03 650 dakar - rear shock
 

Just taken my rear shock off. Found that the normally chrome barrel is now heavily pitted and rusty. The manual pre-load has been stiff for a while now.

Found how to service it from another site which i will try another night.

Has anyone got any experience of this, does this pitting mean that it is not worth stripping down.

Have wanted an excuse to get another for a while now, any experience of the Wilber, Ohlins and Hagon units. I have obviously heard about the Ohlins a lot more than the rest.

I don't race the bike but do tour a lot.

Mat. Brook

Mat,
After HOURS of homework I've ordered a WP, same price as the Ohlins but taylored to your spec, don't think the OE is rebuildable but pretty sure i'll be corrected on that.

The stock shock is not rebuildable as far as I know. I couldn´t find a stiffer spring for it so ended up with Wilbers and like it. My Mrs had hers go, but Chaiten´s volcanic dust may have something to do with that. The shaft was stuck in the seal. Very rare apparently.

Get yourself a crap flap on F650.com and you won´t have any pitting ever again. Should have fork gaiters as well. Pitting causes the seals to go.

Mat, just thought but probably no good to you, we have the OE shock for my wifes GS but not a Dakar, you are more than welcome to borrow if you are looking to sort your out ?

Its ok, i have taken the engine out of the bike so there is no instant rush to find one. Am going to get a Wilber set.

Cheers

Mat. Brook