Katana 600 Shock Question, Help Please.

[jaybee333]

I got the Progressives in ok, yay!

Now I have a question about a Katana 600 shock.  I might be able to get my hands on a 1999 Katana 600 shock.  

My GS is a 2001 model K1.  Will it fit without modification to the links on the bike?

Can one of you great wrenchers clue me in?
If  the installation does require modification of the rear suspension link on the 2001K1,  which link , how much and what method, please.

Thanks for the help!  This is a great forum!  

PS  I've searched but have not found the best info yet.  thanks.

[JMyrick]

I have a 2000 GS and I have a 96 Katana 600 shock with no mods needed to make it fit


Joe

[Catcams]

I picked up one from a 98 Katana this weekend it is a bolt on job.

My other questions is?

What are the ajustements for the
spring preload and rebound ? on this Shock  :dunno:

Does someone have an Idea or a chart that I can follow and adjust it before installing it to my bike

I weight 165 lbs.

[jaybee333]

I believe I read that for a person your weight a preload of 3 or 4 and a rebound of 1or2 should be about right.  Also mount the shock so that the rebound adj. is on the right side away from the chain to make it easier to adjust the rebound.  

[morbidelli17]

So in doing a little research on this shock swap, I noticed that the Kat 600 shock is about 30mm shorter than the stock GS500 shock. Is my research correct, and has anyone noticed problems with this? I'm assuming that the Kat shock is not ride height adjustable.

M

[jaybee333]

There is no problem with this shock installation.  The Katana shock may be 30mm shorter before installation but after installation the bike rides approx one inch higher in the rear.  Also read my previous posts in this thread for suggestions on installation.  Best of luck, it works fine.  The suspension is much improved and the bike "feels" better on its wheels.

[morbidelli17]

I noticed a similar phenomenon with the GSXR shock I put on my SV650; the shock was a smidge shorter, but the bike rode higher in the rear. I don't even pretend to understand. Thanks for the tips, and I'll probably be doing the swap on Friday (I'll have had the bike for all of six days ... )

Peace
M

[cagedbunny]

Sorry to drag out an old thread, but is the main advantage in switching out the rear shock for the valving+spring rate, or the added ride height?  I'm only 5'5 with kinda stubby legs, and don't really want the bike to be any taller.. does it completely negate the benefits of changing to the Katana shock by turning the coilover down?

[RVertigo]

The Katana shock WILL make the bike taller...  Even at the lowest setting, I think it would be taller than the stock sock at 3 or 4...

If you're on your toes now, the Kat shock might just make it too tall.