Front Showa on GSA non serviceable ?

[mspenz]

Sent both shocks down to KAIS for a refurbish and to get Hyperpro progressives fitted as the bikes done 43k miles and I'm mostly 2up and often loaded. The rear unit had started to knock and the front has lost any damping.
They have done the rear no problem (as well as welding on a easy access fill screw for future use) but they tell me that the top on the front shock is crimped on rather than plugged so it cannot come apart to get serviced

I can't afford a complete upgrade unit so have posted a wanted for one from a low mileage bike and I can fit the Hyperpro myself.
Anyone?

Mike.

 

[Ant1967]

Phone Firefox in keighley and ask if they can do it or they can do a YSS front shock which is completely rebuild able for about £250 ish

 

[mspenz]

Phone Firefox in keighley and ask if they can do it or they can do a YSS front shock which is completely rebuild able for about £250 ish

Ok, thanks for that I'll give them a call.
I would assume though that KAIS should know what they are talking about given their pedigree but hey ho

 

[JJH]

Yes they just don't have the equipment to do the job. If I remember correctly Firefox can make your shock rebuildable and sort it out.

 

[MattW]

I don't think you can make a crimped shock rebuildable (at least not cost effectively). I think the references to companies 'making shocks rebuildable' refers to them brazing on charging points so they can be re-gassed.

If you can't get the damper rod / seals / washer pack out of a shock, you can't rebuild it.

 

[Neil W]

They cannot be rebuilt in the conventional way ie you cannot fit new seals , but if the seals are are not leaking they a can be modded so that the old oil can be drained and they can be refilled and regassed , speak to ABE, they did the front on my old 1150 over 4 years ago and it is still fine.

 

[Steptoe]

As in the post above. ABE rebuild/service front shocks without any problems and have done for years.

 

[mspenz]

Maybe KAIS are more used to doing specialist race stuff and can't really be bothered with the basic everyday stuff.
Didn't ABE have a big fire recently and are they fully operational again?

 

[mspenz]

Anyone know if there are different unit numbers for crimped and conventional plugged shocks? I've been offered one from a 28k mls bike but I could end up in the same position before the end of the summer but if it's the plugged version then it could be worth it.

 

[JJH]

Yes they just don't have the equipment to do the job. If I remember correctly Firefox can make your shock rebuildable and sort it out.

Again these people uncrimp the shock and work some magic to make the unit rebuildable JJH

 

[mspenz]

Didn't call Firefox today but I've just emailed ABE and will now also send the same email to Firefox. Thanks.

Mike.

 

[mspenz]

Got a reply from Firefox, servicing a crimped shock unit is just not economically viable so they have suggested a YSS replacement. No reply from ABE yet..

 

[MattW]

Again these people uncrimp the shock and work some magic to make the unit rebuildable JJH

I'd love to see how they 'uncrimp' a shock. Have you seen the press that puts these things together?

I'd guess their 'service' is probably a re-oil and re-gas it *if* the seals are good...

 

[Steptoe]

I'd love to see how they 'uncrimp' a shock. ..

I've watched it being done. . Very simple if you're rebuilding shocks all day long which makes it worthwhile buying or making the equipment needed.

 

[MattW]

I've watched it being done. . Very simple if you're rebuilding shocks all day long which makes it worthwhile buying or making the equipment needed.

I stand corrected

 

[mspenz]

I've watched it being done. . Very simple if you're rebuilding shocks all day long which makes it worthwhile buying or making the equipment needed.

I take it ABE have the necessary equipment to do this?
No reply to my email yet so I'll give them a call tomorrow.

 

[mspenz]

Spoke to a very helpful gentleman at ABE today and he said that it shouldn't be a problem and will be in the region of £100.
Just have to wait for the shocks to get returned from KAIS now and I can send the front unit down