Kat Shock - Too Rusted to buy? (Part Deux)

[pronator]

Okay, how about this one? It's from a 1997 Kat 600.

And is that thingie coming off the shock the line to an external reservoir?

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Any opinions on this kat shock? I'm thinking it may be too rusted and old to buy. But it supposedly compresses well.

[mach1]

the shocl itself isnt rusted all that much but a better shock of the shock itself and not the coil would be better but fom what you posted it looks fine you can sand the spring yoursefl and repaint and will look fine

[ben2go]

I agree.I had a thread about disassembling a Kat shock for painting.  http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=41239.0

[The Buddha]

If the chrome rod is rusted dont buy it, all else can be fixed. The body can be sanded and painted, the springs can be sanded and painted or be sand blasted and powdercoated, collars, retaining rings etc etc are all sand and paint or blast and coat. That chrome rod is reallt about the only one that cant be ...
Cool.
Buddha.

[ben2go]

I agree.You can get a good shock that's rusted cheap,spend a rainy day cleaning and painting it.Cheap and good as a nice expensive used one.Rusty spring is why I painted mine.

[pronator]

Thanks for all the opinions and advice. You guys - and this forum - rock! 

Hmm, the photos were sent to me by the seller. I didn't actually see the thing for myself. 

From the side shot, the chrome rod (or what can be seen of it) looks pretty good. Any other feedback? I'll probably reply to the seller by lunch tomorrow (pacific time ).

[trickniner]

The only other thing you might want to consider is if the shock is worth the 20 bucks plus the work of tearing it down and repainting when I've heard of others getting ones that don't need any work for almost the same amount of money.  I know I only paid 30 bucks for mine off of a '98 and it looked brand new.  Plus I was able to throw it right on the bike as soon as I got it and test it out, no worrying about taking it apart to repair rust.  Something to consider I think, maybe try and get it for less.  Otherwise there will alyways be others.

[pronator]

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

I ended up passing on it because I didn't want to deal with the cleaning/repainting. And I'm not in a big hurry to upgrade the rear. I'll see how things feel after I swap out the springs in the front.

If I could just figure out how to adjust the freaking collar on the stock shock...I've read the wiki and a ton of threads but the collar tool, long flat screwdriver (with and w/out hammer), etc haven't made it budge. 

And while I'm we're on the subject    where is the indicator for the current setting of the stock shock? Is there an arrow or something to show what it's set on? Showing my true n00b colors. 

[ben2go]

Thanks to everyone for the advice!

I ended up passing on it because I didn't want to deal with the cleaning/repainting. And I'm not in a big hurry to upgrade the rear. I'll see how things feel after I swap out the springs in the front.

If I could just figure out how to adjust the freaking collar on the stock shock...I've read the wiki and a ton of threads but the collar tool, long flat screwdriver (with and w/out hammer), etc haven't made it budge. 

And while I'm we're on the subject    where is the indicator for the current setting of the stock shock? Is there an arrow or something to show what it's set on? Showing my true n00b colors. 

It may help to spray the bottom of the spring and collar with a good penatrating oil.Suzuki is notorious for using metals that rust easily.

[pronator]

Something like WD-40?

[ben2go]

Should work.

[pronator]

Thanks, Ben! 

[The Buddha]

That shock was in great shape ... the chrome damping rod I couldn't see, but the spring was not bad at all.
Cool.
Buddha.

[pronator]

Buddha, dude, seriously?!

You're killing me, man! 

[ben2go]

Thanks, Ben! 

You're welcome.

[pronator]

bump - added another shock (in the original post) for you guys to examine. 

[The Buddha]

Cant see the rod, but it seems same as other one above.
And yea suzuki put a stupid cable adjusted rebound dial on some of them ... we toss it in the nearest dumpster ... or OK fine you fit what looks like a cigarette lighter under your butt and people will get all sorts of ideas.
I have a contraption that will let you spilt a shock in 2 seconds ... if you have the rest of it (either hydraulic or a mechanical leverage arm), I can send you the magic tool. Kat shocks literally fly apart, the clevise is on the reservoir with no delicate parts there. the GSXR shocks have the rebound dial and hence require more precaution. These are just drop in and press. And dude, a shock does not have to be pretty ... it should be nice and sealed and all the moving parts need to be in good order, but other than that ...
Having said that, to split open one and make it pretty is a common feeling.
Cool.
Buddha.

[pronator]

Okay, what do you mean by "split a shock"? And why would one do such a thing? (Beyond curiosity, of course!)

Or do you mean disassemble?

Speaking of which, does anyone have a photo of what a disassembled Kat shock looks like when you take it apart for repainting? ben2go had pics of his rig for disassembly but not the actual pieces you're left with.

And if I understood Buddha correctly, you can sand and paint everything except for the chrome rod?

Thanks! 

[ben2go]

Okay, what do you mean by "split a shock"? And why would one do such a thing? (Beyond curiosity, of course!)

Or do you mean disassemble?

Speaking of which, does anyone have a photo of what a disassembled Kat shock looks like when you take it apart for repainting? ben2go had pics of his rig for disassembly but not the actual pieces you're left with.

And if I understood Buddha correctly, you can sand and paint everything except for the chrome rod?

Thanks! 

Yea I didn't have a cam when I disassembled my shock.   When you compress the spring,remove the 2 banana shaped split washer at the the top.Then the top collar comes off,next the spring and lower collar.When I reassembled mine, I used brake grease on the collars and bottom of the springs.Now my shock turns smoother.It's still not the easiest adjustment.

[The Buddha]

Yea compress it and take the interlocking pieces off and it comes apart.
BTW I have sliced open more than 1 shock ... as in cut open the fluid and damping part. I cut them open to help me learn what makes it work and how to mod/rebuild it.
The chrome rod if has rust pits in it, will tear the seal and your shock will leak. Its not a cosmetic issue then.
BTW does this mean you're not interested in my blue, completely powdercoated katana shock
Cool.
Buddha.