I'm pretty sure my 2001 GS has always had the rear shock on the stock setting of 4. With hubby's help (he turned it, I watched) we moved it to what we thought was more preload (1), but it was less, so the rear end was really solid and felt taller. With the Sonic springs up front, the bike was like riding a rock, and I didn't like the handling. So he put it all the way back the other way today while I was elsewhere, and we went for a long ride through the Malibu area canyons, came home, and it had no damping left, just spring. THEN he told me that it was leaking. He had "thought" it might be, but wasn't sure, so didn't tell me... :cookoo: So I said great, I've been riding canyons with oil dripping in front of my rear tire.... fun. :o (But it was a really great ride!). Seems drastically adjusting it just blew the oil seal.
So now I need a new rear shock. I have found a little bit in search, most seem to like to upgrade to a Katana rear shock, but it supposedly raises the rear end and is also really stiff. I also don't want the bike taller, I generally can only flat foot it on one side as it is. So there's the GSX-R 600? which is bigger and needs some mods to fit and would also probably be taller? Or I've also read here that a Bandit shock will fit, which would lower the rear of the bike, which would be a plus for me. But that's an older model, right?
So who has used and liked a Bandit shock, and or who knows what year/size would fit my 2001? Or should I just get a new GS stock shock? That seems to me a waste of a good excuse to "upgrade".
Any thoughts on rear shocks and advice will be much appreciated. 8)
PS: Ran across a 2005 SV650 on the way home from Santa Barbara yesterday, it was gorgeous, yellow, and if money was no object and we'd had real garage space, we would have taken turns riding it home... but I LOVE my GS! :icon_mrgreen:
Katana 600 shock works great!
didnt seem to gain any hight either
Thanks, so much! I about had a stroke when I saw some of the prices on eBay, I can't figure out how a shock with less that 8K miles on it could fail like that.
No offense, but how much do you weigh?? ;) You really think there was no added height? I'm 140, 5'6", add 10 pounds for gear, and the kid who owned it before me was 5'9 and not heavy either. Don't know the history of the bike before that... just that the seat was modded for the vertically challenged. :laugh:
Maybe I shoulda bought that SV650.... But dang, I put on another 55 miles in canyons and on PCH today, and I love her... I just may not be able to afford her at this rate. :cry:
Oh, and year ranges that would fit a 2001??? :icon_mrgreen: Anyone know if a 2005 Katana shock would fit? Thanks! I finally found a local riding buddy and now my bike is broken... :icon_rolleyes:
I believe pre 2003 fits perfect, but check the wiki. (see FAQ section)
Im 6'2" and 160 on a bad day.(ya im a skinny little freak)
No noticable height increase either. at most 1/2 inch, maybe but the shocks are exactly the same length. so....
I still have my old stock shock if you might be intrested let me know.
Thanks, I'll check the wiki and if I can't find something will let you know on your shock. :thumb:
My hubby is 6' and 150 soaking wet, you guys make great road bike (bicycles) riders! I think it's a very nice build on a guy myself. ;)
Quote from: Teek on January 20, 2008, 10:40:36 PM
Thanks, I'll check the wiki and if I can't find something will let you know on your shock. :thumb:
My hubby is 6' and 150 soaking wet, you guys make great road bike (bicycles) riders! I think it's a very nice build on a guy myself. ;)
I can relate to that build, I still have a pretty good memory. Here's a pic I recieved recently of me and the wife carring our daughter taken by a friend almost 56 years ago. I was about 6'2" and 155# then. That's the friend cut off at the left.
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/?action=view¤t=JR1952.jpg
I'm just under 6' now and about 240# and have no current pics available. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Hi Jack, that's a neat photo, yup, that's the way I like 'em. :kiss3: :icon_mrgreen:
I can remember when I could eat 3 doughnuts every day or so in my teens and 20s and stick at 123 pounds... for years.... *sigh*
Do you have any rear shock opinions for my 2001 model, oh my guru? :bowdown:
I found 1991-2005, from $20 up to $135.00. Sheesh.
