disassemble rear shocks?

How do I get these apart so I can sand and paint them? I removed the roll pin at the top but can't get them to separate. They are from a 81 kz 440 but going on my 83 kz550.

I figured it out.

So, how exactly did you take the shocks apart?

Had to remove the roll pin, compress the spring about an inch to get to the slotted part on top of the piston, then un screw the cap.

Here it is all cleaned up ready for paint.

way to perservere!
thanks for sharing.

leon holmes

I'm trying to fit some Suzuki shocks but the top mount is a differnt size. Plus I would like to paint them too. What did you use to compress the spring? I'm trying to modify a car type spring compressor.

I just pulled the spring down by hand, wedged a screwdriver in between the cap and the spring, then shoved a small socket in there. Then I just kept cramming in larger sockets untill I could squeeze a wrench in.

I have used huge zip tyes I got at Lowes, the strongest I could find, to do a dirt bike rear monoshock. One on each side.

To put it back together, I used 2 big washers, 2 nuts and a piece of threaded rod.

Crank the nuts down to compress the spring, zip tye it compressed, then slowly loosen the nuts again.

Put the spring on the shock, put it together, and cut the zip tyes.

That's probably what I would try here too...I think it would work. You don't need to compress it all that much to get them back together anyway. If the springs seem too stiff, then don't do it.

Just don't point the springs at anything you want to keep.:laugh:

Painted and reassembled, used the zip tie technique.

Some good info. And they sure do look good.

Nice job, though for $35 one of these is mighty handy.

street.parts-unlimited.com/21/173/7867353

Nice job, though for $35 one of these is mighty handy.

street.parts-unlimited.com/21/173/7867353