Rear shock spring

[Squashed_Fly]

Is it possible to remove the spring from the rear shock?

I wanted to get it off, sand it down and re-paint it. It's the only part of the bike that has any amount of rust/weathering aside from minimal paint pitting on the swingarm. But it would be nice if I can get it cleaned up and looking new again. I'll fit a hugger then, or a shocksock.

[Mitch9128]

MH racing can, and will fit a new one, you can't. Or get a decent looking second hand one off Ebay, or find out which shocks from other bikes fit i.e. a ZX9r or ZX12r.

Got a hugger, and they are great for protecting the shock/swingarm, but i wouldn't buy a shocksock, people tend to fit them and forget as they can't see it, then when you do take it off it a mess as crap gets under them and rots it.


Here's a guide to lengths/strokes to see what would/may fit.

Make Model Year Shock Length (mm) Shock Stroke(mm)
Suzuki Bandit 600 2000-2004 319 55
Suzuki Bandit 650 2005 319.5 65.5
Suzuki Bandit 1200 1996-2000 306 64
Suzuki Bandit 1200 2001-2005 320 (+6/-0) 61
Suzuki GSXR 600 1992-1993 312 (+12/-0) 67
Suzuki GSXR 600 2001-2003 325.5 (+6/-0) 74
Suzuki GSXR 600 2004-2005 332.5 (+6/-0) 74
Suzuki GSXR 750 1985-1987 290.5 61
Suzuki GSXR 750 1988-1991 312 (+12/-0) 67
Suzuki GSXR 750 1992-1995 312 (+12/-0) 67
Suzuki GSXR 750 1996-1999 356 (+6/-6) 79
Suzuki GSXR 750 2000-2003 325 (+6/-0) 74
Suzuki GSXR 750 2004-2005 332.5 (+6/-0) 74
Suzuki GSXR 1000 2001-2002 329.5 (+5.5/-0.5) 74
Suzuki GSXR 1000 2003-2004 332.5 (+6/-0) 74
Suzuki GSXR 1000 2005 319 70
Suzuki GSXR 1100 1986-1988 315 69
Suzuki GSXR 1100 1989-1992 312 70
Suzuki GSXR 1100 1993-1998 312 70
Suzuki Hayabusa 1999-2006 330 72
Kawasaki ZX6R 2003-2004 340 (+12/-0) 72.5
Kawasaki ZX6RR 2003-2004 340 (+12/-0) 72.5
Kawasaki ZX6R 2005 335.5 (+12/-0) 64.5
Kawasaki ZX6RR 2005-2006 330 (+12/=0) 63.5
Kawasaki ZX7R 1996-2001 350 (+12/-0) 75
Kawasaki ZX9R 1994-1997 348 79
Kawasaki ZX9R 1998-1999 330 (+12/-0) 69
Kawasaki ZX9R 2000-2001 338 67
Kawasaki ZX9R 2002-2003 338.5 67.5
Kawasaki ZX10 1988-1989 314.5 67
Kawasaki ZX10R 2004-2005 338 (+7/-5) 69
Kawasaki ZX12R 2000-2005 338 (+7/-5) 67
H*nda CBR 600 F 1987-1990 292 50
H*nda CBR 600 RR 2003-2006 313 (+0/-6) 59.5
H*nda VFR 800 FI 1998-2001 325 58
H*nda VFR 800 FI 2002-2005 317.5 53.5
H*nda CBR 900 RR 1992-1995 319 (+12/-0) 54
H*nda CBR 900 RR 1996-1997 305 (+12/-0) 60
H*nda CBR 900 RR 1998-1999 303 (+12/-0) 57
H*nda CBR 900 RR 2000-2001 286 (+4/-2) 57
H*nda CBR 900 RR 2002-2003 288 (+2/-4) 57
H*nda CBR 929 2000-2001 286 (+4/-2) 57
H*nda CBR 954 2002-2003 288 (+2/-4) 57
H*nda RC51 2000-2005 326 (+10/-2) 63
H*nda CBR 1000 RR 2004-2006 314 (+6/-0) 58
H*nda VTR 1000 F 1997-2005 346 60
H*nda VTR 1000 SP1 2000-2001 326 (+10/-2) 63
H*nda VTR 1000 SP2 2002-2005 326 (+10/-2) 63
H*nda CBR 1100 XX 1997-2005 319 52
Yamaha YZF 600 1994-1999 360 (+12/-0) 70
Yamaha YZF R6 1999-2002 305 (+4/-2) 62
Yamaha YZF R6 2003-2004 295 (+5.5/-0.5) 62.5
Yamaha YZF R6 2005 300 (+0/-6) 62.5
Yamaha FZR 750 1987-1988 300.5 54
Yamaha FZR 750R 0W01 1989-1991 360 76
Yamaha FZR 1000 1987-1988 300.5 54
Yamaha FZR 1000 1989-1995 340 70
Yamaha YZF 1000 1996-2000 340 (+12/-0) 69
Yamaha YZF R1 1998-2001 300 (+11/-1) 65
Yamaha YZF R1 2002-2006 300 (+5.5/-0.5) 64.5

