Shoestring rebuild: rear shocks?

D

Don Sterchi

Member
Hello again. Each morning I sit in our attached garage sipping my coffee and appraising my 1970 CT70. My Christmas gift that year, I'm a retired man on a fixed income rebuilding my bike. Air box is stripped, primed and painted. I'll get to reuse the original rubber boots, but did have to buy new end seals. Carb rebuild is done and I won't know if I was successful until I'm done and things are reassembled. And thanks for the help here folks.Saving money where I can.
I've looked at the parts diagrams and such showing the rear shock's construction. My originals seem to sag, and they have squeaked for decades. I know that $70 will get me a reproduction pair of shocks already painted gold to match my bike.
Is there a way to rebuild my original rear shocks? Of course if a kit is say $50, I'd be better getting repros. I hate to sound ignorant, but I cannot find an answer. Are the shocks spring only or is there a pneumatic component to them?
Thanks. Don
 
OLD CT

OLD CT

Well-Known Member
Don, right now on ebay there are new repro dratv topaz orange shocks with a starting bid of $39.99 with free shipping. 8 days left on the auction. I get it they are not candy gold but they are closer looking to stock than the 70 dollar plus shipping chp shocks. I have them on 2 of my bikes and they work great for the money. Sometimes you sacrifice something if you want to save some substantial bucks. Am I right? They can always be sprayed later. If you want to see them type in ebay's search bar, 383032335257 Compare them both, dratv and chp's to yours,and you be the judge.
 
D

Don Sterchi

Member
Wow I will look. Thank you. Don

Late note. I did go to the Ebay site and believe the repro shocks are a better choice for me. Thanks again folks. Don
 
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scooter

scooter

Well-Known Member
There are several posts on the site relative to rebuilding the internals that I support when folks ask. I had some special tooling made a while back and still have new seals etc. new seals, straighten center shaft, new oil,... Good as new for sure

Do these for folks who want to maintain their originals. NOS shocks are hard to find and usually expensive. I wanted a rebuild option so invested in an approach for my builds and still do them for members
 
kirrbby

kirrbby

Well-Known Member
I can vouch for scooter's rebuilt shocks. I ran them on my dax, and I'm running them on my black & red...Recycled Cycle. I'm 170 pounds, and they do the job for me.
scooter does a great job on them.
For a restored bike, they are as good, or maybe better than NOS, imo.
 
D

Don Sterchi

Member
Thank you. What is the cost per shock please Scooter? is is it possible to give a price without the shock in hand (which I would understand)? Don
 
D

Don Sterchi

Member
Yes Scooter I've been out of town in Northern KY. Your process sounds great. My rebuild is not coming as fast as I'd prefer though and..... I have to buy tires for our 2012 Ford Escape, which must come first. I'm keeping your post and information for when I get closer to needing new or rebuilt shocks. Thanks so very much. Don
 
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