Topic: dismantling shocks

[thelowmax]

I'm trying to clean the rust from my shocks and was wondering if... they come apart, and if so, how. I see there's a nut at the top of the piston but can't reach it due to the spring. Anybody have a suggestion?

[Johnie]

What bike?

[thelowmax]

1982 cb650

[ColinMc]

Pictures of the shocks would help...are they stock? Have they been replaced at some point in the life of the bike?

[camelman]

A pic would help, but most shocks can be disassembled.  There should be a plate at the top of the shock with a notch in it.  The notch slides around the shaft of the plunger, and then the plate fits into place at the top of the shock when the spring pushes against it.  When the spring is compressed you can slide the plate out, and then the spring can be removed.  Clean everything back up, then reassemble in the same manner.
You will need a spring compressor, or a strong stomach, to compress the spring.  I don't have a spring compressor to fit small springs like these, so I just fold up a towel, put it over my stomach, and position the lower end of the shock against my stomach.  Then, pulling with two hands, I can compress the spring enough to slip the plate out.  Putting it back in usually requires a helper.  You don't have to be a muscle man to do this either.  I'm only 5'10" and 170 lbs.

Good luck.

Camelman

[fmctm1sw]

A pic would help, but most shocks can be disassembled.  There should be a plate at the top of the shock with a notch in it.  The notch slides around the shaft of the plunger, and then the plate fits into place at the top of the shock when the spring pushes against it.  When the spring is compressed you can slide the plate out, and then the spring can be removed.  Clean everything back up, then reassemble in the same manner.
You will need a spring compressor, or a strong stomach, to compress the spring.  I don't have a spring compressor to fit small springs like these, so I just fold up a towel, put it over my stomach, and position the lower end of the shock against my stomach.  Then, pulling with two hands, I can compress the spring enough to slip the plate out.  Putting it back in usually requires a helper.  You don't have to be a muscle man to do this either.  I'm only 5'10" and 170 lbs.

Good luck.

Camelman

Very interesting, I may try that.  Maybe put a board on my stomach?  Certainly one could fashion some sort of spring compresser as well I imagine.  I wonder if I can get a six pack doing that?

[Johnie]

I have dismantled the KO, K1 & K4 with myself and my son with no tools. First be sure the shock is at the weakest setting. Then I push it down and my son will remove the 1/2 circle clips. Sometimes it works to have a paper clip to get under the lip of the clip.

[gtyler5]

you can also use large hose clamps, run them through the springs and tighten them down to compress. if the springs are pretty you might want to put tape or cardboard around the edges of the clamps as they can scratch. 

[Holubs]

I made a jig out of two pieces of threaded rod and two pieces of light angle iron.  Tighten down the nuts to compress the springs, and take out the clip to disassemble the shock.  I am on the road, will try to take pictures when I get home.

[camelman]

After the shock is apart, you may find that the pieces can be disassembled.  If not, then it is time for new shocks.  If the shock can be disassembled, then check for rebuild kits or look around on this forum for places to get seals and install new, appropriate weight oil.

Camelman