Do these come apart?

[Guest]

I need to clean my rear shocks from my 82 1100G, does anyone know if these come apart and how? If not, will soaking them in rusteze do any damage?

[Nessism]

Yes you can remove the springs but it's not necessary. You can soak the shocks in the assembled state in some mild solution like Evaporust for a couple days and they will come out clean. Rinse in water and then hit them with some spray wax to retard the reformation of new rust.

[Higgibaby]

Yes you can remove the springs but it's not necessary. You can soak the shocks in the assembled state in some mild solution like Evaporust for a couple days and they will come out clean. Rinse in water and then hit them with some spray wax to retard the reformation of new rust.

Thats great! Thanks for the info, I'll try that tonight...

[Gorminrider]

if you have some cargo ratchet-straps, it's pretty easy to take the springs off. Just use the slack of the strap-don't bother with the hook ends they come with-tie a bend with the strap slack where the short-hook ends attach...
Theres a lock-nut where the rod attaches -you will see it.
But you can do a lot with a rag,stick and autosol or brasso too if you don't mind the time.
Someday I will try soaking things in solution but have never got around to it.

[GSX1000E]

Or... you could do it right and safely... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zinc-3-8-Sq-...338c6a&vxp=mtr

[Higgibaby]

Or... you could do it right and safely... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Zinc-3-8-Sq-...338c6a&vxp=mtr

Those are great! Have you used them yourself? At what point does the suspension come apart?

[GSX1000E]

I have a pair that looks just like those only gold in color. I place a double layer of electrical tape over each of the jaws to not scratch the finished product.
The top of your shock should have a C-shaped piece like these...

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b604/GSMagician/New%201100E%20basket%20case/DSC04127_zps66fbd0df.jpg

After you safely get the top retainer out, you slowly release the tension on the springs until they are free. Then you have something like these. (after and before pictured)

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b604/GSMagician/New%201100E%20basket%20case/DSC04126_zpsa889f973.jpg

http://i1294.photobucket.com/albums/b604/GSMagician/New%201100E%20basket%20case/DSC04131_zps924dffbe.jpg

[mrbill5491]

Those look like stock shocks, are they even worth saving? Mine were junk after about 10,000 miles.

[Phred]

Mine were like that as well, and when I took all the parts in for chroming, I was asked if i really wanted to do the shocks? The alternative was a pair of progressive shocks, which were not available in the day. For a few hundred bucks I got a really nice set of chromed progressive shocks. The ride is phenomenally different. There are lots of them available, you just have to measure the clevis holes and select. Well worth the investment.

[DPage]

I agree with MrBill, if those are stock/original shocks (and they look like it to me) they are toast by now. Even the ones you can get cheap on ebay are better than those. Start with fresh ones. There is a range of better rear shocks available, from ~$50/pair to ~$500/pair. Try a search, Bwringer had a good post on this topic.

Davep