Do the shock "covers" come off a 71 CB500/4?

[edelweiss]

Hi,
Please see picture below of a bike I've seen where the rear shock springs are exposed and there is no chrome cover over them. Can I remove the chrome covers for the rear springs on my 71 CB500/4? Do they just come off or is a mod (cutting) involved?

Thanks everybody!

Best,
John

 

[Flugtechnik]

Yes, they can be removed. however you will have to disassemble the shock. To do this, you will need to buy/rent/make a tool that will compress the spring. Try searching this forum for "spring tool". There are probably a few in the $50 Mod thread.

 

[edelweiss]

Hi Flug,
Very cool! I love that look!

Thanks for the help buddy! I will check out the $50/mod area...

Best,
John

 

[MotorbikeBruno]

Yes, they can be removed. however you will have to disassemble the shock. To do this, you will need to buy/rent/make a tool that will compress the spring. Try searching this forum for "spring tool". There are probably a few in the $50 Mod thread.

Agreed. There's some great DIY tools out there. I've used a ratchet strap before (although I use 2 just in case one snaps!)

 

[mark13018]

You can cut them off also. Easier and not noticeable unless you know that your looking for them on purpose... My brother just recently did it to his bike. Let me see if I have a PIC.

 

[edelweiss]

Can a shop take them off for a couple bucks? Seems like I would spend more time rigging some jig up for a one-time removal.

 

[mark13018]

Sorry, It's the best pic I could find and it is my brothers bike about 4 weeks ago on bottom and about 2 weeks ago on top after his garage caught on fire... It didn't take him but 30 min with a dremel and they were off.

 

[edelweiss]

Man! That is so horrible to see a beautiful bike like that burned up! Damn! So sorry.

To tell you the truth, I would be afraid of cutting too deep and hitting other metal underneath. Plus, I don't have a dremel

 

[mark13018]

WHAT!!! No dremel!?!? . Hahaha.. I can't even count the times a dremel has saved my life. 8)

If you've never used one you might hit other metals but once you use one for a little bit you get the hang of it.

Yeah, my brother was really depressed about it... Shit sucks. His insurance coverage just had ran out 2 weeks prior and he didn't renew so he was out completely on his bike as homeowners ins wouldn't cover it either... I took care of him though. You can see in my SIG on the "project x" link. I mildly built a bike for him and he's been riding it for a week or two now.

 

[edelweiss]

I do have a Dremel multi max, but don't trust myself on the bike. The Multi max goes side-to-side.

Sorry about that bike. It was a nice clean looking ride!