I need some help/advice with this one guys. I picked up this RVF400R shock a few months back but the seller had no info on it. Once I got the hold of it I saw it was missing the chrome head shield ( I'm not bothered about that ) and it has had a nut welded to the top near the top mount which has an Allen head bolt in.
This has me thinking has it had a rebuild in the past and this is where the oil/gas has gone in ?

Is there a way I can check to see is it ok to use without stripping the rear off the bike to fit ?

If it needs a service, who do I go to and what's a typical price ?

Where's the stanchion? The travel looks tiny.

I gave it a clean before the picture and the bump stop came out of the cup

Rhory, off topic...do I spot seiko?

Btw. nice article in PS May issue.