rear shock options?

[big torque]

Hello, all.  I just picked up an 89 gs500e last weekend.  I'll post pictures when I get my digital camera back next weekend.  I plan to fix it up and sell it cheap to my brother who is getting his moto license soon.  I will probably have a lot of questions.    

Here's the first:
What do people do about the suspension?  He is about 185lbs, and I'm 200.  The stock suspension isn't going to cut it.  I can replace the fork springs and oil.  That shouldn't be too hard... but how about the rear?  

Can I swap out the rear shock with one from a different bike (one with a stiffer spring and more damping)?  Anyone tried an sv650 shock?  I actually have one lying around that I could try...

Oh, and does anyone here live in the Boston, MA area?

That's it for now, thanks!

[tanman2003]

http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id12.html

check this out

[JMyrick]

Most do a Katana Shock swap to help the rear end

Joe

[big torque]

Wow.  That link is going to be a huge help, thanks!

So I'll look for a Katana 600 shock.  I would actually like to raise the bike up a little.  If I raised the rear end a bit (either by using shorter dogbones with a Kat600 shock, or going with my sv650 shock), am I going to screw up the handling?  

I assume there's not much you can do to raise the front?  the top of the forks are flush with the upper triple.

[Venom]

Actually most will tell you if you replace the shock your handling will greatly improve.

[big torque]

I stumbled upon this thread: http://www.gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2938

...which leads me to believe that a gixxer600 shock will work with my 89 GS.  Looks like i won't even have to grind anything.  

[davipu]

yep, and a gixxer 750 will take about 3 hours to install.

[Lukewarm Wilson]

you could look at these

http://gstwins.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18891

[pantablo]

The kat 600 shock is the easiest to install, as it is a direct swap, and appears the same. great benefit to fit a '00+ shock on a '89 bike (only because of the newer shock on the older bike, nothing specific to the model years).

this will raise the rear a bit, quickening steering. the gsxr shock (which I had on my 2001 gs) is a step above in terms of adjustability but they were only available in earlier model years and can be subject to many miles. you wont know the condition of the shock. if you get a recent kat shock at least you know it likely only has few miles on it. also, the gsxr shock takes more to install because of the remote reservoir. looks trick but that doesnt seem to be your concern.

my site also has a really easy way to swap the fork springs-took me minutes to install.

[big torque]

I think I'm going to try the sv650 shock first, because it's free.  The one of there now is completely shot and needs to go.  If I'm not happy with that, I'll try one of the other suggestions (probably the Kat600)

Pantablo - you're site is great!  I already read about the fork springs, and I will probably be doing that soon too.  Consider yourself bookmarked.  

[Dave Fowler]

[Catcams]

Just did a Katana Shock swap last night Sunday at 8:30 pm.
One of the easiest swaps that can be done.
I fell the back wheel stick to the pavement mutch better on bumpy roads than the previous stock shock.

[fretbuzz]

just did the shock swap ,katana 600 off of a 1999 and it feels better around the corners,sits a little higher but it`s not bad .
Very glad i did this mod!

[knowlsey]

used the rgv250 shock with canister, much softer than the stock, sv650 is a gooden and it raises the bike by about an inch and a quarter, it leans further on the side stand and the rear touches ground on the centre stand

[Jake D]

I've got an SV650 shock (2004, I think!).  But then again, I'm sort of longish in the leg.

[stingray]

what's the length eye to eye on the stock GS shock?  is there room for the piggyback resavoir of a gix shock?

[dgyver]

what's the length eye to eye on the stock GS shock?  is there room for the piggyback resavoir of a gix shock?

They can fit with different length dogbones. Davipu has mounted one and posted pics a while back. Also, you need to look at the diameter of the spring. I do not remember what year they increased them. The larger diameter ones will hit the swingarm with the stock linkage. Plus the reservoir is centered on some and off-centered on others. The off-centered ones may have a clearance issue with the frame mounted fuel valve.

Any shock can be made to fit but it depends on how much work you want to do. I have a '04 GSXR600 shock mounted on the track bike I am building. Relocated the upper mount higher and used a GSXR linkage (it is shorter) to clear the swingarm. Plus when I made the new upper mount, I was able in incorporate a ride height adjustment clevis. The ride height is adjusted by adding or removing washers. I have pics if you want.