Quote from: gsJack on January 20, 2008, 11:12:51 PMI'm just under 6' now and about 240# and have no current pics available. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I seem to remember a very cool faces-only shot of you and your honey about 3 years ago. It was in a thread called something like "Everybody post photos of your significant other". I believe it was in the Odd & Ends forum ... but I see that no threads exist there before 2005. :cry:
i just picked an 03 kat600 shock off e-bay for 30$ fits perfect and little to no ride height difference ....goes in easy too !
i have my old one if you want p.m me i'll sell it cheep only 20k km on it not leaking
Quote from: Teek on January 20, 2008, 11:42:58 PM
Do you have any rear shock opinions for my 2001 model
I found 1991-2005, from $20 up to $135.00. Sheesh.
I put 80k miles on my 97 GS500E and JP (son) who has it now has run that up to over 90k miles and put in a new (slightly used) motor but it still has the original rear shock on it.
My 02 GS500 rear shock began leaking at around 6-7k miles and got real bad quickly, they must have got some bad ones around 01-02 about the time assembly of GSs was moved to Spain. Probably a new supplier. I got a slightly used one from a board member who had replaced his with a Kat or Bandit shock and have had no problems with it with over 56k miles on the bike now.
I like the OEM rear shock myself, don't want any of the taller shock changes that raise the bike now that I'm shrinking. :) I put about 40k miles on a set of Progressive front springs in the 97 GS and then switched them to the 02 GS and put another 50k miles on them so they're broken in just right now. Some say they are too stiff but they work nicely with my weight.
When I more recently put on links to lower the rear only about 1 1/4" it stiffened the rear suspension a noticeable amount and feels better balanced with the stiffer front with the progressives. I like it the way it is now.
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=32734.msg363373#msg363373
Check out the shocks mentioned by ajaxgs and darb85 above, probably better than buying from a stranger on e-bay.
Quote from: Kerry on January 21, 2008, 02:34:07 PM
Quote from: gsJack on January 20, 2008, 11:12:51 PMI'm just under 6' now and about 240# and have no current pics available. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I seem to remember a very cool faces-only shot of you and your honey about 3 years ago. It was in a thread called something like "Everybody post photos of your significant other". I believe it was in the Odd & Ends forum ... but I see that no threads exist there before 2005. :cry:
You must be referring to this pic Kerry, I'll link it again since my belly doesn't show, lol:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/mer.jpg
That was a few years ago at our grandson's wedding, here's one of me and my new favorite gal:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/meg.jpg
OK, one more of me and JP:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/jackjohnburp04.jpg
Hi Jack,
I just pm'd you, as you were posting here! :icon_mrgreen: Thanks for the info on leaking shocks, it will probably get Lars off the hook, but as I told him, it's just a good excuse to try the upgrade out. I was liking the bike just fine though after I put the Sonic springs in up front, even though they are pretty stiff they give me excellent front end road feel, which I like. I did not like it after we took the preload off the rear shock though, too stiff overall, it seemed I could not "connect" with the bike. It was like riding a strange horse, LOL!
I'm concerned about height because I have no ACL in my right knee, making it sometimes a little wobbly and prone to collapse, also have a bad hip that side, and a bad back (broke some vertebrae at some point). Doesn't bother me when on the bike though. When I was young I could ride anything I could toe with confidence, now that I'm older I'd rather not be on tiptoe on it, especially as pretty much everywhere we ride is very cambered and rough pavement... that's the part of getting older that sux, losing that easy physical confidence, especially if one was athletic all through life previously. I got beat upand now it's showing.
ajaxgs, thanks for the input! I took a chance and bought that 2005 Katana 600 shock off eBay early this am, I haven't heard from the seller but he has good fb, so hope he actually sends it. I figure we'll install it, and if it doesn't work out I will offer it for a swap back to stock, or check back with the riders here who still have their stock shock. What year is your stock??
I am interested in the lowering links however, if I can do it w/o messing up the bike, so will check those out. An inch would help me a lot, my seat is already modded and I'd like to be able to move back from the tank more. I can probably handle the stiffer suspension if the bike is lower.
