does anyone know how to remove the springs
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 240
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does anyone know how to remove the springs
Do you need a special tool to remove the springs from the shock unit? I have them off and I'm tryin to figure out how to remove the top and bottom and springs so I can powder coat.
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 14,564
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From: the 50s & the 60s
RE: does anyone know how to remove the springs
ORIGINAL: speed8988
Do you need a special tool to remove the springs from the shock unit? I have them off and I'm tryin to figure out how to remove the top and bottom and springs so I can powder coat.
Do you need a special tool to remove the springs from the shock unit? I have them off and I'm tryin to figure out how to remove the top and bottom and springs so I can powder coat.
mud
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: does anyone know how to remove the springs
Yes you will need a spring compressor tool to get the springs off and later, to put them back on. These tools can be shop made if you are so inclined, but like Mud said, 'What kind of machine are you working on?'..........pg
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 413
Likes: 1
From:
RE: does anyone know how to remove the springs
You can make a spring compression tool if ya have any flat steel laying around. Just notch it for the piston shaft and put one hole on the other side. Use 2 long bolts and compress:
________
IO I
I ___ I
I I II
I I I I
I I I I
II I I
I---I I---I
Make 2 of these and slip it over the piston shft. I would use tie wraps to hold the spring in place on the compression tool just as a safety precaution.
________
IO I
I ___ I
I I II
I I I I
I I I I
II I I
I---I I---I
Make 2 of these and slip it over the piston shft. I would use tie wraps to hold the spring in place on the compression tool just as a safety precaution.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 312
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From: NC
RE: does anyone know how to remove the springs
Went to a friend's machine shop to disassemble a '99 LowRider's coil-over the first time. We wanted to measure the tension (psi) on the coil before releasing so we could compress to the same psi upon reassembly. I guess you could measure coil length distance and get in the ballpark when reassmebling.
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
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RE: does anyone know how to remove the springs
I went the local HD dealer and they wanted $79 to remove them take what 15 minutes at the most and my spring compressor for car spring it too big for those little springs. I figured hell for what Harley wants to remove and put back once powder coated I cound have a set of progessive for $20 more. I hate the HD dealer a bunch of ******.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: does anyone know how to remove the springs
Yeah and that's why I keep harping......screw those dealers and do it yourself. Hey, if it cost you even money to make your own tool and do it yourself you are still way ahead.
You have freed yourself from the talons of the greedy dealer, and you do not need his help (nor the expense that accompanies it)
You can make your own compressor. I have made one for mine using steel plates and all thread rod, so it can be done. Forget going to a dealer and figure how you can do it yourself. Not only on this subject of shock spring removal, but everything else as well...........pg
You have freed yourself from the talons of the greedy dealer, and you do not need his help (nor the expense that accompanies it)
You can make your own compressor. I have made one for mine using steel plates and all thread rod, so it can be done. Forget going to a dealer and figure how you can do it yourself. Not only on this subject of shock spring removal, but everything else as well...........pg
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
RE: does anyone know how to remove the springs
ORIGINAL: piniongear
Yeah and that's why I keep harping......screw those dealers and do it yourself. Hey, if it cost you even money to make your own tool and do it yourself you are still way ahead.
You have freed yourself from the talons of the greedy dealer, and you do not need his help (nor the expense that accompanies it)
You can make your own compressor. I have made one for mine using steel plates and all thread rod, so it can be done. Forget going to a dealer and figure how you can do it yourself. Not only on this subject of shock spring removal, but everything else as well...........pg
Yeah and that's why I keep harping......screw those dealers and do it yourself. Hey, if it cost you even money to make your own tool and do it yourself you are still way ahead.
You have freed yourself from the talons of the greedy dealer, and you do not need his help (nor the expense that accompanies it)
You can make your own compressor. I have made one for mine using steel plates and all thread rod, so it can be done. Forget going to a dealer and figure how you can do it yourself. Not only on this subject of shock spring removal, but everything else as well...........pg
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
RE: does anyone know how to remove the springs
Good for you Speed. That was a good idea of stopping in at a dirt bike dealer. Other members should remember to do the same when they need a simple task done with a tool they do not have. Cheaper than any HD dealer! The results of your effort were a reminder of how the HD shops once were. Those days are gone forever, now it's just a big greedy business enterprise.
Give you an example: Several years ago a new Harley dealer came to Houston TX. The shop was built brand new in this huge two story building alongside a major freeway. Since I have been riding since 1957 (wow, 50 years now) and lived in Houston all that time I do know a little bit about the history of the shops that have come and gone.
Anyway I went into this new dealer when he just opened and struck up a conversation with a couple of the brand new employees who were bending over backward to please. That has since changed, by the way. I was curious who the owner was and how he obtained a franchise, how was this owner connected with motorcycles etc.
What I found out was this guy owned all of the GNC stores on the upper West Coast before the dealership. He lived in the Northwest, sold the GNC and bought the Harley franchise, moved to Texas, and set up shop, so to speak. Had nothing to do with motorcycles previously. He is just another business man. And a greedy one at that.
His dealership looked like he had an inside line direct to the factory by looking at all the goo-gaws hanging on the wall. All these people are in there buying this stuff right and left, along with the motorcycles he had floor planned on the showroom, which were many.
Well, you can't go back into the shop. even if your machine is being worked on. You can get no help unless you buy it for $80 per hour. Ya-da, ya-da, ya-da.
I can well remember during the 1960's when Harry Stelter, the owner of Houston's original Harley Davidson dealership would loan me tools from the Stelter Harley Davidson Shop to take home and use on Sunday and Monday to work on my own bike, with the only stipulation that I be there to return them when he opened on Tuesday morning. I of course never failed to do that.
Can you imagine such customer service today? Never happen. These dealers are nothing but big business today and I say....
Screw them, up close and personal..........pg
Give you an example: Several years ago a new Harley dealer came to Houston TX. The shop was built brand new in this huge two story building alongside a major freeway. Since I have been riding since 1957 (wow, 50 years now) and lived in Houston all that time I do know a little bit about the history of the shops that have come and gone.
Anyway I went into this new dealer when he just opened and struck up a conversation with a couple of the brand new employees who were bending over backward to please. That has since changed, by the way. I was curious who the owner was and how he obtained a franchise, how was this owner connected with motorcycles etc.
What I found out was this guy owned all of the GNC stores on the upper West Coast before the dealership. He lived in the Northwest, sold the GNC and bought the Harley franchise, moved to Texas, and set up shop, so to speak. Had nothing to do with motorcycles previously. He is just another business man. And a greedy one at that.
His dealership looked like he had an inside line direct to the factory by looking at all the goo-gaws hanging on the wall. All these people are in there buying this stuff right and left, along with the motorcycles he had floor planned on the showroom, which were many.
Well, you can't go back into the shop. even if your machine is being worked on. You can get no help unless you buy it for $80 per hour. Ya-da, ya-da, ya-da.
I can well remember during the 1960's when Harry Stelter, the owner of Houston's original Harley Davidson dealership would loan me tools from the Stelter Harley Davidson Shop to take home and use on Sunday and Monday to work on my own bike, with the only stipulation that I be there to return them when he opened on Tuesday morning. I of course never failed to do that.
Can you imagine such customer service today? Never happen. These dealers are nothing but big business today and I say....
Screw them, up close and personal..........pg