ABS Shock question

Friend has a 2500 mile shock off his 2009.
But when he removed it, he unbolted the hose from the preload adjustment knob assembly. Knowing some fluid was lost, is there a way to refill and possibly bleed or are we SOL ?

 

I am pretty damn sure it can be topped back off.

I haven't done it, but there are others that have. Terry Smith might have some insight.

If I was doing it without any guidance or tutorial, I think I would back off the adjuster all the way (to maximize to the oil space) and "fill" each side and have it situated for filling and quick assembly. You should be able to get the shock reservoir and the adjuster reservoir tipity-topped before attaching the banjo. I think rear shock fluid would be a good fluid. Then maybe crack a banjo slightly while screwing in the adjuster to bleed until fluid just comes out.

But, again, I haven't done it. I have been thinking about it recently to adapt an 86 adjuster on an 87 shock.

 

Refilling the adjuster is no big deal. Back out the adjuster knob and push the adjuster piston out fully (reaching through the banjo port with a screwdriver or something slim if you can). Fill the adjuster fully to overflow with light oil e.g. fork oil, add oil to the hose if not already full. Reconnect the banjo and turn the adjuster fully in, then wind it back out while keeping the adjuster higher than the shock, lets any air in the shock adjuster rise up and out. Undo the banjo, repeat pressing the piston in fully, top off fully to overflow, refit the banjo and you should be done.

 

Thanks folks, will give it a try this weekend.

 

Is this something you HAVE to do if removing the rear shock from the ABS models? I've thought about replacing my shock with a new YSS one but I d0n't have the time to go ripping off a load of bits and pieces if I can avoid it.

 

I looked at the service manual and that does not specify removal of the preload adjuster, just removal of the adjuster knob from the outside of the adjuster, presumably to make it easier to thread the adjuster through the swingarm tunnel. Mind you, that also suggest that you remove the exhaust system to change the shock, which you definitely don't need to do.

 

That's the one, there absolutely no chance in hell I'm removing the exhaust system to change the shock (and that's IF I change the shock).

 

No, you don't have to, just my pal was rushing and took the adjuster end completely off. After reading on (then) 2 VFR forums to only remove the knob.