XJ700 shock spring removal

In order to be able to test the rear shock of my 86 XJ700S, I would like to know how to remove the spring. I will build a spring compressor for this, but I need to know which end has to come off.

Looking from the top I see no signs of a retainer ring that can be removed when the spring is compressed. I think I can see a hex nut on the inside of the cap though. This could mean the eyelet can be unscrewed?



On the bottom side there is a slight opening in the adjuster ring. This could mean the ring may be removed sliding it downwards over the 2 notches when the spring is compressed. According to the diameter measured over the notches I must open the ring 18 mm. I find it hard to believe that this is meant to go that way.

I hope someone has done this before and can help me out.

Thanks

Rob

 

You are correct - they come off the top, not the bottom where the adjuster ring is. I don't know that particular shock, but those top caps are usually just cosmetic and come off before the real work begins.

 

I can possibly save you a whole lot of headaches.

Look closely at the shock; does it have a "KYB" logo on it anywhere?

How many miles on the shocks?

If they're original KYB "spring preload adjustment only" type shocks and have over about 6000~8000 miles on them, I can about guarantee there is little or no damping left.

 

Thanks for your replies.

Altus, the cap on top is holding the spring and if I am right it is held between the hex nut and the flange of the eyelet. I suspect that this type of build offered the advantage of offering the same shock for various eye to eye distances. Mine is 12-3/4, but adjusting it to 13 would be feasible.

Unless the eyelet can be unscrewed whilst holding down the cap, I fail to see how the cap can come off.

Bigfitz, what you are saying is the main reason I want to make sure that is what it is. The label states KYB, mileage of the bike is (at least) 20k, and all the reading I have been doing points into that direction. What I do not know if these are the shocks that came with the bike. They might as well have been replaced at some moment in time.

Riding the bike does not immediately show the shocks are worn out. My survey is part of checking the points that might contribute to the well known 40 mph wobble when decelerating.

Rob

 

Those appear to be the stock, original shocks for an XJ700-X models (should have three machined rings or grooves in the upper skirt/cap). They are made by Showa (not KYB) and are a pretty good quality shock.

They are actually a 13" shock, unlike all the other XJ models, which used the 12.5" shock.

BTW, besides the XJ900 shocks, the XJ750 Seca and XJ750 Maxim (but NOT the Midnight Maxim) shocks (again, made by Showa) are also very good, hi-po shocks, as they feature both pre-load and rebound (damper) adjustments.

 

Chacal, you're right about the rings/grooves



EDIT: I measured the length more accurately today and it is 327 mm, which is closer to 12-3/4" than it is to 13".

The label states KYB, so I do not know about the Showa make.

I do not see any other adjustment than the pre-load ring. Perhaps this works like some Koni's used to: press the rod all the way in and then turn the rod? If that really is the case, there ought to be an easy way to remove the spring first!

 

Today I finished the spring compressor. I decided to build it in a way it would only compress the spring and leave the shock itself free to handle



Compressing the spring I could slide the shock back and forth and found the eyelet on top is indeed screwed on (M12x1,25) and locked by the hex nut I mentioned earlier. This nut apparently does not hold the cap as I suspected it could. I loosened the eyelet



and could remove the shock out of the spring. Here are all the parts



Compression and rebound tests are satisfactory I think. Rather easy to compress and harder to extend.

Thanks for your help.

Rob

 

Hey I was only bad-mouthing the "low end" KYBs. The Showas are indeed a far superior unit to begin with.