GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

hi everyone, ive been visiting gstwin for a long time now, finally took the plunge & registered. ive heard that an sv650 rear shock is a pretty good replacement for the stock one. i was just wondering what year model sv shocks will fit, ive got an 02 gs. thanks for your help.

remember that the SV shock is a good replacement, but is generally not considered an upgrade over stock.  For model year info, check out Pantablo's site.

what would you suggest i replace the rear shock with (mine is leaking) should i try the sv, or stick with genuine?

the SV is a good replacement.  I believe it is a direct bolt-on.  Here is more info:
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id39.html


If you want a performance upgrade, here are some other options:
http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id12.html

Hey, i just did an sv650 shock on an '89 this weekend.

It was not quite a direct bolt-in for me.  I could either drill a new 10mm hole in the shock, or grind away some of the linkage or shock.  I chose to drill the new hole because using the original hole would raise the rear end a LOT.  I wanted it raised a little, but this was too much.

Can't ride it yet (won't start - think the starter's dead  :x ), but it feels pretty good in the driveway.

thanks for the help guys. but i cant see any mention of what year models will fit, will any year sv shock fit into my 02 gs?

Quote from: big torqueI wanted it raised a little, but this was too much.

Is your side-stand still useful?

we have an 02 gs as well and I used a shock from a 03 sv650 as a replacement for the original which is cr@p especially after doing the front forks. I had to drill another set of holes for mounting because as standard it makes the bike sit to high. It was a really simple install though. made a huge difference as far as preload goes, the sv shock is much stiffer. I found the shock for $30 practically new on ebay, so it was a worthwhile swap. I removed the centerstand, mailny because the leftover tabs on the shock would rub it, but if you cut the remaining tabs off you can easily leave the centerstand on without interference. One good thing I noticed about increasing the rear ride height is that it makes the streering a bit more stable by putting more weight over the front. here is a pic of what it will look like with new holes drilled and installed. hope this helps.
(http://members.aol.com/avlvt/shock1.jpg)

why do people think the sv shock is a direct install? its not. and its not a big improvement over the gs shock (if the shock is in good shape).

it also raises the bike LOTS, unless you drill as shown above.

the best route is to get a used katana 600 rear shock, preferably a 2001 or thereabouts...will look EXACTLY like the stock gs shock, and raises the rear slightly.

also available on ebay for cheap.

In my experience, you have to drill the holes (as shown above) or it won't even fit.  If you do grind away to make it fit, it will raise the rear way too much.  

I used the sv650 shock from a 2001 because it was a freebie.  Nada.  Zip. Zilch.  By the way, on the SV, 1999-2001 = first gen and are all the same.  The 2003+ ones are different, and I believe they are slightly shorter(?) but no better.

So I agree with pantablo 100%.  If you're trying to upgrade, I recommend getting a katana shock, or possibly a gixxer.  I was just replacing a 16 year old shock with no life left in it, and the sv shock was free.

thanks again for all your help guys. ill have to have a hunt around and see whats available, then i can make my decision.

i just picked up a replacement shock (96 GSXR 750 shock) for my project bike.  i am anxious to see/feel the difference as the stocker was SHOT!  total mush...

anybody have personal experience with this GSXR shock?  positives? negatives?

nate,
glad you found your way over here...good people here. Just dont let them know what YOU ride or you'll never hear the end of it... :roll:

I had a 95(?) gsxr750 rear shock on my 2001 gs. I LIKED IT. Although I had a bit of rubbing on occasion between the shock spring and the swingarm front edge. The gs's dont seem to be built to a high tolerance level as some with the shock had some rubbing but many others didnt.

Installing the gsxr shock requires a bit of grinding...

Joris probaby has the best write-up on the gsxr shock install here:
http://www.bikepower.net/gs500e-power/gs500e-power.htm
(under modification manuals)

also, if you're getting that serious about the 'project' (you would have been fine with a katana shock for street riding) you might consider looking for a bandit 400 or 88-89 gsxr 750 rear wheel so you can get at least 150 series tires on the beast.
check my site for pertinent info and Joris' too, since he shoehorned in a 160. gixxer front ends are good too....


welcome to the site.
pablo-

Thanks for the welcoming and the tips, Pablo!  

i figured i should start learning more about this bike if i'm gonna be wrenching on it for a while.  i'm always looking for more ideas and different ways to change things up.  i have quite a few ideas in my head right now, just gotta write them down and see how they will tie-in as a whole.

