Just did a spring change on my 2025 KTM 450xcf. Outstanding procedure, I pulled the swingarm bolt on my '23 KTM300XC to do the spring change and this was MUCH easier and quicker. Thank you!
If you remove the pivot bolt, the swing arm moves forward enough to roll the chain off. Move the swing back and slide the shock out from the bottom. This is how I’ve seen it done in the pits between races. They don’t even loosen the rear axle.
2023 XC300 here - found it much easier to do it old 2 stroke way. After removing silencer, seat, tank, and right side frame guardRemove sub frame lower bolts, loosen sub frame upper bolt, unbolt airboot clamp from throttle body. Lift up sub frame and tighten upper sub frame bolt. Id imagine 4 stroke be similar. Check out my suspension video for example
Oh for sure. Probably has locktite on it too. It has to be torqued really high. Not unusual. You can always heat it first with a torch to melt locktite and get it off easier
It should yes. Different plastics and subframe so might be different in that respect but should work. I have a 2017 Husky and this method works really well on it. If not, you can try removing the bottom mud flap and removing it out of the bottom. The thing about the 2023 is the rear shock chamber is larger than previous years so it may not fit through the bottom hole in the Worst case scenario you will need to remove swingarm (that’s what this method avoids). Let me know.
I just tried it on a 2024 fc250 and the airbox and subframe don't seem to allow it. What i did was loosen up the shock spring and then undo the linkage bolt and then take off the shock spring and you can lift it up and out from the back. RideJBI has a short clip showing this
Thanks for the comment but I don’t agree. Tried both methods and unless you are taking your bike apart for other reasons (like greasing or whatever), removing a swing arm is a bigger job. Will also need a stand with foot peg anchor points. This method you can get a shock out in 10 minutes if you do it right.
Just did a spring change on my 2025 KTM 450xcf. Outstanding procedure, I pulled the swingarm bolt on my '23 KTM300XC to do the spring change and this was MUCH easier and quicker. Thank you!
If you remove the pivot bolt, the swing arm moves forward enough to roll the chain off. Move the swing back and slide the shock out from the bottom. This is how I’ve seen it done in the pits between races. They don’t even loosen the rear axle.
Cool. This is also the way I do it with my 2013.
The plastics aren’t all one piece, the side number plates come off. The back kind of clips in.
Airbox doesn’t allow sufficient room for this method on 23 300 XC 2-stroke.
The side plate isn't one piece. You need to remove the rear fender as there is a small screw behind it that holds the side plate on
2023 XC300 here - found it much easier to do it old 2 stroke way. After removing silencer, seat, tank, and right side frame guardRemove sub frame lower bolts, loosen sub frame upper bolt, unbolt airboot clamp from throttle body. Lift up sub frame and tighten upper sub frame bolt. Id imagine 4 stroke be similar. Check out my suspension video for example
I pulled the swingarm bolt first time when bike was new, this time I am going to try your technique Josh. Thanks!
It's much easier to drop it out from the bottom.
That linkage bolt on mine is really tight and hard to get out. Bike has 26 hours.
Oh for sure. Probably has locktite on it too. It has to be torqued really high. Not unusual. You can always heat it first with a torch to melt locktite and get it off easier
Does that work on a 2023 husky fc450?
It should yes. Different plastics and subframe so might be different in that respect but should work. I have a 2017 Husky and this method works really well on it. If not, you can try removing the bottom mud flap and removing it out of the bottom. The thing about the 2023 is the rear shock chamber is larger than previous years so it may not fit through the bottom hole in the Worst case scenario you will need to remove swingarm (that’s what this method avoids). Let me know.
I just tried it on a 2024 fc250 and the airbox and subframe don't seem to allow it. What i did was loosen up the shock spring and then undo the linkage bolt and then take off the shock spring and you can lift it up and out from the back. RideJBI has a short clip showing this
The easier way is to remove the swingarm!
Thanks for the comment but I don’t agree. Tried both methods and unless you are taking your bike apart for other reasons (like greasing or whatever), removing a swing arm is a bigger job. Will also need a stand with foot peg anchor points. This method you can get a shock out in 10 minutes if you do it right.
I also disagree. This is one of the easiest ways. But you’re not wrong either. Many ways to skin a cat.
The key is lifting the back tire/swingarm up when lifting the shock out. I do this on my 16’ FE350, 21 FE501, and my 23’ TX300.
Will this work on an SX model as well thanks
I think so. That bike is the same frame so unless the plastics need to be removed, it should be the exact same.
@@BigIronMoto yep just pulled it off two days ago thanks for the info