Cleaned Up Original Shocks

[Eli69]

I wanted to see if these old shocks were worth keeping. Were they actually damping like they're supposed to? So I disassembled them using the pictured straps to tighten the springs. The shocks still seem to work so I decided to clean them up and use them.

Before and after pic w/ spring tightening straps:

I used this wire wheel and drill extension to clean up the inside of the springs. Afterwords I sprayed the springs with clearcoat in hopes that they will not just rust up again.

By the way, the damping adjustment on the top, under the rubber cover, I - IV, made quite a bit of difference in how easily the shocks return to extended from compressed. More than I had thought.

 

[Grimly]

Yes, well; depending on your riding conditions, be aware of a weakness of the OEM shocks. The rubber cover that hides the damp-adjust wheel also harbours road salt and quietly corrodes away the top of the shock body underneath.
I found this out in a highly amusing way, when the bike was being strapped down for transport and one of the shock bodies separated from the frame. Not the fault of the transport guy, it was rotten.
I'm just glad he brought it to my attention, indirectly

 

[SVSooke]

My old 1000 shocks are in surprisingly good shape to.This reminds me I want to see where the damping's set.Got the springs off the same way,works great don't it.

 

[Guest]

I might have just soda blasted them. The same result with a whole lot less work.

 

[Eli69]

I might have just soda blasted them. The same result with a whole lot less work.

around here we call it pop.

i'm kidding. that'd be cool but is there a way to check the functioning of the shocks with the spring on?