Hi, is it possible to remove the spring from the rear shock assembly without having to strip the shock. Theres nothing about it in the haynes manual. I am going to to get the spring powder coated, but i wont bother if its going to be a ball ache. Thanks

you need a spring compressor for starters - It will come off...but ballache. Get the shock serviced instead....might as well make it work better than look better

I didnt have any issues with the shock before i stripped my bike, and im on a bit of a budget. The frame and swing arm are at the powder coaters now and it would be nice to get the spring and shock tidied up before the rebuild.

Ok managed to suss it out myself and now i feel a bit stupid. Anyway i'll post what i did ancase anyone is interested or anyone is having a blonde moment like me lol.
First of all I purchased some cheap Draper spring compressors from Autosave. (£25)

But they didnt fit so I buffed them down fo that they fitted between the spring and shock.

When i was pleased that they fitted and the spring would move freely when compressed, i measured the length of the spring. Do this before backing the preload ring off so that when you reassemble you can set your preload back to the same place. Once you've done this grip the bottom of the shock in a vice with a towel. Compress the spring then back the preload and lock ring ring to the top of the threads.

Then flip the whole lot over and you'll see a cup and collar ring that the spring sits on. You have to separate the ring from the cup so spray a bit of WD40 on. Then give the collar ring a chap down to expose a circlip round the cup (mine was siezed bad and was a bit of a pain).

Then whip the circlip off and the collar ring will come off allowing the the spring to be removed from the shock so that you can clean it all up or whatever.