GSX1400 Owners .org

Technically Speaking => Suspension => Topic started by: lawrie on Friday, 24 March 2017, 06:23 AM

Title: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: lawrie on Friday, 24 March 2017, 06:23 AM
Any of you experts out there ever stripped these units??

If so, whats the secret of getting that bloody spring circlip out from the pump-body, took me a full day, that thing was NOT meant to be removed, & I very nearly ended chucking in the bin!!
The jack-screw was stripped, but all ok now as I have made new parts.
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: lawrie on Monday, 27 March 2017, 11:01 PM
ANYBODY????

Ok, so maybe no-one has delved-in this far.
So this is what I did just in case any others need to do this.

I got hold of a pair in need of a re-furb, basically good condition, but they each had a different problem with the adjusters ( as usual )
One had its adjuster just rotate with nothing happening, the other had the knob missing, & that too wasn't right.
Anyway, both were taken apart only to find one pump jack-screw completely stripped & the other was wound out past it limit & the retainer was forced off & the innards were loose inside!!
I'm pretty sure these units are not intended to be dismantled as the internal wire spring-clip is snapped into a blind recess with no way to get behind it for removal, so I thought I had nothing to lose by a bit of (sorry) butchery!!
Suffice to say they were eventually removed & stripped, one screw was stripped beyond repair so it had a new jack-screw made, & the end cap was re-coiled, 4 new jack 'O' rings, 2 new piston 'O' rings & 2 replacement adjusting knobs were made, a bit of tarting up, re-assembled & fitted, look good, work good so all is good!!
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yzndk5ro4r11obj/RearShock16.jpg?dl=0



Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: bigfathairybiker on Tuesday, 28 March 2017, 10:38 PM
Hi,

I will be stripping a set of ohlins piggys from an old cb750f2n soon.
Basically the same as the gsx shocks but without the adjusters.
I will report my findings with piccys.
Then once I've sussed em, I'll do the same to the gsx.

But... I think your talking about an internal circip without eyes?
I've removed these using a three screwdriver method. One stops the ring rotating. One to prize out one end and one to use as a lever.
I had to file down the tips to fit and also use several as levers just like you would remove a tyre from a wheel.

Mark
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: lawrie on Wednesday, 29 March 2017, 04:30 AM
Hi Mark, you're spot on about the circlips, however, it this instance things are different, 'normal' clips are positioned level with the retainer-plate so removal is simple & i've done loads, BUT, here the clip-groove is BELOW the plate & there is an annular groove around the top-face of the plate & on assembly its hard pressed into place & its then not accessible,  since it below the plate, there's no-where to pry the clip out.

If its possible, i'll do a CAD drawing & post it, you'll see the problem then.
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: lawrie on Wednesday, 29 March 2017, 06:04 PM
Don't know if it works, but if it has, the 2 uprights are the cyl wall, the top cross piece is the normal way circlips are fitted, the lower one is the way our clips are fitted, you can see how difficult it is to pry it out.


https://www.dropbox.com/s/tkfr6c92j7m7t13/CirclipInBore.jpg?dl=0
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: VladTepes on Wednesday, 29 March 2017, 07:41 PM
You're a talented guy lawrie !
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: bigfathairybiker on Friday, 31 March 2017, 07:00 AM
Is this the circlip in the air reservoir?
If so the plate should push down allowing full access to the circlip.  As should the piston in the main  shock.
After releasing the air that Is...


Mark
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: lawrie on Friday, 31 March 2017, 05:33 PM
No, it holds the end-plate of the oil jack, if the black plastic adjusting knob is removed, the plate & circlip is revealed, trouble is, the plate is hard down onto a 'ledge' & can go down no further, hence the difficulty in removing it.
I didn't put enough detail on the drawing & did not show the 'ledge' but it can be seen in pic 5 , where you can see the ledge down the bore, & the plate & screw are at the top of the pic.

As for the 'air' there ain't none!!   Its nitrogen & it under high pressure, so I personally would make no attempt to release it, & even then, I don't have the necessary to re-charge it.
Just try & 'crack' the bottom mount-eye by the thumb-wheel to see what happens, it scared the bejeesus out of me. :embarrassed: 
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: lawrie on Friday, 31 March 2017, 05:49 PM
Quote from: lawrie on Friday, 31 March  2017, 05:33 PM
No, it holds the end-plate of the oil jack, if the black plastic adjusting knob is removed, the plate & circlip is revealed, trouble is, the plate is hard down onto a 'ledge' & can go down no further, hence the difficulty in removing it.
I didn't put enough detail on the drawing & did not show the 'ledge' but it can be seen in pic 5 , where you can see the ledge down the bore, & the plate & screw are at the top of the pic.

As for the 'air' there ain't none!!   Its nitrogen & it under high pressure, so I personally would make no attempt to release it, & even then, I don't have the necessary to re-charge it.
Just try & 'crack' the bottom mount-eye by the thumb-wheel to see what happens, it scared the bejeesus out of me. :embarrassed:
No, on second thoughts, best NOT to try the above, I'm a loony, &  don't wish to be responsible for your blowing-up. :grin:
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: bigfathairybiker on Saturday, 01 April 2017, 10:22 AM
Ok. I see.

