Pre-load oil leakage (Fixed)

[John Galt]

Then just reverse, re-install.
Put the adjuster on, compress, install the clip, release, tighten the tiny screw.
(I forgot and had to go in and tight that screw with the shock installed. Very patiently!!)
Re-install shock, final fill oil, cycling and "bleeding" at the bolt a couple of times.
I painted the spring for fun.
Yes, I used those dirt cheap copper washers from Harbor Freight. They are full thickness and worked just great.

 

[John Galt]

Measuring and ordering these o-rings, i was very unsure because they were mashed, oblong, and hardened, but these seem to be the exact right sizes.

This has held without a leak for several days now, and I honestly can't remember when the ride on the rear suspension felt this nice.
(171k miles, first time I removed the shock)
Wish i could have figured this out a long time ago.

If this fails and bleeds off in a couple of years, I will repair again.
If it fails soon, I will shim the adjuster to the midpoint and leave it!

Hopefully this is helpful to someone.

 

[Sadlsor]

One job here i have postponed, due only to uncertainty (and time of course).

Are there no automotive-type spring compressors that would save building your own? Like maybe even a loaner from AutoZone, etc.?

This is very helpful to one (me) who has never done it.

Did you have to weld anything on your device, or is it all cutting, grinding and drilling?

Thanks again!

 

[ST1100Y]

Are there no automotive-type spring compressors that would save building your own?

I've precautionary gotten me a set of m/c specific ones, can't tell yet if they'll work...

 

[John Galt]

One job here i have postponed, due only to uncertainty (and time of course).

Are there no automotive-type spring compressors that would save building your own? Like maybe even a loaner from AutoZone, etc.?

This is very helpful to one (me) who has never done it.

Did you have to weld anything on your device, or is it all cutting, grinding and drilling?

Thanks again!

There are MC specific ones, but after reading here and around...I didn't trust them for this heavy spring. Maybe if you used four of those light ones instead of two??

I did buy the automotive set from Harbor Freight, but after a LOT of grind/ fit/ grind/ fit...I was not going to get there. And it was going to bear on and possibly dent the shock body. Found a thread on this forum where someone did dent theirs this way.

No welding or specialty anything.
Basic cut, grind, drill.
It turned out to be overbuilt, thus felt very safe. It is nicely contained and can not "slip out" or similar.

The work on the shock/ adjuster was easy and simple (to my surprise), whereas I found just getting the shock out and back in to be more trouble.