Forum

[jfw]

Hello all,
strange question but as my rear shocks are starting to get a bit grotty and rusty I was looking at them and wondering is it possible to dismantle them? If it was I might get them powder coated. I've looked at them and I can't see any obvious way in there.

[John M]

Generally shock absorbers can be dismantled by releasing a large "C" ring at the top of the spring or shroud. This usually has to be achieved by putting a large screw diver through the gap in the "C" ring and compressing the spring. You need to hold the bottom mount in a vice and keep your face well away from the top. It is not easy and there are plenty of opportunities to trap fingers and otherwise inflict injury of discomfort to yourself or bystanders.
Have fun and take care!

[jfw]

A job for a clear head! Thanks a million for the advice I'll maybe pull one off the bike and have a closer look to see if I recognise the "C" Ring. Cheer

[Ian Martin]

Hi there,
Not all shocks have "C" rings, some have collets ..... think valve collets .......and they come out one at a time once the spring is compressed. The collets or C rings locate in the top of the shroud under the top mounting eye. Unless you have done this before I would recommend you have an extra pair of safe hands available. Long nose pliers are also useful to help get hold of the bits and remove them. Compress the shock absorber and the collets should be free to remove, sometimes a gentle tap with a hammer is required to loosen the plot. Assembly is the reverse procedure. TAKE CARE THOSE SPRINGS ARE STRONG AND CAN SEND BITS FLYING ACROSS WORKSHOPS !

[Paul M H]

If possible beg borrow or steal or you could make a shock absorber compressor tool like in this video below its not too hard to make. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDHIyCzahH8

[BobF]

There's a piece on this very topic in the Technical Notes section of this website http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/pi ... orbers.pdf

[another Allan]

Do you intend to have the damper bodies powder coated? As I understand it, powder coating involves heat. Will the damper seals survive this?

[StephenR]

jfw - take care doing this - depending on the shocks - the old style Girling ones all had two dished washers at the top that held the spring in. You need a safe way of compressing the spring - and you need to compress the spring equally - it's quite possible when using a screwdriver to trap one of the dished washers - what someone here called collets. And then you have to untrap it and the suspension springs as someone said are powerful - in other words it is a potentially dangerous procedure..... And if you get everything painted or powder coated you can't put them back together with a screwdriver......

[Gwilly]

Just think about how much work your going to put into this refurb.. Construct a compressor to start with, replace worn seals and bushings, repaint or powder coat the pair, the chrome will still be pitted and the whole lot will still be a very mediocre performing pair of shocks even with new springs...


For a reasonable outlay why not upgrade and get a decent pair from Hagons, (cheaper are available) probably out perform the bikes needs and look gorgeous..


http://www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalog/p ... o=29010CL3

[PeteF]

Gwilly talk sense there. If these are standard Indian shocks it's hardly worth it. Unless you just like to DIY. When I was young and fit I could do the C washer type by hand but I wouldn't like to try now.