Air/nitrogen... don't really matter too much as air is 80% nitrogen!
100 to 200psi... usually.. no harm in letting it out.  But you then have to pump it back up!

I've started the disassembly of the showa shock I have. Gone well so far. But only one circlip  in air reservoir.

Mark

Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: GeorgeHutchinson on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 03:11 AM
Hi lawrie

I'm new to this forum malarky, so early apologies if I don't follow etiquette.

I've just bought a pair of K5 shocks with intention of refurbing them myself, so was interested to see your post.

I'd be very interested if you have any photos of the dismantling/rebuilding process.

Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: seth on Saturday, 13 May 2017, 03:21 AM
hiya George
have a good look through the furom as quite alot of info on rebuilding/refurbing the shocks.
if you get stuck just ask . :cheers:
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: GeorgeHutchinson on Sunday, 28 May 2017, 07:34 PM
Thanks Seth

Had a good look around, but nothing much in the way of photos of the dismantling process, or the internals. I just don't want to wade in and butcher the whole lot!

I've already been through the o-ring replacement repair on a pair of K3 shocks off my own bike. Got the springs powder coated while I was at it.

I got these K5 units cheap enough to try playing around with them.  The compression asjuster has seized on one unit and need a good tidy up, but they seem fine otherwise.

Would be great if someone would have photos or info on the re-gassing process.

😎

Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Simonic on Sunday, 16 September 2018, 08:31 AM
[quote ] if the black plastic adjusting knob is removed
[/quote]
What holds the knob in please ?
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: KiwiCol on Sunday, 16 September 2018, 12:08 PM
Not sure what holds it on, but a 4lb sledge & a cold chisel gets it off . . . :stir: :whistling:
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: ARH on Sunday, 16 September 2018, 05:31 PM
Quote from: Simonic on Sunday, 16 September  2018, 08:31 AM
[quote ] if the black plastic adjusting knob is removed
What holds the knob in please ?
[/quote]

I maybe wrong Simonic, but I think there is a very small 'roll pin' holding it in.  From memory it's only pushed in from one side so would be very difficult to get out without drilling in form the opposite side.
Having said all that I may be talking complete tosh and someone else will be along to give you the right info... :lol:
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Speedy1959 on Monday, 17 September 2018, 03:06 AM
There was a link on here earlier to a Russian guy who was dismantling his rear shocks..
ARH you are correct about the roll pin from one side..
The Russian guy appeared to have "Dremelled" either side of the roll pin to a depth of say 1mm.
He could then use needle nosed pliers to grip the exposes bit of pin and remove it.
The Black plastic adjuster was then removed very easily.
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Simonic on Monday, 17 September 2018, 04:03 AM
Thanks gentlemen. Great info
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Mister Fishfinger on Monday, 17 September 2018, 05:04 AM
I can confirm what Speedy (and others) said. It's a pin, I think about 6mm long and it is pushed in flush to the surface.
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Bq on Monday, 12 June 2023, 07:23 PM
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Monday, 17 September  2018, 03:06 AMThere was a link on here earlier to a Russian guy who was dismantling his rear shocks..
ARH you are correct about the roll pin from one side..
The Russian guy appeared to have "Dremelled" either side of the roll pin to a depth of say 1mm.
He could then use needle nosed pliers to grip the exposes bit of pin and remove it.
The Black plastic adjuster was then removed very easily.


Hello All,

I know this is an old topic but some might help this useful later.
I just got to this issue this weekend, and found that the easiest way to get out the knob (with the less damage) is to hit the pin more forward with a hammer and a thin nail (or something). You might check to rotate the knob during, but basically there is enough room inside the knob's groove for the pin to fall into, and you can then remove everything together. No need to butcher the adjuster housing, also the pin can be re-used if you want.
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Speedy1959 on Monday, 12 June 2023, 08:31 PM
Brilliant Bq
That's VERY useful.
One of my adjusters is extremely stiff and can no longer be moved by hand.
Well done for sharing this.
S.
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Notty on Monday, 12 June 2023, 09:10 PM
I have a spare set in my stash - were ok when I put them there, should I check?  :)
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Speedy1959 on Monday, 12 June 2023, 09:19 PM
Quote from: Notty on Monday, 12 June  2023, 09:10 PMI have a spare set in my stash - were ok when I put them there, should I check?  :)
Blime Notty you and your stash !!
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Notty on Monday, 12 June 2023, 09:23 PM
Quote from: Speedy1959 on Monday, 12 June  2023, 09:19 PM
Quote from: Notty on Monday, 12 June  2023, 09:10 PMI have a spare set in my stash - were ok when I put them there, should I check?  :)
Blime Notty you and your stash !!
I am at that "just in case, may come in useful age "  :)
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: GSXKING on Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 05:13 AM
Is your STASH at your place ? Or still at a fellow orgsters  :whatever:
Title: Re: Rear shocks overhaul
Post by: Notty on Tuesday, 13 June 2023, 05:36 AM
Quote from: GSXKING on Tuesday, 13 June  2023, 05:13 AMIs your STASH at your place ? Or still at a fellow orgsters  :whatever:
All in mine now - Froudy's shed has been emptied of stuff  :rofl2: