74 kx250 shock identification

The grooves in the shock body are similar to a set of early Works performance shocks I had. Had to remove the spring, and then move a large snap ring from groove to grove to change the preload setting, then re-assemble. I believe I can see the snap ring seated in the top collar in the pic. Compress the spring, move the collar, and pop the snap ring out of it's groove.

Pain in the ass for what should be a simple adjustment.

Edit; looking at the picture again, it appears that there is a ramp style preload adjuster under the collar at the top of the shock. Someone has already tried to increase preload by using that ramp collar as a spacer, IMO.

There is probably no more grooves for adjustment left on the shock body for any more preload. A stiffer set of springs are going to help more than increasing preload. Preload setting only has an effect on the first inch or so of travel. Spring rate stays the same no matter how much preload is cranked in.

Later style Works went to a threaded shock body. Made life much easier in regards to preload settings.

Maybe take that ramp style adjuster out from the stack. Then start about midway with the snap ring position.

Bet that spring is under quite a bit of tension with the ramp spacer and preload snap ring that far down. Be careful.

Just to maybe close the loop on this, those look to be Ohlin's shocks