removal of rear shock cover?

[Mr Breeze]

How do you remove the plastic splash guard cover from the rear shock?

[xprof]

I hope someone more qualified will answer this guy. Me, I attacked it with a Dremel tool with a small cut-off wheel, diagonal pliers (wire cutters) and tin snips, and just sort of whittled it down. Crude, but it didn't take long and I didn't have to disassemble anything. Now, what's the RIGHT way?

[ContraMoto]

Remove the rear shock*. Cover comes off with coupla bolts.

*Remove muffler and wheel. Two bolts and shock comes out.

[mogu83]

Remove the rear shock*. Cover comes off with coupla bolts.

*Remove muffler and wheel. Two bolts and shock comes out.

I couldn't find any bolts on my 07, so I put the new shock on without the cover. I figure the hugger will keep it clean.
Did anyone else get the cover off without cutting it, or taking the shock apart?
Strangely enough the parts fiche doesn't show the cover.

[NakedRider]

My dealer told me that by removing the piece on top of the spring that the spring rate would change. I wasn't willing to risk it even though I had a hugger that rubbed against it.

I removed the hugger until I upgraded the rear shock then put it back on.

[ContraMoto]

I spoke too quickly...I was remembering a different model bike.

This cover only comes off if you disassemble the shock. If you remove it and re-assemble, the preload will be a lot weaker and you'd have to crank down the dial quite a bit. If you want the cover off for some reason, it would make sense to saw it off with a Dremel, leaving the part that wraps around the shock tube intact for proper preload.

[Gatuso]

It looks like you have to remove the shock from the bike and take the shock apart, or go at it with a dremel while on the bike....................................good luck.

[Mr Breeze]

Thanks guys! I just installed the ilmberger hugger and noticed the shock cover rubs up against the forward most part of the hugger. Thought it would look better with the shock exposed and the hugger should keep it clean.

Not sure I want to spend over grand on a Ohlins shock, so it looks like the dremel tool it is....