Remove Rear Springs from Shocks?

[herostar]

Hi everyone,

I'm in the process of fixing up my 81 gs450 and want to make the rear suspension look better. I'm trying to keep this on as small of a budget as possible, so for now I'd like to keep the rear suspension as-is since it's working fine.

To make it look better (not rusty) I'd like to clean and re-finish the rear shocks and springs. I already have them off the bike.

Is there a way to separate the stock springs from the shocks?

Thanks in advance!

-Chris

[salty_monk]

Yes... you need a set of spring compressors. I have a set from Pit Posse that run about $45.

Dan

[Redneck]

Okay the Noobiness is showing here but, I also had the same question. So I get a spring compressor and squeeze the spring how then do I take apart the shock and spring. I don't see anywhere to unbolt.

[Big T]

The top spring holder disc should either slide off (if it has a groove) or unscrew some how

[hampshirehog]

No need to get the spring compressor. Wrap some heavy duty strapping or rope around the top of the spring (or as near to the top as you can get) and the bottom of the shock (through the eye or the fork). Use a long screwdriver or similar and twist the strap tourniquet style. Easy and you won't risk marking anything.

[Redneck]

Sweet idea I had not even thought of that. That means I can get to work on cleaning up the pair I have laying around. Cool Thanks for the tip.

Paul

[Nessism]

I did this with tie down straps and while I got'er done, $45 for the proper tool is a bargain.

[ruler7171]

I used this method and was able to get mine apart

Now......complete newbie question to follow.....

When I push the rod into the shock, shouldn't there be a good deal of resistance and then it should push back out?

Mine have little resistance and then will stay in.

[bwringer]

I used this method and was able to get mine apart

Now......complete newbie question to follow.....

When I push the rod into the shock, shouldn't there be a good deal of resistance and then it should push back out?

Mine have little resistance and then will stay in.

Yep. The stock shocks were dangerous crap when they left the factory, and 30+ years haven't improved them one bit.

You are polishing a turd, in all but the most literal sense.

[mrbill5491]

I used this method and was able to get mine apart

Now......complete newbie question to follow.....

When I push the rod into the shock, shouldn't there be a good deal of resistance and then it should push back out?

Mine have little resistance and then will stay in.

I'm assuming those are the original shocks? If so, time for new ones. The original shocks on my 750 crapped out about 3 years after I bought it.

[samboss260]

Guys, can you post a link to the tool in question?

There is one on amazon.com, with mixed reviews. But seeing as I have two shocks on the back, and it ain't a sports bike, I can't see them being too hard to compress.

[Ton1959]

When I used to put my Koni shockabsorbers together I just put a big screwdriver through the top in the vice. Then pulled the spring down with two hands and have my younger brother to put the sliding part into the top.

[Big T]

that may work on stock springs, but my Marzzocchis would need a gorilla to do that

I have a sliding bar spring remover

[Ton1959]

that may work on stock springs, but my Marzzocchis would need a gorilla to do that

I have a sliding bar spring remover

I know it doesn't work on the suspension from my R1100R either.

[steve murdoch]

Guys, can you post a link to the tool in question?

There is one on amazon.com, with mixed reviews. But seeing as I have two shocks on the back, and it ain't a sports bike, I can't see them being too hard to compress.

This is the one i bought.
Pricey if you are only going to use it once but i have used it at least 10 times with no problems.

http://pitposse.com/pospcoset.html