[njl]

Yeah, but aside from getting the shock off the bike 1st, you may need spring compressors perhaps, and to find out how to seperate the top from the damper rod.

I suggest you could skip ahead to the shocksock stage, no one would ever know...

With the spring on the damper you could still give it a sand down and repaint, just dont get any crud into the damper.

Or splash out on something bling
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ZX6R-G2-OHLINS-SHOCK-IMACULATE-WILL-FIT-J1-J2-636A1P-/160585017995?pt=UK_Motorcycle_Parts&hash=item25639 cea8b

[Squashed_Fly]

Don't think I would ride it hard enough to justify ohlins. But it does bug me that it looks so knackered. May try just doing as said and sand/repaint while on the damper.

[Scotty]

...May try just doing as said and sand/repaint while on the damper.
Tut! Tut! The bodgers are about... ::) ::) ::) The easiest thing to do is get a new spring - depending on the colour you want - White; go for a WP, Yellow; go for an Öhlins, Turquoise; go for a Nitron etc. - a new spring doesn't cost too much at all - Google bike suspension specialists and contact a few to see how much a spring would set you back, they'll all know what the standard spring rate for your bike is and would probably have a replacement on the shelf. 8-)

[Squashed_Fly]

I asked in George Whites, and they said I'd have to replace the whole shock, at a cost of almost £500 hence seeing if there was an easier way...

If I can get a new spring, I might just do that. I take Jen as Pillion quite a bit so a harder spring might be a good idea while I'm at it...

On my downhill mtb, you used to be able to take the shock out, compress the spring a bit, and unscrew the locking nut and then take off the preload adjuster and then the sprint would slide off the shock body. Is it not the same with my ninjas shock in principle?

[Mitch9128]

No, you've got gas 'n' **** involved :D Ring Mark http://www.mhracing.com/ he can swap a spring no problem, at least you'll have the correct weight in there too, and re-gas it.

[Squashed_Fly]

Any idea what it's likely to cost? Just called them and they said Mark is out until middle of next week...

[Mitch9128]

Any idea what it's likely to cost? Just called them and they said Mark is out until middle of next week...

Less than £500 :) Should be around £180 for a service and re-spring.

[spudgun]

you can sand and repaint it without taking it apart
here's mine - cost about £4 and a bit of time

[Mitch9128]

Just heard these are good too http://www.firefoxracing.co.uk/servicing.html £150 for a service and respring.

[Cemorah]

Put a Hyperpro progressive on the VFR -what a difference. Cost £82.00 from JHS racing in Keynsham
I do have spring compressors but with a friend at the mo.
Its a simple job but a bit scarey. Alternatively JHS will fit the spring if you buy it from them.

[njl]

If you do take the shock off take the time to grease up all the linkage pivots too, as it's something that just doesnt get done all too often

[470four]

Would advise powdercoating on the spring - paint will tend to crack & break off over time as the spring compresses & twists under load, will be a better finish all round too.