gs500f

Slack · May 10, 2015, 06:18:28 AM

Agree with others.
Katana shock is way too stiff. At your weight the R6 shock is almost to stiff.
You barely have to shave the swing arm with an R6 shock. Buy a dremmel copy from harbor freight for $25. You only have to shave the depth of a piece of paper or two, over 2 or 3 square inches. It is soooo close to fitting without shaving, but not quite.
When I put on my R6 shock we knew the R6R 06'-08' fit. I hadn't herd about later models fitting, but I haven't been in the R6 shock thread for a few years to read if there have been any updates. Check it out before buying an 09'+ shock.
Also, if you get the R6 and decide it's a shade too stiff racetech makes a softer spring for it.
The R6 shock is SUCH a better shock then the katana

Iarn · May 10, 2015, 07:52:42 AM

Word of caution: the older r6 shock models may have required a hairs breadth of material removal from the swingarm, but the model I just bought off eBay (09-14) required significantly more than that.

I'll try to take some pics some time and make a thread about it.

Would the SV shock be applicable here? Not sure what the spring rate for that model is.

Janx101 · May 10, 2015, 09:06:55 PM

Just thinking. .. yes it hurt! .. at 150 lbs was it? .. what preload setting is the stock shock on now?

jaynavajo15 · May 12, 2015, 07:05:11 PM

I dont know what setting its on I did notice a zigzag like patern on the shock are those the different preload setting options? How do you adjust? Also purchased this R6 shock today

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Janx101 · May 12, 2015, 09:44:20 PM

Nice looking shock!

When you take your stock one out... clean it up and have a look at the setting positions for future reference eh!

There is a special Suzuki tool that's included in the oem toolkit on the bike, but you can do it with a large screwdriver and some extra swearing!

Joolstacho · May 13, 2015, 04:09:03 AM

You need to turn that castellated collar (above the top of the spring) in a clockwise direction (in the orientation of your photo), to get softest preload, think the longer the spring, the softer the preload. You can get a special tool or make something up.

jaynavajo15 · May 13, 2015, 07:58:33 AM

Quote from: Janx101 on May 12, 2015, 09:44:20 PM
Nice looking shock!

When you take your stock one out... clean it up and have a look at the setting positions for future reference eh!

Will do. Thanks for the help Just realized what the tool kit was for that came with my bike the special rear shock tools where included. Going to tinker with it in a bit.

jaynavajo15 · May 13, 2015, 08:10:00 AM

I believe the shock is for an 06-07 gs wiki shows the same one but says your going to need some extra parts??? And it shows it like this

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Slack · May 13, 2015, 10:14:18 AM

you need a sleeve. The stock lower bolt is 12mm, iirc, and the r6 uses a 14 mm. So you get a sleeve that's 14mm od / 12mm id and use the stock bolt. at least, that's what I did. I think I still have some left over sleeve material, I'll check and see tonight, if your interested in it.

Iarn · May 13, 2015, 10:15:38 AM

It's no big deal. You don't need the clevis or the dog bone to fit the R6. All you need is the nuts and bolts that come with them. So if you can get your hands on those seperately, you're set.

Or do what Slack did. That sounds good.

J_Walker · May 13, 2015, 10:21:47 AM

don't use the hardware store bolts for the rear shock. they are grade 8 bolts, WAYYY to stiff and brittle for use in the rear shock area. if you don't got the bolts. you can do a search online for Grade 3 bolts. [I believe that's what stock uses]

jaynavajo15 · June 05, 2015, 09:58:14 AM

Finally had my r6 shock installed and the guy did it without grinding down the swing Arm he definitely modified the bottom bolt hole some how though. The way he described things. Has me thinking he routed out the bottom bolt hole in order to avoid clearance issue with swing arm. Not even sure if he sleeved it. What do you guys think? Didn't do it myself because I lack the space and I can't do anything unless I'm organized. I definitely feel the difference though. How would you guys describe the feel or difference?

Antwan95 · June 08, 2015, 03:37:08 PM

It's definitely stiffer and more responsive. Plus no more diving and bottoming out when braking hard.

Slack · June 08, 2015, 03:39:58 PM

Quote from: Antwan95 on June 08, 2015, 03:37:08 PM
It's definitely stiffer and more responsive. Plus no more diving and bottoming out when braking hard.

Your rear shock bottoms out during hard braking

I think your doing something wrong.

myersg11 · June 08, 2015, 05:40:08 PM

Well, jaynavajo15 did say something about 100 mph+ and evading, so maybe this is just a use case not seen during "normal" riding of a GS

.
Airborne is another option.... wouldn't want to be in front at a light with that in my rear view mirror!

Antwan95 · June 12, 2015, 09:27:28 PM

Quote from: Slack on June 08, 2015, 03:39:58 PM
Quote from: Antwan95 on June 08, 2015, 03:37:08 PM
It's definitely stiffer and more responsive. Plus no more diving and bottoming out when braking hard.

Your rear shock bottoms out during hard braking
I think your doing something wrong.

Whoops though he was talking about the front.

cWj · June 19, 2015, 04:09:51 PM

Quote from: jaynavajo15 on June 05, 2015, 09:58:14 AM
Finally had my r6 shock installed and the guy did it without grinding down the swing Arm he definitely modified the bottom bolt hole some how though. The way he described things. Has me thinking he routed out the bottom bolt hole in order to avoid clearance issue with swing arm. Not even sure if he sleeved it.

Pics?

I was able to get mine in without grinding. I haven't ridden it yet, but there seems to be clearance.

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