I would be grateful for any recommendations for a C spanner to adjust the pre- load on a Showa shock on my 749s. Is it better to have one with a hinge in it, I appreciate I can use a brass or Ally drift and hammer but still would like to do the job with the correct tool.
Crystaljohn, Sorry I don't have a specific recommendation but I would say stay clear of the ones lazer profiled from plate. They obviously don't have the grain structure of the forged ones and as much as you say you will be carefull eventually your going to want give it a tap with a hammer - that's when the end snaps off. I bought what I thought was a better quality second hand one from ebay. Suppose it'e the same as most things buy the best you can afford. Appologies if was obvious. Cheers Gaz
When I can get at mine on the SS (virtually impossible without taking the tank off)......I use an ordinary bicycle C spanner (I think it is zinc plated steel) which I bent to alter the radius, and a Moto Guzzi one in similar material that did normal twin rear shocks, which I also bent to get the radius about right........They are less than 3mm thick and do it OK...... ...........I just find it a d*mn sight quicker to knock the rings round with a suitable drift.........the Showa rings, I think are steel, but the Sachs Boge ones are ally and you should see the mess a previous owner has made with a screwdriver as a drift. Fortunately the Sachs Boge one is no longer on the bike and I was able to clean the rings up a bit. AL
My Shocks steel rings and threads are in pretty good condition and I have prevented corrosion on the threads with the occasional squirt of Gt 45? Now I have had a look I think that access is probably a bit limited to turn a C spanner, but won't really know until I have a try. I do have a piece of Ally round bar that I suppose will suffice to do the job, and as you say Al, it's probably the way I will go unless I hear of a good tool I can buy. I am just reluctant to damage what looks pristine rings, and thought now I am experimenting with suspension tuning it would pay dividends to have the correct tool.
I reckon ally might be a bit soft.........but a solid brass one about 15mm in diameter, tapering down to say, 10mm with a blunt chisel point would be OK........and if you can get a slight bend in it near the point, its handy for starting in one notch and then rotating the drift 180 degrees so you can keep it in the same notch as it goes round more. AL
ohlins make a nice one that have barbs at each end so you can push and pull on the lock rings cant find the ohlins part number but these ppl make a copy Ducati Ohlins showa shock spanner tool
you might want a pair, or you can use one of these and a more convential c spanner to lock the 2 rings against each other
ohlins part is OH00710-02 they are only about a tenner i think, give an ohlins dealer like harris or mh suspension a call save on the postage from the states
Postage wasn't much, about $2.87! tbh I hadn't thought about vat+ duty. Just paid upfront via Paypal. Hopefully they won't chase me up !
If it's under £15 total value (inc. postage) then there will be no VAT, otherwise expect to pay VAT + a 'handling' fee of around a tenner...
