Adjusting the rear katana shock

[BobJizze]

I put a katana shock on my gs500 quite a while ago but I never bothered adjusting it because I didnt know how. At the moment its VERY bouncey on bumps and feels like the rear tire sways when going fast. Could someone guide me through adjusting it or give me a link to something that could help me out. I just looked through some of the threads, I'm kinda confused on what the knobs on the top and bottom of the shock do. Also what should I set them to for optimum performance? Also how do you know what setting its at? Thanks a lot!

[raylarrabee]

This might be helpful.

[JamesG]

the knob (more like collar) at the top controls the preload on the spring. The one at the bottom controls rebound damping, or how fast the shock allows the rear suspension to come back up after getting compressed.

You can see what settings you have now by looking at the slots in the preload collar. Each one has a number stamped under it. The one that is on the outside edge side and that has a bump behind it is the one its currently "on".  The rebound knob you will have to turn (clockwise I think)and count the clicks all the way to its stop.  Once you have that you will know where you are.

From your symptoms I would guess that you don't have nearly enough preload and too light rebound damping, which is causing the rear end to squat and bounce around.

[Zarathustra]

it sounds to me like a rebound problem.  trying tightening that up.  as for optimum settings, well, that's all rider dependant.  just mess around with it, take a ride, come home, mess around with it, take a ride, until you're happy with the results.  plus, messing with the shock that much will get you used to how to position the spanner most efficiently, making changes at later dates that much easier.