2012 klx450 Linkage Removal

[OZZIE_KLX]

Howdy fellow riders, 

 

Last weekend I came off my bike and bent up my bars and mounts. Since I can't afford new ones till next pay I'm greasing everything and checking the top end while I wait. 

Is there a knack to removing the rear lower shock linkage/dogbone, etc? 
I'm really hoping the needles haven't seized, would you feel it when working the suspension? or do you just have to wiggle it out?

[ozglenn]

I reccomend the BRP one piece bar mounts,I got sick of the twisting stock ones and now the bars never bend.

[wielywilly-g]

If it were me, I don't think I would pull the shock linkage apart until I had a linkage rebuild kit handy. (All Balls is around $67, Pivot Works $63)  That way if you come across a dry one with broken or pitted needles you can replace it.  I am not sure if you can feel bad ones by working the suspension unless they are so bad you feel a clunk when you pick up the rear end or hear a squeaking.

[OZZIE_KLX]

I was actually looking at the one piece bar mounts the other day but I hadn't actually seen them on anyone's bike so thought they must be a gimmick. I was only going to get the taller RHK fatbar mounts.

I might have to get a kit, the bolt that holds it together turns smoothly but it's not coming out for some reason...

[KLX450-DIRK]

Pound it out with a hammer and drift.

[ozglenn]

here's the BRP mounts on my bike,also has mounting holes for a steering dampener or you can get them without the holes for steering dampener.

 

[OZZIE_KLX]

Got it out, needed to relieve the pressure of the suspension. 

Needles hadn't seized but the grease had dried to feel like a rubber on the shock bearing needles.

Of course I re-assembled it and then (luckily) found one more needle sitting in the bottom of the container.