Ok guys I can't believe its taken me this long to finally get around to doing this job! After suspending the rear of the bike and removing the bolt from the bottom of the shock mount, I can see a rubber bush surrounding the collar in the shock. The bush looks worn and would appear to be the cause of the problem. My local dealer says the parts are not available so I need a new shock. Its a 25 year old bike with the original shock fitted. I will start rooting around for ways to rebuild the existing shock and also maybe getting a new one. Any suggestions welcome. Oh yes, I am not in a hurry, got a new hydraulic bike lift for my birthday. The 900SS will probably take up permanent residence on it this year!
Surely a suspension specialist could sort this for you? Cheaper than a new shock. I have a spare if you want on though for a reasonable price, it was ok on my bike? I have a Maxton Shock on mine.
Derek, my shock looks as though it has a rubber bush surrounding a metal collar rather than a steel on steel bearing (shock is still on bike at the mo). Are these bearings a tried and tested upgrade or just wrong for my shock? Desmo, might be interested in your old shock if the Simply Bearings are not suitable, do you want to pm me to discuss purchase? Andrew
If you pull out the top hat bushes, there is one pressed in from each side, you will find a rubber o-ring like seal on each side to keep the weather out. The bearing is behind the rubber seals. If your's is a Showa shock then that is the correct bearing.
I did a post a while ago but it comes u[p error when I search. http://ducatiforum.co.uk/f41/900ss-showa-gd022-rear-shock-stuff-2605/?highlight=showa+shock I will search some pictures out and re post, but the SB12A bearing ring a bell. There are some o rings inside from memory, I will see what I can find. Cheers Gaz Think I found it just search this. 900ss (Showa GD022) rear shock stuff and this Showa rear shock bush/mounts and this Swingarm Cheers Gaz
A few pics I think one of the other post says which o ring I went for. Just checked it was the 17.5 i,d, As mentioned I was olso going to get a skt hd cap screw with more shank, think its a toss up between 60 & 65 long and then cut to length. Also I think ALs idea of shimming with thin washers would be bettter than bending lugs as previously mentioned. Cheers Gaz
https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/900ss-showa-gd022-rear-shock-stuff.2605/ https://www.ducatiforum.co.uk/threads/play-in-rear-shock-mounting.3649/
WOW thanks very much Gaz, this has turned into a very useful thread for peeps to check out. I am hoping to do some of the work this weekend but its freezing cold and I don't have a heater for my garage. I will update when I get a chance, thanks again. Another thing chaps, are the rubber seals o rings or flat section, and are they both the same size? Actually are the top hat bushes the same both sides, possibly not from your dwg? Looking at your lovely cut away dwgs makes me think we had the same Technical Drawing teacher at school, I only found out years later he was a Spitfire pilot during WWII.
Ok guys job all finished, huge thanks to replies on forum especially links to previous threads. BUT just started putting bike back together then fuel tank started leaking from rear left corner, looks like its rotted through B********!! Looks like the paint has bubbled on the other side too B********. Oh well time to search the forum for leaky tank threads!!! Money I saved on the shock will go on tank repairs, sigh....... Andrew
Glad all back together. It's a while ago since I stripped it and can't remember if they are square or round, but I put the 17.5 I.D. O-rings back in. I also plan to try and put a 19.5 / 20 I.D. O-ring on the outside to try to give a bit more weather / water protection. Don't think this was standard, just thought it would help and seen it on other threads. Wish I had a Tech drawing teacher who flew Spitfires, don't think much drawing would get done though. Sorry about the tank Cheers Gaz
