Dog Bones.

Not the meaty-lishous kind that the dogs love, but suspension dog bones. I've had them changed for longer ones so that it drops the suspension to make it easier to Jax to ride my SV. (along with the lowered seat)
First the tools...
WD-40, Grease, Old rag, 14mm and 17mm sockets, 17mm spanner, socket wrenches, breaker bar, screwdrivers and some big hammers. Plus a old towel to sit on...



Next I have a Abba stand to lift the bike with.






So with the 14mm socket on the left and the breaker bar, plus the 17mm spanner on the right we manage to get the bolts out. A socket won't fit on the 17mm right due to the exhaust being in the way, so I us the spanner as a kind of wedge when it turns and rests on the bake trye. Then slide the sleeves out and re-grease all the bearings, they need it as the winter weather seems to have stripped it all out.
And there you have it... the original rather dirty ones, and the new ones.
Not much difference, but it will decrease the seat height by at least 20mm.



Once I have the first bolt in with the dog bone I just need to get the rear swing arm up high enough so that I can get the other bolt in, as this dog bone is longer. So using my knee I lift the swing arm and back wheel, which is lighter then I thought and slide it in. Hurt my knee a bit but hey, no pain no gain.

Both bolts are in but the sleeves have moved out, so I take my little screw driver and tap them back in.





Much better.
Just put the bolts on and tighten up, same as before. 14mm socket on the left and hold the 17mm spanner tight on the right.




Sweet...








So there we have it.
Left side.







And right.








Notice how the bike stands up a little more upright now. I did sit on it and didn't really notice the difference that much, though might when I'm out and about. Jax was able to get on and touch the ground in here 'flat' shoes, so should be just fine on the bike.