Thanks everyone! Please feel free to weigh in with any further observations, I appreciate it and it all helps!
I just looked at gsJack's lowering links links, Pingel doesn't offer one for the GS anymore it seems, though they do for the SV. The Muzzy's for the ZX-6 are anodized gold and are $20 less than the Diamonds. Jack, do I need to worry about the Muzzy's potentially rubbing on anything on the chassis? They might be the one I'd like to try... and then should I slide my forks up a bit to compensate, anyone??? I don't want to mess up the handling. I like how stable and neutral the bike is, yet really responsive in turning. At least mine is. :icon_confused:
Quote from: gsJack on January 21, 2008, 03:16:20 PMYou must be referring to this pic Kerry, I'll link it again since my belly doesn't show, lol:
Yep, that's the one! :kiss3:
Quote from: gsJack on January 21, 2008, 03:16:20 PMhere's one of me and my new favorite gal:
Wow - nabbed yourself a(nother) cutie! :thumb:
Quote from: gsJack on January 21, 2008, 03:16:20 PMOK, one more of me and JP:
Ah yes - that one looks familiar. Should we read anything into the filename - some kind of contest going on? :laugh:
[jackjohn
burp04.jpg]
=========================
OK, sorry folks ... back your regularly scheduled thread. :icon_rolleyes:
Hey Kerry,
Besides any input on the Katana 600 shock and lowering links, what do you think about my burning desire to paint my bike pearl yellow? :icon_mrgreen:
PS: Good catch on the file name, and it was #4 to boot! :laugh:
I just won a nice 97 katana shock on ebay for $20 (included shipping :icon_mrgreen:) and a 1.5 inch lowering link for $27.75 w/shipping (for my wife) both should be here 1/22 i was planning on measuring the height as well as taking some specific bumps (ones i tend to avoid!)before and after to see the diff, ill let you know.
Dave-
Hi Dave,
I was going to bid on that shock, I hope it works out well for you!!! I'm glad I didn't end up bidding against you! LOL! Yeah, PLEASE let me know anything you can that might help, I'm hoping to get the shock in time to put it in Sunday, there's no time before that... I figure do that first, then order the links, I can't afford to pay for them and then not use them.
I would seriously appreciate any info you come up with, thanks! :thumb:
Quote from: Teek on January 21, 2008, 03:59:28 PM
I just looked at gsJack's lowering links links, Pingel doesn't offer one for the GS anymore it seems, though they do for the SV. The Muzzy's for the ZX-6 are anodized gold and are $20 less than the Diamonds. Jack, do I need to worry about the Muzzy's potentially rubbing on anything on the chassis? They might be the one I'd like to try... and then should I slide my forks up a bit to compensate, anyone??? I don't want to mess up the handling. I like how stable and neutral the bike is, yet really responsive in turning. At least mine is. :icon_confused:
Pingel never made links for the GS, the ones I used were for Kawi ZX models their part #62018. Look under Kawi models:
http://www.pingelonline.com/lowering_links.htm
I used them because they lowered my rear about 1 1/4" and the Muzzys ZX6 links lower it about 2 1/2" which was more than I wanted. Here's a post on the Muzzy's link from someone that used them:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=7304
The Diamond links are the only ones listed for the GS and they lower it about 2" according to them.
I lowered the front about 1/2" at first but the bike was getting too vertical on the sidestand so I put it back, it's necessary to shorten the sidestand to get enough lean if you lower much more than I did.
The forks can't be slid up much without hitting the bars unless you move the bars out of the way. I already had the GenMar risers that moved mine back and up so the forks would clear:
http://www.zianet.com/GenMar/
You can put an extra set of bar clamp caps under the bars with longer bolts if you want to lower the front without the GenMars. Much less expensive, I did that on the 97 GS after I transferred the GenMars to the 02. Raises the bars about 3/4".