Thanks again!
nate

Quote from: pantablowhy do people think the sv shock is a direct install?

Well, I thought so because it was on your site...

The very first sentence on your SV shock install page (http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id39.html)

• "The SV650 rear shock bolts right in and is a great way to replace your worn stock GS shock."[/list:u]
  Caption from a picture of the bottom clevis, with shock installed:
  
  • "bottom direct bolt in or modified for ride height"[/list:u]
    From the "What Lee McDonald says" section of the same page:
    
    • The standard SV shock is a bolt in afair.
      • There is no need to modify this.
      • If anyone does the conversion just leave the stock SV shock as is and bolt it straight in.
      • It is a bolt on affair but as stated I did the dogbone extension to lower it back to stock height because on weekend rides it is what my girlfriend uses.[/i][/list:u]

oh.


[what a-hole wrote that!]

you're still my hero, Pablo  :cheers:

:kiss:

I was gonna add a +1 to raylarrabee, but I didn't wanna be a d!ck.
luv ya P.
:)

So let me see if I have this straight. I have an 04F

An SV650 shock will bolt in if 2 10mm holes are drilled in the bottom of the shock as pictured above in the thread.

A katana shock will bolt right in no problem, raising the bike only slightly, not enough to need to cut the sidestand and add to it.

A GSXR750 shock I am not bothering with...too much grinding and rubbing... but...

Quotebig torque-I  used the sv650 shock from a 2001 because it was a freebie. Nada. Zip. Zilch. By the way, on the SV, 1999-2001 = first gen and are all the same. The 2003+ ones are different, and I believe they are slightly shorter(?) but no better.

Pantablo also says its not a big improvement also.

Quotepantablo-the best route is to get a used katana 600 rear shock, preferably a 2001 or thereabouts...will look EXACTLY like the stock gs shock, and raises the rear slightly.

I am 5'7 140lbs. I want to do this for beter handling when riding 2up.
So I guess in general, for ease of install and imroved handling a katana shock should be the way to go.
:dunno:  MY BRAIN HURTS

Will these shocks work? Off a 98 & 04 GSXR600
(http://i6.ebayimg.com/02/i/04/37/c8/ab_1_b.JPG)(http://i6.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/7d/b5/b9_1_b.JPG)
I'm leaning towards no.

keep leaning.

Quote from: pantablokeep leaning.

OK Leaning towards HELL NO!!
Better to ask first than buy first! :mrgreen:
Still looking...ebay has some crappy ones... :x

In my opinion if you could find a sv shock for really cheap I would go for it, the shock really is an improvement for riding 2 up. The sv shock is quite a bit stiffer than the stock shock, so it would probably accomplish what you need it to. plus you can probably find one in much better shape than most of the alternatives, most people who use the sv on track ditch the rear shock straight away.

(from Pablo's site)

the Katana shock that works is the one on the far right:

(http://pantablo500.tripod.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/shocks_for_sale_4--092902mod.jpg)

I believe you're looking for the shock off a Katana 600, model years 1989-2002

if you want an SV shock, try looking at the classifieds section of svrider.com

or post a WTB in that section.  A lot of SVers upgrade their shock, but don't bother listing their old ones because they're not worth much.

sorry to bump an old(ish) thread on a rehashed subject, but what are the obstacles to getting one of the two gixxer shocks pictured earlier in the thread mounted to the GS? As I understand it, the reservoir will not fit well, and what else?  Would using a set of lowering dogbones adjust the shock geometry enough to get away with using one of these shocks and possibly keep the ride height close enough to stock that lengthening the side and center stands wouldn't be needed?

The reason I ask is that there are never any kat shocks on eBay in decent condition for a reasonable price, but GSXR shocks are a dime a dozen.

davipu installed a GSXR shock, one with a shock mounted reservoir. Pics were posted. He was going to have to make new dogbones.

I have installed a 04 GSXR600 shock on the bike I am building. The the top shock mount was raised to accomodate it. I mainly did this to utilize the ride height adjustablity.

The newer GSXR shocks have larger diameter springs. These will hit the swing arm. I had to use a GSXR linkage (which is shorter) to clear the swingarm.

yah i'd like to replace the rear shock too...riding 2 up sucks on the gs, as soon as someone sits on the back it feels like the thing is practically bottomed out already.

