Can XJ900 shocks be rebuilt?

I know this might be far fetched but is it possible to rebuild the stock shocks on the 900? I've got the top ring off and the big circlip wire. Does one end unscrew? I'm thinking probably not since this is gas, right? Not oil? Or am I way off base. The XJ900 manual basically says if they leak, take em off and throw them away. Mine don't leak they were just super filthy. I got them clean but I'm wondering about a rebuild.

 

i think id just replace them with something newer...

there was a set on the 'bay for $19.99 starting bid last week or the week before. supposedly came from a bike with about 17,000 miles (10,625kM) on it...

i got the foot pegs and coils for about $25 plus shipping...

 

Probably someone 'could' rebuild them.
But "other" shocks cost from $200 EACH and up for a rebuild.
Likely Not what you had in mind I suspect?? :wink:

 

The end of the cartridge itself is swaged, it does not unscrew.

Prying apart ruins it.

Rebuildable OEM shocks are rare or nonexistant.

 

I bought "rebuildable" shocks for the Norton, years ago. They're still fine which is good--- the company (Mulholland) is long gone. I don't know where I'd ever find the parts to rebuild them.

I'd invest in a nice new set of Progressives and be done with it.

 

According to the "sst Seca 900" guy they are rebuildable, he found a guy.
Look at his site. (I'm away from my notes)

 

Shocks shoudl not cost more than 50-60 bucks to rebuild. Unless you have leaking seals that would add to the expense. A stnadard rebuild is relieving the nitrogen pressure, disassembling the shock, cleaning everything, reassemble and add new oil. Bleed the air out of the oil, do the final assy and pressuraze with nitrogen. IT costs me 30 bucks per shock for my snowmobile shocks and I have them done every 1500-2000 miles. If they are rebuildable there will be a fill port near the eyelet on the shock body side. It can be either a brass fitting with a screw in it or a schreader(sp) valve fitting like a where you fill tire. The brass fitting is far more common.

 

Just for the record a kilometer is smaller than a mile so the shocks would actually have around 27300 kms on them. Not trying to be picky just don't want any confusion.

 

I got the shocks off my 900. I removed the bottom black castelated plastic ring at the bottom that unscrews, along with a wire that hooks on underneath the ring. After a thorough cleaning, I found that neither is leaking oil, nor in particularly bad shape. They both cleaned up fairly well. However, the springs seems pretty weak. I can compress them almost completely while seated on the bike. Is there a way to remove the chrome ends to access the spring and replace it?
I want to keep the original shocks because they were pretty advanced for the time with the reservoir and all.
thx for any advice,
baz

 

I'd also love to know if there's a how to on taking these shocks apart, at least externally. The bottom out bumpers on the shocks I just picked up are rotten and I'd love to be able to access them and replace them..

 

Guy at GP Racing Suspension in Idaho can rebuild them, but it costs about 300.00 for the pair.

 

Not gonna do it, wouldn't be prudent! Come on guys! Rick? Chacal? Bueller?

 

I don't think the damping suufers much on these shocks over the years but the springs certainly do. The best thing I ever did was have a suspension shop meke me up heavier springs! No more pillion bottoming out...WELL worth the effort