Once it’s set up it’s easy to change the spring rate by simply turning the unit’s indexing lever to the appropriate spot in the corresponding stepped cup at the top of the Steel Tracker shock. A wider gap between the lever and the stepped cup gives a softer setting by increasing the distance the shock compresses before the load is transitioned to the main spring; a smaller gap gives a firmer setting as the load is transitioned to the main spring sooner.

Once I made my decision, I called up Works Performance, where Ned Owens took my order. Ordering shocks from Works is a bit different than dealing with other companies, where typically you just pick a shock from a range of options, maybe choose your spring rate and then order away.

Works Performance asks for quite a bit more information before they’ll sell you a shock. In addition to the expected specifications of model and year of your machine, they’ll ask you about rider weight, rider weight with gear, how often you carry gear, passenger weight, percentage of time you carry a passenger, the type of riding you do and your skill level. All these factors are taken into account to determine the best combination of springs and damping rates for your shock, with literally thousands of possible combinations. Additionally, on K bikes and some others you can get lowered shocks to bring saddle height down, a useful option for shorter riders struggling with a K’s almost 32-inch seat height.

Since I do all my own work, there was no question but I’d install my new Works shock. Early K bikes featured BMW’s “monolever” system, a single-sided swingarm and monoshock, and later bikes (starting with the K1 in 1989 and then quickly adopted by the K100RS) featured BMW’s “paralever” system, which added a strut arm to the rear hub to negate the rise and fall induced by a driveshaft. While the specific shock is different depending on which system your bike runs, the installation process is the same.

Installing the Works Performance Steel Tracker TRS 

Most home mechanics should be able to install the Steel Tracker TRS, as it’s a technically simple job requiring only one special tool, a torque wrench.

Before starting the job, get the bike up on its center stand and wedge a block of wood between the rear tire and the floor. This will keep the wheel at a constant height, and just barely unloads the suspension, making it easier to take the old shock off and put the new shock on.