Air shock cylinder scratches - is it done for?

[LeYak]

Hi all,

here I am once again to probe your collective brains on a new issue I discovered today with the 1500. It had been suffering from vague-ish steering and bottoming out, especially two-up, and very slowly losing air pressure (although riding two-up made it lose like 20 psi in 1h30). So I figured I check the suspension. The spring shock looked pretty shot, and the air shock had a bit of oil collecting at the bottom of the boot. I then ordered a replacement shock (a used Hagon Nitro) and new oil seal, back up ring and boot to bring the air shock back up to snuff.

Now, I installed the Hagon today, and removed the air shock. Underneath the boot, I saw something that I did not quite appreciate: scoring on the inner cylinder of the air shock, with a couple scratches running almost the entire length of the cylinder and deep enough that I can really feel them with my fingernail. One even sort of catches it. See picture. Also, it had virtually no oil left in it.

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but the inner cylinder cannot be removed from the outer one, right? If I'm correct about this, this'll be nigh impossible to fix properly, right? So, the question is: is this shock done for or is there hope for it?

Thanks in advance for your wisdom.

Edit: typo

[Rambozo]

Anything can be fixed, but I suspect this is not an economically viable repair if you have to ask.

[LeYak]

Yeah, you're probably right. It's a bit of a pain because this bike just keeps giving me stuff to invest in, which is not exactly what I wanted it for . Also, these parts seem to be less available around here than, e.g., in NA. Nevertheless, I guess it's a used parts hunt for me!

Worst case: if I can't find a decent one on short notice, I could just refill this one and use it as it weeps oil. Should be good for a little while at least.

Thanks for the reality check!

[Rambozo]

You have to remember it's a 28 year old bike. It's going to cost you to keep it. Just like a 28 year old car. Or something really expensive, a 28 year old wife.

[WingAdmin]

You have to remember it's a 28 year old bike. It's going to cost you to keep it. Just like a 28 year old car. Or something really expensive, a 28 year old wife.

OK, that made me really laugh out loud!!

[LeYak]

You have to remember it's a 28 year old bike. It's going to cost you to keep it. Just like a 28 year old car. Or something really expensive, a 28 year old wife.

Yeah, you're probably right, about the old bike bit at the very least Guess this is getting into classic bike territory. And classic bikes with seven separate vacuum driven systems are not likely to be the most frugal ventures

[joecoolsuncle]

i have refurbed many hyrdraulic cylinders by polishing lightly with emery cloth wrapped around the shaft and while pulling back and forth, allow it to move slowly up and down the shaft.vise the cylinder so the opening is pointed down, or tape off the cylinder opening to avoid abrasives from getting in there. then replace with new seal, bushing etc.
note, square sealing surface seals work better for the application.

[WingAdmin]

If the scratches are deep, you can do a rehab using J-B Weld. You mix up the J-B Weld, and work it into the scratch as well as you can. Wait for it to cure, then use a fine abrasive like emery paper or 1500 grit sandpaper to polish back to the chrome again. This leaves the chrome shiny and clean, and the J-B weld fills up the scratch.

J-B Weld is hard, but it's nowhere near as hard as chrome, so this is not a permanent fix, but it will last quite a while before it needs to be done again.

[LeYak]

Thanks peeps, that gives me a plan B if the used part hunt doesn't turn up what I want (e.g., only shocks in a similar state). The smaller scratches are definitely polishable, the bigger ones would probably need a filler, so good to hear about JB weld being up to that task for at least a while.

I'm just happy to have options (and helpful Wing-men)

[LeYak]

Hey all,

just a quick update for closure's sake.
Ended up finding a part in decent nick for not an exorbitant amount of money. Replaced the replaceable bit and everything on that one, added fresh oil and installed. Yet to go for a test ride but seems to hold air well (no pressure loss standing still over two weeks).

BTW, it does indeed seem to help get the old oil seal out if you add ample penetrating oil to the spacer before carefully knocking it deeper into the shock. Everything cam blasting out much faster and easier than anticipated with compressed air.