Bad shock or bad setup?

[PachmanP]

How do you tell if you have a bad rear shock?

I put on a katana 600 shock yesterday and now I'm wondering if it's any good.

It's off an '06, and it was clean and didn't appear to be leaking when I got it.  I put it on yesterday.  I sit on it, and it slowly settles down from the unloaded height, and when I get up it wheezes.  I rode on it after, and I didn't notice anything standing out as "omg bad shock".

Is my preload or set up just completely whack or is there something wrong?

Thanks. 

[PachmanP]

Bumpity bump

Did people who put on a "new" kat 600 shock ever notice that when they sat down the rear end slowly (couple of seconds) settle?  Should this guy feel like and behave like stock just a little firmer?  Am I taking crazy pills?

[kml.krk]

I put on R6 shock last weekend (I know it's not katana, but maybe this will give you some comparison) and actually it felt stiff, but firm and assuring. Much better than stock GS500 shock which felt jumpy (like it was lacking rebound damping)

I do not know how it rides, because I did NOT ride yet. After I put the rear shock on I realized that my front is bad, even though I have progressive springs.
I immediatelly ordered new, heavier fork oil and it's coming tomorrow, so I will put it on and take it for a test ride.

Hope you will solve your shock mystery soon

[black and silver twin]

How do you tell if you have a bad rear shock?

I put on a katana 600 shock yesterday and now I'm wondering if it's any good.

It's off an '06, and it was clean and didn't appear to be leaking when I got it.  I put it on yesterday.  I sit on it, and it slowly settles down from the unloaded height, and when I get up it wheezes.  I rode on it after, and I didn't notice anything standing out as "omg bad shock".

Is my preload or set up just completely whack or is there something wrong?

Thanks. 

If a shock sits upside down or on its side for a while (perhaps in shipping or storage) the oil can get airated. So the first few cycles will be soft and make a squishing sound. since you have ridden it now try it again, it should not have a fluid squish sound hardly at all. make sure not to confuse the sound with a slightly creaky spring.

[PachmanP]

If a shock sits upside down or on its side for a while (perhaps in shipping or storage) the oil can get airated. So the first few cycles will be soft and make a squishing sound. since you have ridden it now try it again, it should not have a fluid squish sound hardly at all. make sure not to confuse the sound with a slightly creaky spring.

Well finally went out and checked it again.  It still has the wheeze when I unload it, so I'm thinking it's not just aerated oil. I'm pretty sure it's not a creaky spring as well.

Haven't had a chance to check/set pre-load though.