So whats the difference between the katana and SV shock then that makes the katana that much better?

OK not to bring a dead horse back to life but...

I have a SV650 shock and for the life of me it wont go in!! :x

What I think I did was drill the 10mm holes a little high and the bottom of the shock hits and the holes will not line up. Is there a way around this or should I scrap the idea and the shock is now garbage..

P.S. U are allowed to flame my stupidity, only if you give a good suggestion afterwards. And I searched and no one points out where exactly to drill the holes and i did email someone who has done this and I never received a reply. I am pretty pissed right now

well if you have the old shock...you just measure the distance between the holes ;)

I did. The bottom holes on the GS shock are nowhere near the ones on the SV. So I drilled much lower than that . The shock is hitting the rocker/linkage.
And is it me or does the shock look like its hitting the swingarm in the pic earlier in this thread. I am pondering grinding the rocker down but it looks to me that might not even work. I may have to just get another shock and try it again. Yes, oh, this is my luck. :x

If anyone else can bestow wisdom unto me , me would greatly appreciate that wisdom!(not that I do not appreciate your response airbrush :cheers: )

Anyone?

:bump:

you mentioned there was pic in thread somewhere?? cant find it...just that link in your signature...maybe i'm blind. But thats one nice hugger you got there though... :thumb:

Quote from: airbrushyou mentioned there was pic in thread somewhere?? cant find it...just that link in your signature...maybe i'm blind.

On the first page of this thread is...
If I grind my rocker?(what the dogbones bolt to) it seems to me since it moves on a pivot it will bring the bottom of the shock further out and the spring will hit the swinngarm. I am still sooo pissed that I could make a mistake like that. The sv holes measure 12in on centers. I have the stocker back in the bike and away? Do you know the measurement of the stock shock center hole2hole?

Quote from: airbrushBut thats one nice hugger you got there though... :thumb:

Yeah man!!! Some weird guy says to me hey man want a huuug??? So i says hell no man, but I need a quality CF hugger to fit my 2004 GS500F! Can you help me?  So he says hell yeah I can do that you send me money I send you hugs. And so a hugger was born and I must say it is a pleasure to raise> Fits nicely and the workmanship ... Ok you sold it to me! I was running my mouth again :)
I am going to copy that image and edit it a little so i can try to show what I mean better.
I dont make sense anymore   :bs:

Ok heres what I got- I think my 7 yr old son can do better but hey...

Click the link in my sig and there is an edited pic of gs2sv's shock (I believe its his/her bike) describing my dilema. I'l bet if i was drinking I would have done a better job!! :cheers:  :cheers:

I emailed some dude selling his shock on svrider.com, but he has yet to respond. If I can get his I wont bother with this fu*kup. I will just have to plan better or gs2sv can give me the exact measurement of that shock in the pic. I emailed but again no response.
Airbrush is the only one paying any attention to me!! :thumb: (not ghey)

oh yeah :bumpity-bump:

hmm...yah looks like some rubbin goin on there...not sure how you would fix that, other than buying a katana shock like i did :P

I havent seen any good kat ones. I got a good deal on the sv one but that isnt it in the pic.

http://www.katriders.com/

just join the forum and put a want to buy up in the for sale section...had one within a couple of days, good condition with only 5000 clicks on it.

Will a Kat shock from an 05 fit? Maybe pantablo sees this and knows? I can get a deal on one so I am  def looking into it.

I would guess it would. But then you probably don't want to gamble with your money on my guess.  :lol:

Measure it maybe? Or go look for specifications on it?

Quote from: NightRyderI would guess it would. But then you probably don't want to gamble with your money on my guess.  :lol:

Measure it maybe? Or go look for specifications on it?

Well after the sv shock snafu I dont want to waste ne more $$$ but I want to take the stocker and launch it into space.

The shock is not local so i can't measure but I am waiting on measurements. I might go to the dealer and see if they have any 05s out. I could just call but they might screw with me and LIE!!!!!! we'll see...

Seems to me an 05 will work. When I get it in (hopefully) I'll let you guys know.  :thumb:
[edit]
OK I MUST be sick in the head;
Stock shock is 11 3/8 NOT 13.5 - 05 Kat shock is about 11.5 in.

Someone shoot me now PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!