Hot Shocks?
 

Hello everyone...

On my Aprilia Pegaso, I zip-tied an old MX tube over the spring on my rear shock, to keep out water and dirt. It had been replaced because teh central rod was corroded beyond repair.

On my XR650L, the shock is about to be removed for a service on the linkage, and for a custom spring to be fitted. I am considering fitting an inner tube "sleeve" on this shock too, but I'm unsure.

Hoe hot does a shock get in the desert? Might I "pop" it if I prevent it from shedding heat (the tube will effectively cut airflow over the shock to zero)... Other problems might be overheated oil, or the movement of the shock causing excess pressure on the oil seals (thrhough the bellows effect).

Has anyone damaged a shock in the desert, with a rock or sand abrasion? Can't decide! But also can't afford a new shock when I get home or (worse) half way through the trip....

I don't know if you'll pop a seal but you will definitely overheat the shock. This result in a loss of damping.

You're better off attaching (cable ties?) a flap of thick plastic or rubber sheet behind the shock to protect it from crap thrown off the rear wheel.

It just so happens that I have a large roll (15" wide at least) of 3-4mm thick clear rubber sheet at home. If you need some, pass on dimensions & an address & I'll post it to you FOC & ASAP. It's very strong but still quite flexible.

Regards

Steve

On my old XLM ther was an rubber sleeve/cover inside the spring, just covering the central rod. A friends XRV use the samme system. Since my XRV do not have this sleeve, i am planning to fit this sleev from an old shock i have in my shed. Personally i think this system is superior to covering up the whole shock, as it might overheat, as you fear. Maybe you can get this rubber cover from an old shock aswell? I must bee an definitive advantage to cover the central rod. Fitting fork "belows" do save some fork seals, and the samme goes for shocks, i think.

Frode