rear shock boots

[Thunderchild]

I have used a rear shock boot (lizard skins) since I put my Fox RC on my Oz.  I clean it every now and then and notice dust, not a lot, on the inside.  I think it is great for keeping the mud globs off.  Just last Thursday night we were hit by a thunderstorm/cloud burst and got splattered in a near by canyon(Matno, that was AF Canyon) The boot did the trick for that ride.

Anyway, I was wondering what everyone else's opinion is regarding boots for making the rear shocks last.  I do know that tight ones rubbing on stanchion tubes can affect the finish.  

Thunderchild

[willem]

I'm a Lizard Skinner myself...

I think the combination of the shock location (in the mud path) and being a structural member (856) makes it critical to protect it.
Now that I'm using an air spring, I believe it's even more important to protect the seals.

Don't know if there's a relationship, but with the boot on, I haven't had to air up my Manitou shock in 7 or 8 months!

Will

[jeffhop]

im also a lizard skinner although not so much in the summer and not so much now ive put the noleen on rather than the risse.

[shovelon]

For sure I am convinced that the gravel must be kept out. I have a custom boot made from fleece on my Swinger.

Terry

[Colin]

Hmmm, this thread reminded me that I was going to post on this same theme but then forgot all about it!

When I moved from ODS equipped bikes to Noleen equipped bikes I was very concerned because I had read about so many "early" failures on the Noleens.

So I implemented the fix that has seen the ODS's on my XP-X (856) last over 8 years!

and best of all, it's cheap!

The bottom line seems to be to stop grit and dust etc. getting onto the shock piston shaft and being dragged back into the shock body when it compresses and causing abrasion to the seals etc.

you will require an old inner tube and a ruler and a pair of scissors. You don't need a new ruler and scissors, if you re-use the ruler and scissors for other purposes it keeps the price down even more! <GRIN>
(unless you use your wife's best dressmaking scissors and tape measure and end up getting kicked in the nether regions!)

These instructions are very complicated, so pay attention! <grin>

Take shock off of bike. (front and/or back)
Measure pre-loaded (with sag) length of spring.
Cut a length of inner tube the same length or slightly shorter. (accurate length is not critical, too short and it won't do the job, too long and it'll concertina up too much).
Remove spring from shock.
Slip inner tube over body of shock and piston shaft.
Replace spring over inner tube covered shock body.
and Voila! you have a nice cheap cover for the critical part of the shock!

By clever use of 1.25" or 1.5" inner tubes you can select a size that stretches slightly over the shock body and so achieves a tight, waterproof fit.
I oil the inside of the tube to create a water repellant environment for the shock.

The benefit of this over a Lizard skin or similar is that this only covers the shaft and so is a smaller environment for dirt to be able to get into and also covering the spring can cause a wet environment in which a steel spring will/may rust

Sideline benefit is that everyone can still see my shiny Titanium shock springs!

This has worked on all of my shocks, ODS, NR1, 2, 4 and 5.

I will be selling these items on eBay for $50 each, do you think I'll get many purchases?............(only joking!)

I must take a picture to better illustrate this........

Col.

[Redliner]

Hello Colin:
The problem discuted in this thread, did already cross my mind, because the last ods rear unit of my 856 has a scratch on the shaft.So I was thinking to buy a protective dress for my rear shock.
Your solution seems to be very insteresting.
Hopping to see some pictures of your home build protective shock dress.I am a potencial buyer.
Best regards...

Zé Diogo

[Colin]

Only joking on the $50 a piece on eBay !!!

But then again, maybe I could get away with selling 3" lengths of inner tubing for $50.........<grin>, I've seen worse examples of "rip-off's" !!

Col.

[orange]

pictures would be good actually as I'd like to see how snug a fit you intend.cheers.

[Thunderchild]

Colin, figure out a way to sign the shock dress and then sell it to us.  We will fill more like true consumers being satisfied with a stylish item.  Then you can charge a buck(1$).  Don't forget the ultra light tubes for the lightweight version....

Thunderchild  

[orange]

can you do a pink latex inner tube version for my wife?!

[Colin]

You get me the inner tube and I'll cut it to fit!

(What size is your wife?)

<<GRIN>>