SV650 Shock Upgrade

[Jughead]

The SV650 Shock is not a Direct Bolt in for an 89 with the Stock Aluminium Bottom Link.That is without a Little Modification to the Reinforcement web.

[rob1bike]

Hmmm, I've got an sv650 shock on the way. We'll see if it fits my 2001. Looks like it will. What year is your shock? I ebay'd mine, don't recall what year it off. I'll post after it goes on, should be here soon.

[Jughead]

You won't have any Problem since you have the Steel Link.from the way it looks on Pablos Resource Page they are made Narrower than the Aluminum ones on the 89-90 Models.I'll post pictures in a Little While on the Mod.

[rob1bike]

You won't have any Problem since you have the Steel Link.from the way it looks on Pablos Resource Page they are made Narrower than the Aluminum ones on the 89-90 Models.I'll post pictures in a Little While on the Mod.

Cool! Odd how some parts are completely the same from year to year, then some aren't. Like change for the sake of change. Wonder how it will look/ride if I don't cut the tabs? Set the shock up kinda soft and use that extra travel?!

[Jughead]

OK here is what Has to be Done to fit an SV650 Shock to an 89-90 GS500.I really Really Really don't Advise Grinding on the Aluminum Arm since those Strengthening Webs are there for a Purpose.If you want to fit the Shock buy a Newer Steel Link.The first Picture of the Yellow Dots are whee the Bottom Shock Bracket Rubbed the Link while I was trying to get it to meet with the top mount on the Frame.The Second Picture is where I Marked the Aluminum with my Dremel and a Cutoff wheel.The third  well thats what it looks like After I used my Angle Grinder with an Aluminum grinding wheel.I'll probably go with the steel Link later on Anyway.This is a Test Mule of a bike Anyway and I was really wanting to see how High the rear wuld be with this Shock.Well it's as tall as an SV Now.I'll likely be Raising the Front Now to match and will keep you Posted on the Forks I use.A buddy of Mine bought a Bike Back in August without a Title that had Badly Bent Forks he looked around and found a Cheap set of Old School Forks with a heavier Spring.

[rob1bike]

How does it handle with the back raised?
I've cum up with a simple idea to make the kickstand work, haven't tried it out yet. Drill a hole through the bottom tab of the stand, the one that the bike rests on. But maybe a inch or 1 1/4 inch bolt in, double nut it. The kickstand extender. Have to be careful with the clearance with the chain when its up. I'll try it when the shock gets here.

[Jughead]

Well I haven't rode it. I'm Just Experimenting with Ground Clearance right Now.It is a Little Stifferthan the Original.

[Jughead]

I decided tonight that with the seat on the frame that it's just a tad bit too Tall.I'm 6'5" and I have todo one of those High Karate kick moves to be able to get up onto the seat.I can still Touch the floor with both feet with the shock Compressed all of the way but when setting with both Feet on the Pegs it feels like I'm going to do a nose Dive over the handlebars.At least the bottom Bracket is longer  and has Enough Room to drill a couple of sets of Holes higher up to drop the Rear back Down.With the rear jacked up the way it is I will have to go with Longer front forks.By the time I do this It will be up off of the Ground like a Motocrosser.

[average]

Sounds cool man but i definetly dont want to go higher in the back.   

[Jughead]

I want a Little taller but not to the point it feels like I'm going to do a Nose Dive over the Handlebars.I took the Shock back off last nigh and I'm going to drill the Holes Closer to the Shock body I think I'll go with around 25-30mm from the bottom of the Bracket.Stock is 20mm from the welded side of the Bracket.The top mount is a little Longer than the stock shock so it looks like if I go with 20mm it will only be an Inch Taller than normal.Another thing is that with the rear hiked up the Centerstand is Usless.I had to prop the stand up on 2x6's.

[rob1bike]

I'm still waiting for my shock... Errrr!

[Jughead]

OK I took the time to try and Drop the Rear of the bike By Drilling New Mounting Holes Higher up on the Bottom Bracket on the SV Shock.Well it doesn't work.Anything Above the Stock location and it won't line up with the hole in the Link.Since the Shock and Spring is a Bigger Diameter it hits the Back of the Swingarm and the top of the Link.It still may be Possible with the Later Steel Link.

[rob1bike]

So is it not a good idea to mount one? I'm 6'3" so I can stand it to come up some...no pun intended.
Fedex lost my sv shock?!? So I'll need to reorder. How the heck do you loose a 9lb spring?

[Jughead]

It may be different to you. I don't prefer it myself.According to Pablos Site it raises the Rear 2" which would be OK in my book but It seemed that it raised it close to 4-5".The Shock is 2-3" Longer than the Stock shock but Once installed 2" at the Center of the Supension Means Even Taller at the Axel Center If I'm Thinking Correctly.

[rob1bike]

yeah don't think im gunna mess with it at this time. i've just put on a wileyco/flange and im going to rejet it a week or two so i'm busy with that untill i get bored

[Jughead]

In my Opinion I would say you would be Happier with a GSXR Shock.I think I'll go with one Later on after I get my Frame Modified for the Donor Motor.