Quote from: Teek on January 21, 2008, 04:38:40 PM
Hey Kerry,
Besides any input on the Katana 600 shock and lowering links, what do you think about my burning desire to paint my bike pearl yellow? :icon_mrgreen:
PS: Good catch on the file name, and it was #4 to boot! :laugh:
OK guys, guess I'll have to explain. A group of about 20 of us from another forum got together down in the Great Smoky Mountains at Wythsville, VA near the Blue Ridge Parkway to ride for a few days, The ride has repeated every year since. I went in 02, 03, and 04 and JP went along in 03 and 04.
We wanted a name to call it that included the Blue Ridge Parkway and some one suggested we call it the BuRP ride and the name stuck. The only contests involved took part in the mountain twisties, the BRP, the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway and many other such roads down there.
So here's proof JP and I were there, last pic:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/jackjohnBRPhighburp04.jpg)
hey teek ....mine is a 2000 model
Jack, you rode The Dragon, you're my HeRo! :thumb: :thumb: :thumb: I figured you are too classy to have that mean what we were thinking, shame on us! :nono:
Thanks for clarifying the Pigel link, I misunderstood the ZX part, they confused me too because they listed part #62019, I thought 18 should be there somewhere. Thanks so much for ALL the links, I have been getting an education today, fretting about my baby. She's the only thing left I own that has an engine in it! So she can kick me in my ego... I must keep her sound and purty...
I was figuring I'd have to slide the forks up to the bars, which is only about a 1/2 inch. So I also appreciate the forsight to provide those links on the risers as well! :kiss3:
We had a sidestand height problem on the DR650 when it was lowered too, so there may be one here as well, I was aware of that but crossing fingers, this all is adding up fast in money out of my pocket I wasn't expecting to spend.
I'd want to lower it w/o messing it up handling wise, it's the sweetest bike I've ridden, maybe I've been riding junk, but it suits me (the GS, not the previous junk, which includes an 84 Sportster,= JUNK!).
Hi Dave, a 2000 works, if I decide to go back to stock will give you a holler, thanks! I'll let you know what happens with mine too...
Kerry, isn't your bike yellow? 8)
You can put an extra set of bar clamp caps under the bars with longer bolts if you want to lower the front without the GenMars. Much less expensive, I did that on the 97 GS after I transferred the GenMars to the 02. Raises the bars about 3/4".
I just looked at the prices, I feel like I'm putting gold plate over nickel here contemplating putting all this stuff on this old bike, the prices are crossing my eyes and raising my heart rate! (http://home.earthlink.net/~roughroadstudio/eek.gif) Sheesh! I guess I would have to choose the extra set of bar clamps, afraid now of what they cost... (http://home.earthlink.net/~roughroadstudio/jawdrop.gif)
Crap, I was only going for a rear shock mod... (http://home.earthlink.net/~roughroadstudio/cry.gif) :laugh:
Yea too late ... I got a GSXR shock ... OK fine you bought already ...
Anyway its direct bolt in, has a remote reservoir and is a good swap in ... Its a shade harder than a Kat, and has a adjustability range that would make it even harder I guess ...
I'd like $100 and shipping.
And yes its uncommon but I have blown a shock myself. There was a beautiful RF600 or 900 shock I had on the back of my gs that just blew one fine day. It was like riding a pogo stick.
Cool.
Srinath.
Quote from: Teek on January 21, 2008, 04:38:40 PM
Hey Kerry,
Besides any input on the Katana 600 shock and lowering links, what do you think about my burning desire to paint my bike pearl yellow? :icon_mrgreen:
Quote from: Teek on January 21, 2008, 11:08:11 PMKerry, isn't your bike yellow? 8)
Sorry
Teek ... I somehow missed that first post yesterday. Yep, my bike is Yellow, but it came that way. My Dad found the bike at a good price and offered to transport it 1300 miles to my place. To be honest, I was a little leery of the color at first, but it's grown on me. :icon_mrgreen: If for no other reason, folks have mentioned that it provides good contrast for all the close-up photos I've posted. 8)
I don't have any experience with lowering links; only the various posts that I've read on the board. I
did buy a '96(?) Katana rear shock from Srinath years ago, though. It sat unused until I sold my '96 GS500 to a neighbor. He outweighed me by a bit, and opted to mount the shock. I'm not sure I ever rode the bike with the "new" shock, but I seem to remember him reporting that it
did raise the tail a bit ... and that the rear end didn't bottom out anymore. (http://bbburma.net/Smilies/dunno_black.gif)
Quote from: gsJack on January 21, 2008, 07:34:10 PMOK guys, guess I'll have to explain. [...] some one suggested we call it the BuRP ride and the name stuck.
