Last year I found a 97 Katana shock for nothing.It need it to be painted.I checked it out to make sure the fluid was in there.(shake and listen) I hung it upside down over a bucket in my building.No leaks.I should've done a write up but I had no cam last year.All that's needed to take it apart is to release the springs tension from the locks.The locks are half moon shaped pieces on top of the spring.Here's my tool.
It's consist of 2 turn buckles 1/4 by 6 inches,3/8 bolt 4 inches long,2 nuts,and 2 S hooks.Total cost was $6.Parts come from any hardware store or home improvement store.I cut the toe out of a thick crew sock and used it to cover the spring.Cheap paint protection.
Here's the parts.
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/0506081831.jpg)
Here's how it's set up on the shock.
Top
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/0506081827a.jpg)
Bottom
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/0506081827.jpg)
Shock being put together.
(http://i205.photobucket.com/albums/bb17/ben_2_go/0506081826.jpg)
Safety Advice
When using this wear safety goggles and heavy leather gloves.Oil the turn buckles so the pressure won't cause the threads to stick and rip apart.Get them finger tight first and then do 10 turns on one and then 10 turns on the other.Repeat to keep to much pressure off the parts.Try to use fine thread turn buckles.More threads can take the pressure better.Slow and steady.Don't try to collapse the spring.Just enough that the half moon shaped locks can slide out.Cut the toe out of an old thick sock,and use it to cover the spring for paint protection.
Cool... thanks for the info! :cheers:
Nice, I'll keep this in mind if my '95 shock gets worse than it is.
Ben2go,
What is this for? Why does the shock need to be taken apart?
Quote from: El motociclista on May 07, 2008, 11:18:27 AM
Ben2go,
What is this for? Why does the shock need to be taken apart?
I disassembled the shock for painting.Nothing wrong with it, just looking weathered.This all started when I decided to spruce up my bike and add some mods and upgrades. :thumb:
Quote from: ben2go on May 07, 2008, 11:39:58 AM
Quote from: El motociclista on May 07, 2008, 11:18:27 AM
Ben2go,
What is this for? Why does the shock need to be taken apart?
I disassembled the shock for painting.Nothing wrong with it, just looking weathered.This all started when I decided to spruce up my bike and add some mods and upgrades. :thumb:
It never ends up being a simple "Sprucing Up" I'm currently looking at a stripped frame, a couple 6' lengths of 3/4" square tubing, a Ducati Monster Seat, K+N Lunchbox filter, Dis-assembled forks, and a ton of brake clean, primer, and paint cans lying around.
It never ends up something simple.
Quote from: ben2go on May 07, 2008, 11:39:58 AM
Quote from: El motociclista on May 07, 2008, 11:18:27 AM
Ben2go,
What is this for? Why does the shock need to be taken apart?
I disassembled the shock for painting.Nothing wrong with it, just looking weathered.This all started when I decided to spruce up my bike and add some mods and upgrades. :thumb:
Gotchya, thanks for the explanation.
Quote from: Fry on May 07, 2008, 03:46:34 PM
Quote from: ben2go on May 07, 2008, 11:39:58 AM
Quote from: El motociclista on May 07, 2008, 11:18:27 AM
Ben2go,
What is this for? Why does the shock need to be taken apart?
I disassembled the shock for painting.Nothing wrong with it, just looking weathered.This all started when I decided to spruce up my bike and add some mods and upgrades. :thumb:
It never ends up being a simple "Sprucing Up" I'm currently looking at a stripped frame, a couple 6' lengths of 3/4" square tubing, a Ducati Monster Seat, K+N Lunchbox filter, Dis-assembled forks, and a ton of brake clean, primer, and paint cans lying around.
It never ends up something simple.
Yea, the suspension is getting swapped out,front and rear, along with fresh paint on the new pieces.Rejet,K&N,performance exhaust,bigger rear wheel,new brakes,new upgraded clutch,oil change,new plugs.The only thing that will be GS when I'm done is the frame,engine core,carbs,seat,rear plastics,headlight and gas tank.That's the 89 in my avatar.
My 1990 GS project bike will only be a GS frame ,seat,and core engine.Everything else will be 1 off parts or better parts from other bikes.
I used a pipe bender ... but yea this works too ... and ...
Once you get the spring off, you can hold the crimped end to a bench grinder and hold the chrome rod with your hand and the shocks hydraulics will spin with the grinder motion and it will nicely machine itself open in a few mins ... like a $30 lathe ... then you can make a cap with threads, and a threaded tube welded on it and the shock is now openable ...
