Cleaning the body of the rear shock

[loply]

Hi folks,
I sandblasted the tops and bottoms of my shock, and all of the linkages, but as you can see the body itself is still grubby as hell:

https://www.computer-force.co.uk/IMG_2089.jpg

What is this made of, and why is it corroded as so?

I'm tempted to mask off the spring and sandblast the relevant section, but I don't know what color it will come out, and respraying it will be difficult (I guess the spring can't be removed?).

Any tips on how to get that looking slightly newer? The rest of the shock and linkages look like they've just come out of the factory!
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Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[Pete.]

Can you not just remove the spring?
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[extreme3d]

Try clear vinegar mixed in with some lemon juice and squirt on the corroded areas, work in with a small stiff brush and leave for a few minutes. Rinse and dry. Will remove the 'furring' quite well, just don't get any in your eyes

I take it this desire for spring cleanleness started when you were admiring my spring on Hardknott pass

[loply]

How do you remove the spring? I couldn't see any way, the adjuster rings are too small to come off the top.
____________________
Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!

[hmmmnz]

can the bottom section no be removed?? it looks like it can,
its worth having ago, mabee it will mabee it wont
good luck
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the humans are dead
I kick arse for the lord
Wiring Diagrams BIDNIP it bitches

[Pete.]

Definately it's removable, just a matter of figuring out how and then doing it withour hurting yourself. My dad was alomst killed when a spring compressor broke and a Jag spring his him in the face.
____________________
a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Ichy]

To remove the spring you need a pair of spring compressors. Wind the preload to minimum. compress the spring and the top 'washer' with the cut out will drop down and slide out sideways.

Make sure the compressors fit really well and try putting a bit of leather, or similar on the compressor tooth to stop it damaging the spring.
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https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[xlfive]

I made my own spring compressor from plastic zip ties, fit about 6 ties around the spring and tighten them up evenly eventuly you will have compressed it enough to remove the bottom plate and then remove the spring,when you refit the spring cut the ties opposite to each othe so the spring releases evenly

[loply]

Ahhh, I see. I'll probably improvise using lots of cable ties, as suggested.

Unfortunately I've reinstalled the shock on the bike, but it takes 5 minutes to remove it.
____________________
Yamaha SZR660 Caution to the wind, the throttle pinned!