I didn't know (or I'd forgotten) the derivation of the "burp" designation, but I knew it had to be something besides what I kidded you about. Sorry for the detour; you owe
me one, I guess!
See ... this is just proof you should always buy your shocks from "the srinath" ...
Yea ... O0 :thumb: ...
Cool.
Srinath.
I definitely concur on the pogo stick thing. I hit a big bump coming home and it bucked, and I thought What the hey??! Back end is just wild now. It's raining here til Sunday (what qualifies as "rain" in CA) so I wouldn't be taking it out anyway. I am hoping the shock actually gets here, haven't heard from the seller, but I know how to get him if it doesn't show.
Kerry, yellow is a gorgeous color, especially combined with black and chrome. I'd love a yellow bike, as long as it's not lemon yellow, it's okay. Everything I had or knew that was lemon yellow was a lemon...
Srinath, I think a Gixxer shock would be overkill for me, but yeah, I shoulda checked with you first. Dunno what I was thinking! :cookoo: Will that chin spoiler on the Sale/Trade forum fit my '01 okay?
Quote from: Teek on January 22, 2008, 01:28:53 PM
I definitely concur on the pogo stick thing. I hit a big bump coming home and it bucked, and I thought What the hey??! Back end is just wild now. It's raining here til Sunday (what qualifies as "rain" in CA) so I wouldn't be taking it out anyway. I am hoping the shock actually gets here, haven't heard from the seller, but I know how to get him if it doesn't show.
Kerry, yellow is a gorgeous color, especially combined with black and chrome. I'd love a yellow bike, as long as it's not lemon yellow, it's okay. Everything I had or knew that was lemon yellow was a lemon...
Srinath, I think a Gixxer shock would be overkill for me, but yeah, I shoulda checked with you first. Dunno what I was thinking! :cookoo: Will that chin spoiled on the Sale/Trade forum fit my '01 okay?
This forum started over a yellow bike, when John & Annie started it Annie had a yellow GS500 and John had a SV650.
http://gstwins.com/photogallery/displayimage.php?album=2&pos=0
Suggest you park that pogo stick till you get the new shock. When mine was slowly leaking I headed out towards PA with JP riding with a slight pogo effect, was still looking for a shock at the time. Seems like about half way there all the fluid was suddenly gone and it became almost uncontrolable in corners. Even at a slowed pace the rear just skipped out sideways in turns. Turned around and made it slowly back home and parked it till I got a shock.
Hi Jack,
Thanks for the safety advice! :thumb: I'm not riding it til it has a new shock, and then since hubby will kindly install it for me, I will double check all the bolts, then let him test ride it first. He's good with stuff like that. Right now if I bounce the back end, it's wilder than my first spring loaded rocking horse when I was a kid! I could probably launch stuff off of it. :o It was leaking when we went out Sunday (I wasn't told), and it was still dripping oil when we came back, 2 1/2 hours of it pumping out oil later, but I didn't feel much until we got off of Tuna Canyon, it seemed just a bit looser in the back but I was in the part I take slow anyway. By the time we got home from there on PCH, it was definitly bouncy. When I covered it at 12 am, it was probably mostly gone. There's a spot under it now that I have to clean up. It looks like it's got oil all over the top of the shock, but I'll know more when it comes out. I guess this is a good heads up thread for people with this year model to take note of.
I was looking for the GS adjustment tool, assuming it will also work on the Katana shock..? Is that correct? I expect we'll set it up, then put it in, then ride it, then tweak it.
Yeah, I read about Annie's yellow GS when I first joined up here, it's a "gold" standard! :icon_mrgreen: