Rear shock FAIL!??? GSXR fail.

[xunedeinx]

Ok, so got a rear shock from a GSXR 600, for a killer price (20.60) from a local motorcycle shop. was a take off.

So, try to get in on my bike. Remove old. Try to get on new, wont fit, too long, is rubbin all over the place. Try removing dogbones so i can try getting the top on first, then the bottom, also wont fit...

No matter what i tried, it seems like 1.5 inches too long....

What do I do, I thought it was a bolt on? The top and bottom mounts DO bolt on, just the shock itself is too long to be able to compress it enough to bolt on..

Help? Please?

-justin

[ragecage23]

Most people use an R6 rear shock I believe

[the mole]

Maybe different length dog bones? There are ones that lower the bike, they should help with a too-long shock.....

[crzydood17]

GSXR wont fit AFAIK its the GSXF 600 the katana

[xunedeinx]

I hope i didnt get confused between gsxf600 and gsxr600.... Anyway to make this shock fit? Maybe cut the spring?

[werase643]

sell GSXR shock   buy GSX shock

research a bit before spending $$  to save you a headache

[ben2go]

Katana 600 or 750.I have a Kat 750 shock.

[xunedeinx]

ya know, i dont mind buying the correct shock... But this one is so adjustable. Got it for tension and preload and rebound...

Cant I just cut a few coils off, and screw the preload down so there is never any slack???

It is a really nice shock, I dont wanna be completely SOL.

-justin

[Jared]

ya know, i dont mind buying the correct shock... But this one is so adjustable. Got it for tension and preload and rebound...

Cant I just cut a few coils off, and screw the preload down so there is never any slack???

It is a really nice shock, I dont wanna be completely SOL.

-justin

Less coils for same travel distance = Stiffer spring rate. If you cut the coils-- ends are formed to stay inline etc.... The spring isn't going to want to stay in the right place.

Do what Wera said-- sell it for what you can get for it and get a Katana shock (or the R6 shock if you can make it work..).

[tb0lt]

The GSXR shock will work as long as the upper and lower mounting points fit the GS. I have a 2001+ GSXR 1000 shock on my 02 gs500. You will need lowering links to bring the ride height back to normal and also to clear the swing arm.

[burning1]

Only certain older models of GSX-R shocks fit. The newer ones will not fit properly without modifying the upper shock mount. Lowering links are not a solution - the linkage is going to sit at the wrong angle, totally throwing off your spring/damping rates, and the progression curve of your suspension.

Use a Kat shock, or an R6 shock. Don't bother with a GSX-R shock unless you get the right one, and know what you are doing.

[xunedeinx]

All right, thanks. ScrAtch this shock, on the lookout for a kat 600 shock.

Good replies!

-Justin

[cbrfxr67]

This is a great forum!  Any noob can just look at these replies and know he's in a good place.  Good info and good people here.

[burning1]

All right, thanks. ScrAtch this shock, on the lookout for a kat 600 shock.

Good replies!

-Justin

I generally recommend the R6 shock over the Kat shock these days. The Kat shock is very stiff. R6 shock is sprung nicely for guys in the 160-200lb range. To install it, you'll need the following R6 parts: shock, lower mounting bolt, lower mounting nut, lower spacer.  If you have a CA model bike with a charcoal canister, you may need to relocate the canister.

[ben2go]

All right, thanks. ScrAtch this shock, on the lookout for a kat 600 shock.

Good replies!

-Justin

I generally recommend the R6 shock over the Kat shock these days. The Kat shock is very stiff. R6 shock is sprung nicely for guys in the 160-200lb range. To install it, you'll need the following R6 parts: shock, lower mounting bolt, lower mounting nut, lower spacer.  If you have a CA model bike with a charcoal canister, you may need to relocate the canister.

What years R6 does the rear shock come from?I may use one my trike project.

[burning1]

06-09 are known to be good. I've run the 06-07 model on my race bike. Haven't personally used the 08-09 model year shock... The compression damping and piggyback reservoir is different, and it looks like it improves clearance. I strongly suspect it'll perform as well as the earlier model shock.

Be sure not to confuse the R6 and the R6S shock. The R6 has an eyebolt mount on top, and clevis mount on the bottom. The R6S shock is eyebolt on both ends and won't work with the GS.

[ben2go]

06-09 are known to be good. I've run the 06-07 model on my race bike. Haven't personally used the 08-09 model year shock... The compression damping and piggyback reservoir is different, and it looks like it improves clearance. I strongly suspect it'll perform as well as the earlier model shock.

Be sure not to confuse the R6 and the R6S shock. The R6 has an eyebolt mount on top, and clevis mount on the bottom. The R6S shock is eyebolt on both ends and won't work with the GS.

Cool.Thanks.

[mass-hole]

Does the lower spacer on the R6 fit the needle bearings on the GS linkage? If so is this the solution to the differing sizes in the GS and R6 Lower SHock mount bolts?

[burning1]

Yep, exactly. The R6 spacer slips into the GS linkage, and everything bolts right up.

[mass-hole]

Awesome thanks for the heads up