Painting rear shock springs?

Collapse
X
 
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts
  • 1978GS750E
    Forum Sage
    Past Site Supporter
    Super Site Supporter
    • Apr 2016
    • 1244
    • Lexington, KY

    #1

    Painting rear shock springs?

    I've got a lot of rust on the rear factory shock springs off of one of my GS750's. Anyone ever tried to paint the springs? What paint did you use? How did it hold up?
    Ron
    '78 GS1000E, '79 GS850G, '82 GS1100E, 2022 Triumph Tiger 660 Sport
  • jsandidge
    Forum Sage
    Past Site Supporter
    • Jun 2013
    • 1482
    • Norfolk, Virginia

    #2
    I sandblasted my original ones and painted them with black appliance epoxy. It held up well, but take note, it takes a loooong time to cure. Don't compress the springs for at least a couple weeks if you want the finish to stay smooth.
    https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
    1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
    1981 HD XLH

    Drew's 850 L Restoration

    Drew's 83 750E Project

    Comment

    • cowboyup3371
      Forum LongTimer
      Past Site Supporter
      • Apr 2010
      • 13998
      • In Ohio Now

      #3
      Are they the stock springs? If so, why not just upgrade your shocks to Hagons or Progressives?
      Cowboy Up or Quit. - Run Free Lou and Rest in Peace

      1981 GS550T - My First
      1981 GS550L - My Eldest Daughter's - Now Sold
      2007 GSF1250SA Bandit - My touring bike

      Sit tall in the saddle Hold your head up high
      Keep your eyes fixed where the trail meets the sky and live like you ain't afraid to die
      and don't be scared, just enjoy your ride - Chris Ledoux, "The Ride"

      Comment

      • bonanzadave
        Forum Guru
        Past Site Supporter
        • Jul 2006
        • 9623
        • Minnesota

        #4
        Originally posted by jsandidge
        black appliance epoxy.
        $4.00

        Originally posted by cowboyup3371
        Hagons or Progressives?
        $250-$400

        Thats why

        Check out the Parts For Sale section. A guy like Mr. Witttom might have a nice used pair.....
        Last edited by bonanzadave; 04-02-2017, 11:17 AM.
        82 1100 EZ (red)

        "You co-opting words of KV only thickens the scent of your BS. A thief and a putter-on of airs most foul. " JEEPRUSTY

        Comment

        • RichDesmond
          Forum Sage
          Past Site Supporter
          • Jul 2011
          • 2757
          • NoVa

          #5
          Yeah, but the aftermarket shocks will have actual damping.
          '20 Ducati Multistrada 1260S, '93 Ducati 750SS, '01 SV650S, '07 DL650, '01 DR-Z400S, '80 GS1000S, '85 RZ350

          Comment

          • jsandidge
            Forum Sage
            Past Site Supporter
            • Jun 2013
            • 1482
            • Norfolk, Virginia

            #6
            Originally posted by RichDesmond
            Yeah, but the aftermarket shocks will have actual damping.
            Very true. I rode one season on my very bouncy, painted shocks. Then I upgraded to a set of hagons on the rear and sonic springs up front. What a difference!
            https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9zH8w8Civs8ejBJWjdvYi1LNTg&resourcekey=0-hlJp0Yc4K_VN9g7Jyy4KQg&authuser=fussbucket_1%40msn.com&usp=drive_fs
            1983 GS750ED-Horsetraded for the Ironhead
            1981 HD XLH

            Drew's 850 L Restoration

            Drew's 83 750E Project

            Comment

            • Joe Garfield

              #7
              Originally posted by RichDesmond
              Yeah, but the aftermarket shocks will have actual damping.
              Posts like these really make me wish this forum had a 'like' button

              What an amazing difference it is to upgrade from 30+ year old shocks to even the cheapest pair of Hagons! I know people don't want to spend a bunch of money on a bike 'that isn't worth much' - but thorough enjoyment of your riding time is worth so much! And the new shocks opened the envelope, so to speak, on what I can do with my bike and how I ride it.

              Regarding paint: shock springs are constantly moving when you ride, so my thought is that any kind of 'paint' that stays flexible would be best. And if they're chrome they probably need some kind of surface prep, which could be hard to do on all sides of the spring.

              Hagon shocks are $220 list.

              I could be coerced into selling mine (low miles) for a little less. I love them but now have been thinking about fully adjustable and rebuild able shocks after getting spoiled by my 2016.
              Last edited by Guest; 04-02-2017, 07:29 PM. Reason: OCD as usual.

              Comment

              • Guest

                #8
                You'll have to blast the chrome to make the paint adhere and I'd bake them (crappy old toaster over or BBQ) to make sure the pain really holds up. Works fine enough if you're happy enough with the old shocks. Lots of guys buy new shocks but I've followed (tried to keep up) to enough riders on here that still have the old shocks, and even the stock front springs, to know that you don't always need to have the newest and greatest to be able to have fun and ride hard.

                Comment

                Working...