Post Katana Shock Install ?

[Kzin]

Just swapped in a Kat 600 shock and I have a question.  It feels like the shock is reaching the end of its travel very easily, however I know that it's not compressing the full stroke of the shock.  What could be wrong?  Brake torque bar overtightened?  The chain was a bit too tight and I loosened it which seemed to help somewhat, what else could it be?  The shock feels much better than stock, it just seems like I've got no travel before it hits a hard stop.

[scratch]

Where's your preload setting? What's your sag? And lastly, what setting is the dampening set at?

Depending on what your sag is, if your sag is too much then cranking up your preload will help.

[Kzin]

Preload is set to 4 max is 7.  Rebound is on 2.  It honestly feels more like something is stopping the shock in the middle of its travel.  When it bottoms against the bumper it would feel different.  This almost feels as if it's hitting metal or something.  I can do it with the bike sitting still if that tells you anything.   I can watch the shock shaft and it's not bottoming.  Everything is fitted back correctly...anyone have the torque specs for the shock mount and the linkage?  I used the specs for my SV figuring that they would be pretty close since I don't have a manual yet for the GS.

[70 Cam Guy]

From my Clymer Manual

Shock absorber bolts and nuts (14, 15)
Upper and Lower --- 40-60 N-m --- 29-44 ft-lb
Shock Rod bolts and nuts (10, 11, 12, 8 )
70-100 N-m --- 51-73 ft-lb
Shock Lever bolts and nuts (6, 5, 7, 2)
70-100 N-m --- 51-73 ft-lb

hope this helps, I really like my Kat shock.  I have my preload at 4 and my rebound on 1.  The bike is much more settled since I installed it last year.  Greatly improved ride, I hope you get the issue figured out

[Kzin]

Looks like everything is in it's place, and if anything I need to torque down a bit more.  The SV's specs are a bit lighter than the GS.  I'm gonna try loosening up the brake torque bar a bit and see if that helps, or take it loose all together to see if its what's causing the issue.

[mjm]

Looks like everything is in it's place, and if anything I need to torque down a bit more.  The SV's specs are a bit lighter than the GS.  I'm gonna try loosening up the brake torque bar a bit and see if that helps, or take it loose all together to see if its what's causing the issue.

Isn't the bolt that holds the torque link shouldered?  That means it can only tighten soo far before there are no more threads - if it is properly designed it cannot bind from over-tightening unless someone put in a different bolt.

On my 2001 it is a nylock nut - so just past snug is plenty tight.