GL1200I Rear suspension

[carlh2269]

Can the rear suspension shocks be repaired or serviced on my interstate? One of them is leaking oil so it might be best to do both of them.
If so where would be the best place to send them in the UK.

[Ernestee00]

Yes, you can repair the shocks, they are in fact the same as the ones from the gl1100, bit different spring rate though.
The set should contain, seals and bearing bushes, but the latter can still be ordered from Honda.
It's a dirty job as you'll have to drive the seals out with compressed air and the oil flies all over the place if you do not cover everything properly.
There will be service shops in the UK that will service Ohlins for instance, they will know how to replace the seals.
One word of caution, if the bellows have been damaged and road dirt has ingressed the shock, the hard chrome layer will be damaged, then it is better to replace them by used one (rebuilt of course).

Regards

Ernest

[Ernestee00]

Take a look at the youtube video from a GL1100:

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[carlh2269]

Thanks for the tip Earnest. I've taken 1 shock off now but the clip is not a circlip as shown in the video. What's fitted is a spring circlip with no obvious way of removing it. It looks as though I have to push the black washer/seal down far enough so I can use a pick so as to get behind it and try to prise it out.
This isn't going to be easy by the looks of it.

[Ernestee00]

Hi Carl,

The spring clip is easy to remove, but indeed you first have to push back the seals against the pressure of the spring.
You need to construct a rig to push this in and at the same time still have access to the spring clip.
I always use a thick wall PVC pipe, notched for access to the spring clip and a large clamp.
Depending on the internal springs, standard or stiffer aftermarket it takes a bit of effort to press and remove the clip.
Good luck.

Ernest