shocks

[catbed]

is there a way to take the rear shocks apart to polish the inner chrome?

[Nessism]

I was able to take apart my 550 shocks by reaching in with a wrench and spinning the top off. Wound up sticking the springs and bodies in a tub filled with Evapo-Rust solution - great stuff that took the rust off (down into the rough texture of the metal) but did not hurt the chrome.

[catbed]

was it hard to get them back together?

never heard of that stuff, gotta try some though, if its as good as they say.

also, what is the numbered dial on top of the shock?

[robertob]

I was able to take apart my 550 shocks by reaching in with a wrench and spinning the top off. Wound up sticking the springs and bodies in a tub filled with Evapo-Rust solution - great stuff that took the rust off (down into the rough texture of the metal) but did not hurt the chrome.

You mean you pulled the shafts and pistons out? I think my shocks are welded closed, but maybe I've never looked at them closely enough.

[TheCafeKid]

No..he pulled the springs off. I dont think the stock Showa shocks are rebuildable, so you cant get them completely apart.

[robertob]

No..he pulled the springs off. I dont think the stock Showa shocks are rebuildable, so you cant get them completely apart.

OK I got a little excited there. I was going to go home and start experimenting with shock oil.

[Nessism]

Yea, the Kid's got it.

550 shocks don't have damping adjustment (knob at the top) so taking off the springs on your shocks may be more difficult.

[catbed]

any more hints/tips/suggestions/ideas

[bwringer]

any more hints/tips/suggestions/ideas

The stock shocks are the crappiest crap that ever crapped a crap. They're dangerous wobbly crap that will make your bike handle like crap, too.

The stock shocks are not even remotely worth fooling with, other than the minimal effort required to unbolt them and carry them to the trash bin.

Replace ASAP with Progressive or Hagon shocks, and enjoy your far safer and better handling GS.

Don't forget to replace the fork springs and change the fork oil, too.

There'a a good inexpensive source for Progessive stuff in the "reviews section.

For Hagons, you call up Dave and talk about your riding style, your bike, and your weight. He'll choose the proper damping and spring rate and ship you a set. They start at around $196 a set.

Larger folk have had good results with the inexpensive MDI or Emgo shocks you find for around $80 a set. They're too stiff for smaller riders, though.

[JTsGS650]

The stock shocks are the crappiest crap that ever crapped a crap. They're dangerous wobbly crap that will make your bike handle like crap, too.

Six uses of the word crap in only two sentences. Bravo!

[emjay]

Six uses of the word crap in only two sentences. Bravo!

A bit kinder than the typical "Eff you, you effing eff" that I tend to get.

[hp1000s]

Geez, Brian seems to have a definite(and relatively accurate) opinion on this subject. Ha. Favorite line from the TV show,Scrubs; "...they are bastard-coated bastards, with bastard filling!".

[bwringer]

I dunno, maybe I wasn't clear enough... :twisted:


I arrived at the above sentiment honestly. A few weeks after I brought my GS850 home (this was in 1997), I took my wife for a ride. In a long, high-speed sweeper, the bike started wallowing badly due to the aforementioned crapness of the original shocks.

In the pilot's seat, I'm thinking: "Hm. Bit of a wallow from those crap shocks. Better dial in a bit more throttle to stabilize things, ride through it, and order those Progressives when we get home. Ooh, look -- a cow. Purty."

However, back in the passenger seat, my wife was convinced she was about to shake hands with Jesus. Her life passed before her eyes, she prayed a few rosaries, shed a tear or two for her poor orphaned son, and quickly prepared for a certain, horrible, and painful demise.

At that point, she heard and felt me roll on the throttle, sending us to our imminent bloody doom even faster...


She's still mad. Ten years later. Up until that ride, she had enjoyed riding with me quite often. Now it pretty much takes an Act of Congress to get her on the back of my bike.

Crappy shocks are dangerous to you and possibly your marriage.

[catbed]

im probably not going to upgrade my shocks this winter or spring. maybe summer, when i start riding a lot. the notches on the bottom of the shocks, is that pre-load?