a $200 product. And I can’t think of any reason outside of this install I would use it? For a front stand, at least I’d use it if I eventually change fork internals with something like the AR-25 kit. But still, I’m staring down the barrel of another $400 in stands just to install a $535 shock, right now.

Any advice/opinion? Am I completely wrong about this?

I know there are cheap stands out there, but I feel like I wouldn’t trust some $50 AliExpress stand.

 

Edited March 12 by Cjanssen83

[Rider360 5]

I leave the bike on the side stand and use a scissor jack under the right foot peg bracket to change the rear shock. The front stand will definitely come in handy. You will use it more than you think if you have one.

[Lone Wolf 141]

42 minutes ago, Cjanssen83 said:

Done my own basic work so far.

... I have a rear paddock stand, but videos I’m seeing show front end support and jack stands as well.

Do you change your own tires - or at least remove the wheels yourself? You would need something to support the front end to do that. 

I also do my own work, and would rather learn from my mistakes than pay someone else to make them.

[Claude 14]

https://www.fjr1300.info/howto/frontstand.html

Link above is for an interesting option. I made such a support and it works great!

[M. Hausknecht 419]

From the short-term perspective buying a good front end stand, to use once, makes little sense. If, however, you take a longer view and expect to be messing with motorcycles for several to many years, it is an easily justified purchase. A good stand will last forever and if you choose to sell it at some point, it will be worth something. I got a second set of Pitbull stands recently for 1/2 price, used on FB Marketplace, from someone local. They were only barely used.   

[Cjanssen83 9]

13 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

Do you change your own tires - or at least remove the wheels yourself? You would need something to support the front end to do that. 

I also do my own work, and would rather learn from my mistakes than pay someone else to make them.

No, not yet. Only 2500 miles on my tires. But I get your point. I’d rather learn myself too. It’s been fun tinkering with my MT.

[mjh937 1,927]

When I replaced my shock I used a rear paddock stand (a cheap one from Harbor Freught) and a piece of wood and jack under the muffler.  I had all the nuts off before I jacked it up so I could quickly change out the old shock for the new. 

[pepperona 3]

Not sure how well it work on this bike , but when I did a shock swap on my FZ09 I used a ladder and ratchet straps to the subframe.

I also had 2 friends to help lift the wheel, stabilize front end, etc. was janky but it worked 

 

 

[cornerslider 827]

4 hours ago, pepperona said:

Not sure how well it work on this bike , but when I did a shock swap on my FZ09 I used a ladder and ratchet straps to the subframe.

I also had 2 friends to help lift the wheel, stabilize front end, etc. was janky but it worked 

 

 

THAT is solid advice..... I have a cheap "come-along" hanging from the rafters in my garage. I've used this technique on multiple bikes. Granted, I used a front stand- but a trusted friend can easily do the same thing. You totally got this! The rear shock change-out on our beloved bikes is MUCH easier than most. Once properly supported, this shock swap is SERIOUSLY a 5 minute job-

[wollerms 37]

I have a pit stand on the rear, flip the foot pegs over and then lower the pit stand down with jack stands under the foot pegs, bike is then supported by the jack stands.   Solid and easy to service shock, linkage etc..

[Evill_Ed 754]

13 hours ago, wollerms said:

I have a pit stand on the rear, flip the foot pegs over and then lower the pit stand down with jack stands under the foot pegs, bike is then supported by the jack stands.   Solid and easy to service shock, linkage etc..

I have solid mount Woodcraft rear sets. I put jack stands under them to support the rear. 

 

Ed

[Cjanssen83 9]

On 3/14/2023 at 7:22 AM, Evill_Ed said:

I have solid mount Woodcraft rear sets. I put jack stands under them to support the rear. 

 

Ed

I have Puig footpegs which don’t move up like the OEM pegs do when you scrape the feelers.
 

So I should be fine using those with regular jack stands under them to support the bike in the middle, yes?

I’m getting the Pitbull headlift stand for the front that lifts under the triple tree…which I believe needs a 33 pin, and already have a rear stand that connects to swingarm spools.

[Evill_Ed 754]

3 minutes ago, Cjanssen83 said:

I have Puig footpegs which don’t move up like the OEM pegs do when you scrape the feelers.
 

So I should be fine using those with regular jack stands under them to support the bike in the middle, yes?

I’m getting the Pitbull headlift stand for the front that lifts under the triple tree…which I believe needs a 33 pin, and already have a rear stand that connects to swingarm spools.

You should be okay supporting the bike by the footpegs with jackstands. I know the woodcraft design, I am not familiar with the Puig pegs, but I image that they are strong enough. I just support the weight of the bike on the foot pegs when performing rear suspension work.  (I do not sit on the bike when supported that way) 

Yes, #33 pin for our bikes.

Ed

[Cjanssen83 9]

Alright, so I pulled the trigger on the shock and the front stand…now I wait. 

Still trying to decide how to support the bike though. Threw a dart at Puig in the event they’d say supporting the bike on their pegs is fine. They came back and said that’s not intended use and they wouldn’t recommend it. Probably a liability thing? 

I guess though, I can flip my stock 2021 footpegs upside down and they’ll support the bike with regular auto jack stands under them?

I realize I’m probably overthinking this…I just don’t want my bike tumbling over, ha!

 

Edited May 2 by Cjanssen83

[nozeitgeist1800 62]

do you have an a-frame ladder? thats how i did mine, and it was easy peasy. just need an a-frame ladder and a couple ratcheting straps with a decent weight capacity and all will be well

[shinyribs 1,735]

Since you have a rear stand, the way I did mine was: 

-Bike on rear stand  

-Scissor jack and scrap of wood under oil pan, just touching 

-Remove nuts from shock bolts

-Lift with scissor jack while pulling on shock bolt until it slips out 

-Swap out shock 

You can't beat strapping the bike up to the ceiling/ladder, though. That's as foolproof as it gets. 

 

 

 

[Cjanssen83 9]

8 hours ago, nozeitgeist1800 said:

do you have an a-frame ladder? thats how i did mine, and it was easy peasy. just need an a-frame ladder and a couple ratcheting straps with a decent weight capacity and all will be well

I do, but I’m not sure how sturdy it is. It’s old…not sure how to verify if it can support the weight of a motorcycle, but I do have ratcheting straps with a 1500 capacity.

[Cjanssen83 9]

On 3/13/2023 at 5:21 PM, wollerms said:

I have a pit stand on the rear, flip the foot pegs over and then lower the pit stand down with jack stands under the foot pegs, bike is then supported by the jack stands.   Solid and easy to service shock, linkage etc..

Didn’t see this earlier post of yours. So you just flipped over the OEM pegs and didn’t have any issues? This seems like the easiest method to me, and I don’t really care if the OEMs get a scratch or two…I have Puig pegs to put on.

[wollerms 37]

6 hours ago, Cjanssen83 said:

Didn’t see this earlier post of yours. So you just flipped over the OEM pegs and didn’t have any issues? This seems like the easiest method to me, and I don’t really care if the OEMs get a scratch or two…I have Puig pegs to put on.

Yes, real easy, you do not need the foot peg little springs when you flip them over but need to put them back when you turn them back to right side up. I now use this method on all my bikes when servicing rear linkage etc.... I used to hang the bike from the rafters with tiedown straps and then a friend told me about flipping the pegs.