Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

How do you unscrew the tops of the 74 CR125 rear shocks without using vice grips that bugger up the tops? Is there a special tool?

There is a special tool for this, but usually you can get by with a spanner wrench. Race Tech makes the one I use and it will usually work on most shocks. Basically it's 2 straight bars attached by a hinge on one end. The other ends have pins on the end to fit into the cap. It will adjust to just about any size needed. It also works for getting the rear wheel seal retainers on the old Elsinores out. It really helps if you lightly heat the shock body around the seal head before you try and remove it.