A Big "don't" - Ducati.ms

mountainrider · Nov 20th, 2008, 6:00 am

Last weekend I decided to install an adjustable rear suspension rod on my standard hyper. I dropped the front header, pulled the cat, disconnected it from the mid pipe and popped the plugs on both sides of the swingarm for the shock/rod pivot bolt. This is the necessary process to gain access to the right side hole.

The left side has a 20mm deep interference fit for the 8mm allen socket needed for the bolt head residing on that side. It then opens up and your socket on your extension has to span the chasm until it reached the bolt a further 4 inches in. BTW, the manual shows the threaded busing/nut installs from this side but that is not true and would be a very bad idea based on what followed.

It's pretty difficult during this operation (on this bike) to reach and operate two ratchets with anything approaching a normal wingspan...but I managed. I was surprised to find the nut coming off on the opposite side from what the manual shows. That seems like a much better idea. I could see the nut potentially falling into the swingarm never to be seen again if it were installed on the left side. Once I had it in my hand, I grabbed my drift and proceeded to tap the bolt past the rod and the shock eye.

Thats when I heard my ratchet hit the garage floor on the right side of the bike. The socket was missing from the end of the extension and a hopeful search of the garage proved fruitless. A peek in the swingarm revealed the bolt head slightly off center and up against the socket recess. Guess where the socket has to be? Guess where it's going to stay forever? Why? because this socket access port is the largest hole in the swingarm and there is no way to grab the thing and extract it. Not a flexible pickup tool and not a magnet.

So, if your going about this anytime in the future, either have a helper hold the tool on the other side of the bike, remove the ratchet/socket before tapping out the bolt or purchase a very long 8mm allen for the right side r&r. I have one of those...NOW!

Okay, now you can laugh.

Squiffything · Nov 20th, 2008, 6:10 am

you could turn the bike upside down and shake it till it falls out again

I'm very helpful I am.

yota · Nov 20th, 2008, 7:13 am

well I don't feel so bad now. there's been a socket inside my swing arm for about 8 months.

Caidly · Nov 20th, 2008, 7:22 am

Why won't a magnet work?

Snap-On (et.al.) make very powerful small headed magnets.

yota · Nov 20th, 2008, 8:34 am

sockets are cheaper

actually I tried pretty hard to get it out, you have to make a 90 degree turn with whatever you are fishing around with. Tried everything I had and then I actually forgot about it till you bastards brought it up again.