Rear Suspension
The top spring cover is made from polished aluminum. When removing the suspension from the frame it's very easy to damage this soft aluminum cover. After the tube has been removed the spring must be compressed slightly so that the assembly can be drawn away. It's while compressing the spring that the damage can occur.
To help solve this problem you can make a simple spring compressor. It requires some threaded stock a small washer at the top, which is exactly the same diameter of the top spring holder, and a large washer at the bottom that will support the bottom grease cup.
This is the spring compressor in position showing the top washer. I have left the aluminum cover off so that you can best view the compressor
This is the bottom end. The bottom washer is large to support the bottom grease cap. It's then a simple matter of compressing the spring with a few turns off the nuts and the whole assembly can be eased into position.
The nuts are then unscrewed, the threaded bar withdrawn and the large washer at the bottom can be slipped out.
The suspension tube is then replaced from the top end.
