Topic: Rear shocks

[zoeyk9]

How do the rear shocks come apart on a '78 550 ? I have four shocks and want to remove the springs so that I can build two using the best of the lot.

[Alan F.]

OK, here's 2 screenshots from ServiceHonda, two types of rear shocks listed for 1978.  Sorry I can't tell you more as I'm a 750 guy...and I've never disassembles any shocks.

[Bodi]

Unless they're some weird design, you compress the spring a bit and remove the keeper - either two pieces or one piece with a slot to slide the shaft through. The compressing is not so easy though. There are special tools, and also lots of improvised ways to do it. Be very careful - the spring can cut a finger or two off if it comes loose as you're fiddling the keeper out.
Probably all four old dampers are junk, Honda used pretty crappy ones and time is not kind to them.

[Alan F.]

Be very careful - the spring can cut a finger or two off if it comes loose as you're fiddling the keeper out.

Be sure to use some needlenose pliers, long ones!

[Terry in Australia]

I've seen some really inventive solutions to this problem, and I'm sure some will come up here, but I built my own shock compressor (Hmmmnnnn, I loaned it to SteveK0 awhile ago, and haven't seen it back yet.........  ) and while it is probably overkill if this is the only set you'll pull apart, it's been an invaluable tool to me over the last 12 years, and I've still got my fingers and my eyes where God intended them, so for the price of some scrap steel and some welding practise, very worthwhile, IMHO.

The only problem that you'll have is that sure, you can select the best bodies and match them to the springs with the best chrome, but you can't pull the dampers apart and replace the seals and drain out the rusty muck that used to be oil once upon a time, so all you'll end up with is shiny 30+ year old pogo sticks with no damping capability.

If they're only for "show", then no problem, most of the show bikes out there aren't functional motorcycles anyway, but if you're gonna ride it, you might want to consider some quality after-market shocks, and hang your OEM ones up for when it comes time to sell it. Cheers, Terry.  

[zoeyk9]

My shocks look like the lower one in the two views, so that means there are no keepers to pull out. I think I will make up a spring compressor and then it looks as if the top mount unscrewws from the damper rod. Once they are apart I will be able to tell if there is any damping action or if they are junk. As with everything I do in life, a tight budget is always an issue, so I hope I don't have to buy new shocks. Thanks for all the great advice, I will let you all know how this works out.

[zoeyk9]

I finally got round to taking the four shocks apart, I made a spring compressor by bending a length of 3/8" threaded rod and using my bearing splitter. It worked like a charm and I still have all my fingers !
I'm pleased to say that the damping action is perfect on all four units, so alll I have to do is put together two using the best of the lot. Attached is a couple of pics of this little project.

[timdhawk]

you can do what was shown to me by a bike shop guy and take to cargo ratchet straps and run them through the springs (top to bottom of course) and  ratchet them down to compress the spring. works great! Need a pic?

[DaytonGuy]

A pic of that would be fantastic.  I can't seem to visualize how to hook it up.

Also....can you paint the springs?  Mine are little pitted. Too bad to just buff out with steel wool.  I was thinking about paintgin them...maybe.  Would the paint crack when the springs compress?

[Terry in Australia]

Being chrome, (and crappy chrome at that) you'll need to clean all the rust off first (phosphoric acid is best, if you can get some, but the chrome will probably look so good afterwards that you won't want to paint it) then "etch primer" the springs before you paint them.

Use enamel (engine enamel would be good, especially if you could sneak 'em into your oven and cook em at 300 Deg F for 30 minutes) and you shouldn't have any problems with cracking. Good job on that spring compressor mate, you did good! Cheers, Terry.  

[Flying J]

I used 2 Large hose clamps as a spring compressor. Worrked great. Cost $4 and change.