Knee deep in tinkering

[Rickyz80]

Hey everyone,

I've been messing around with the GS this past week, making up for lost time not being able to work on it.  Doing stuff such as painting the wheels, changing brake pads, cleaning carbs, painting exhaust, replacing fork seals...etc.

Anyways,  I bought a katana 600 shock in the winter, and anticipated intalling it.  W/o too much riding on this bike, I'm not sure if it makes sense installing the shock now, w/o new front springs. (the front is pretty loose suspension wise, hopefully fork seals will fix that)


My question is, for myself weighing ~155 lbs with gear, is it worth putting in the shock, maybe complimented with some 15W fork oil?  will it be unbalanced suspension wise.  For my weight, should I even bother putting the shock in, or just adjust my stock one's rebound? 

I have the bike on blocks with the wheels taken off it makes a difference convenience wise.

Thanks for all the help in advance!!!

[The Buddha]

Kat shock may be just about too much for you. Carry a brick in your passenger seat ... 
Cool.
Buddha.

[ecpreston]

I would keep the stock shock for now. I was able to get the proper amount of sag in the rear with the stock one, and I've got another 50 lbs on you with gear. The front was a different story, that's definitely the softer end by a long shot, I think I had ~60 mm of sag. Fork oil won't change that. If you put that kat shock on, it'll make the front feel even softer as it'll shift more weight to the front. Click that stock rear up to maybe 4 or 5 and you'll be better off for now. By the way, that's not a rebound adjustment on the stocker, it's preload.

Some maybe useful info I found on that kat shock:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=46393.msg529470#msg529470

[simoniz]

I'd adjust the stock one for now, and see if that makes you happy. I am about 185 and adjusted mine up one from stock, and it is plenty stiff enough for my riding style.

[joker79507]

Without front springs i would keep  the original and just set it to more preload.  After some experience, in my opinion, you should get new, stiffer springs or progressives,  whichever fits your style better, then put the kat shock on.  If you plan to be riding alot with a passenger then get stiffer springs and put the kat shock on. It will keep  her from completely sliding forward when you stop and also hold the end up higher so the rear doesnt sag with her weight. 

[waiho]

I'm about 5-10 pounds lighter!!

the rear katana shock does make a difference, but not as much as when I changed the front with progrssive and 15w oil ( I like it stiff )

like everyone says, do the front, then go for the back!!

[Rickyz80]

Great advice! thanks everyone.

Yea im going to just kick up the preload a bit and see if that does it for me.  Haha, I like the brick idea + kat shock Buddha!!
I might be 2up soon so that helps also.

15W in the front w/ new oil seals sounds pretty solid too---and maybe a longer spacer or something also?.