Cool.
Buddha.
Reviving this thread for those that maybe wanting to disassemble their shock and paint it.
Legit! Thanks Ben!
You're welcome.
One question for you - do all year Katana 600 shocks work? Ive got access to a like new 05 Katana 600 shock Id like to use....
Thanks
Quote from: SIKDMAX on June 15, 2008, 06:20:06 PM
One question for you - do all year Katana 600 shocks work? Ive got access to a like new 05 Katana 600 shock Id like to use....
Thanks
Yes all 600/750 shocks should work.
Bump.Hope for sticky or FAQ.
Bump
I saw this post earlier which was a good thing. I wanted to replace the spring on a standard GS500 shock and your tool inspired me to cook something up myself as well.
Pictures of the procedure and tool are here ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmelchio/sets/72157627334892650/
Thanks for the inspiration.
Probably overkill but a cheap automotive coil spring compressor would probably work
-Jessie
Harbor Freight $9.99 specials
(http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_736.jpg)
Quote from: jmelchio on August 25, 2011, 10:50:26 AM
I saw this post earlier which was a good thing. I wanted to replace the spring on a standard GS500 shock and your tool inspired me to cook something up myself as well.
Pictures of the procedure and tool are here ... http://www.flickr.com/photos/jmelchio/sets/72157627334892650/
Thanks for the inspiration.
Your tool is safer than mine and reusable.Mine is only ment to be used once and the tossed.Really like the design.If I do another one,I may steal your idea.
You're welcome for the inspiration.
Quote from: BaltimoreGS on August 25, 2011, 11:13:53 AM
Probably overkill but a cheap automotive coil spring compressor would probably work
-Jessie
Harbor Freight $9.99 specials
(http://www.harborfreight.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_736.jpg)
I tried one of those and they are way to big and can possible damage the chrome on the shock rod.That's what led me to build the one I posted.
Quote from: ben2go on August 25, 2011, 03:47:47 PM
Your tool is safer than mine and reusable.Mine is only ment to be used once and the tossed.Really like the design.If I do another one,I may steal your idea.
You're welcome for the inspiration.
Yes, it's reusable and pretty safe as well. As you may have noticed I didn't have the top and bottom holes lined up very well. It still works but if you make one like it make sure to line them up, it will work a lot smoother.
Quote from: ben2go on August 25, 2011, 03:47:47 PM
I tried one of those and they are way to big and can possible damage the chrome on the shock rod.That's what led me to build the one I posted.
Good to know :thumb:
-Jessie
I am just in a process of putting katana spring on a stock gs500 shock. I have managed to bend s links. pi$$ed off I just cut the stock spring and after this coffee I am drinking i will go and buy 6 biggest s links available.
It should work then.
Just keep in mind, dear potential me. Not all is easy as it looks to be...
Quote from: sikiriki on October 22, 2012, 04:06:56 PM
I am just in a process of putting katana spring on a stock gs500 shock. I have managed to bend s links. pi$$ed off I just cut the stock spring and after this coffee I am drinking i will go and buy 6 biggest s links available.
It should work then.
Just keep in mind, dear potential me. Not all is easy as it looks to be...
There are problems with your adventure.The Kat shock spring is longer and slightly larger in circumference than the GS shock unless it's damaged.Compressing a larger spring to fit on a shorter shock is dangerous and won't have the travel that the stock GS shock did.My spring compressor idea that I posted was not meant to completely compress a spring.It was meant to remove the pressure from the half moon locking clips,fo the lack of a better term, so the shock could be disassembled for cleaning and paint.
Well... I took your idea and stretched the boundaries a bit. After 2 tries, and few broken pieces, I put biggest pieces that could do the job. Afraid for my head, after I almost lost an eye, I put helmet on :icon_twisted:
Sucker is mounted, plastic protection tube could not fit, but no biggie. ride is firmer and on lowest position. I need to tighten it, it feels low.
Definitely not worth it though, but I'll wait with the final judgement after I try it on the road...
muchas gracias
Just to give final thought, after some 50ish miles of test ride, all i have to say is GREAT.
Combined with 15/39 and a new chain it is smooth and i can feel what goes on under my bottom.
Be careful when doing this.
As I said, be extremely careful. I just returned from a ride. I crashed. To make it short and relevant for someone reading this tread, If you change the spring (FOOLISH THING TO DO) you end up with a strong spring and insignificant amount of damping. As soon as you hit a road that is not perfectly flat, you are going down... :thumb: