rear shocks gl 1200

[86 goldwing]

ok so i know there is a lot of info on the shocks here and i have read most of them
so i decided to try to drain the oil out of my shocks
took the lines off hung them over a bucket and let them drain
its been about 24 hours and i would say there is maybe an ounce in the bucket
and thats from both shocks
so does that mean there was no oil in the shocks to begin with or is something stopping the oil from draining
note these shocks have been taken off another bike and been sitting in a box for about three years
a small amount of oil had drained out into the box but not much
also the oil looks like standard motor oil golden color but smells awful
so not sure if it is even the right oil in there
any info would be a great help
thanks mike c

[WingAdmin]

ok so i know there is a lot of info on the shocks here and i have read most of them
so i decided to try to drain the oil out of my shocks
took the lines off hung them over a bucket and let them drain
its been about 24 hours and i would say there is maybe an ounce in the bucket
and thats from both shocks
so does that mean there was no oil in the shocks to begin with or is something stopping the oil from draining
note these shocks have been taken off another bike and been sitting in a box for about three years
a small amount of oil had drained out into the box but not much
also the oil looks like standard motor oil golden color but smells awful
so not sure if it is even the right oil in there
any info would be a great help
thanks mike c

Typically the shocks need to be pumped up and down through their full action to fully evacuate the oil through the various chambers and orifices. You're not going to be doing that with the springs on them, so usually the springs are removed and then the shocks are pumped up and down.

[86 goldwing]

thanks wingadmin looks like i will have to at least remove the oil seal really dont want to remove springs dont have all the proper tools to get into that at this time
was wondering if maybe the shocks have been converted to progressive spring and thats why not much oil in them
ant thoughts on that ?

[86 goldwing]

just on a whim i decided to measure the length of the shocks from eye center to center i am reading 12 1/2 inches does that seem right
i have read on another thread that it should be some where around 14
are these shocks toast ?

[Goldenponyboy]

Did you try and make one of those plywood and threaded rod, spring compressors? Looks like it would be cheap and easy.

[Rednaxs60]

just on a whim i decided to measure the length of the shocks from eye center to center i am reading 12 1/2 inches does that seem right
i have read on another thread that it should be some where around 14
are these shocks toast ?

13 3/4 " sounds better.