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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 07:14:13 PM

Title: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 07:14:13 PM
well im a bigger guy(220) :cry: and every time i get on the bike i heard the tire rub, now is thare anthing out there to raise of stiffing up the rear...befor it eats throught the plastic. :mad:..
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: darb85 on April 22, 2008, 07:16:27 PM
Katana 600 rear shock, bolt in, takes 5 minutes.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 07:27:05 PM
so that will stiffin it and will be no rubbing? or will it raise it? or both :)
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: gsJack on April 22, 2008, 07:27:40 PM
Something wrong there, did someone put lowering links or a way oversize tire on it?  Or both?  Broken spring?

I've been 240-250# since I got my first GS and put 80k miles on the 97 and 58k miles on the 02 without bottoming out the rear suspensions.

Check the preload setting on the rear spring and crank it up a bit.  Load capacity of your bike is over 400# with the preload cranked up.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 07:35:14 PM
hummmmmm how would i do that....like spin a a knob o sothing on the shock...sorry for the neb questions im new  :)
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: frankieG on April 22, 2008, 07:43:46 PM
i think there is a youtube of it...i am searching
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: darb85 on April 22, 2008, 07:50:28 PM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 07:27:05 PM
so that will stiffin it and will be no rubbing? or will it raise it? or both :)

Both!  very worthwile upgrade.  check ebay!

I would also check for lowering links.  buy some stockers and make sure that yours hasnt been lowerd
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 08:02:04 PM
is this the movie....http://youtube.com/watch?v=6VHKrV7kIGM  mines a 92 will it still work like this and will this fit my bike http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUZUKI-KATANA-REAR-SHOCK-GSX-600-1998-2002_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ35592QQihZ006QQitemZ160231319812QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: darb85 on April 22, 2008, 08:10:32 PM
yes! buy it or I will! :D  thats a deal.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 08:19:03 PM
just bought it :cheers:
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: darb85 on April 22, 2008, 08:24:43 PM
sweet!  its a really easy fix, but i would make sure that you dont have lowering links in there too
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: pbureau69 on April 23, 2008, 04:05:59 AM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 08:19:03 PM
just bought it :cheers:

you did redrill and cut the end of that Katana shock before installing right ? (see wiki for explanations)

[10.09 am and coffee intake ] sorry confused with sv650 shock there...
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: The Buddha on April 23, 2008, 04:25:17 AM
Katana shock, no drilling required.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: ajaxgs on April 23, 2008, 07:08:57 AM
Quote from: The Buddha on April 23, 2008, 04:25:17 AM
Katana shock, no drilling required.
Cool.
Buddha.

+1 direct bolt in and maybe a 1/4" bump in height , love the one i put in changes the bike totaly
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: VSG on April 23, 2008, 10:17:45 AM
Is it worth it to wait to get upgraded front forks as well?  Or is the katana rear shock good enough on it's own?

In other words, having an upgraded rear and the stock soft front will still lead to an improvment in handling?
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: bucks1605 on April 23, 2008, 10:26:53 AM
If you upgrade the rear without doing the front, I think it would make the front seem even worse. The stiffer shock would raise up the rear and put more weight on the front. I would at least throw some progressives in there for $60 when you do the kat swap.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: ajaxgs on April 23, 2008, 10:36:38 AM
get the progressives or race tec's and mybe a fork brace , have done all that  to mine and now its rock solid
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: ben2go on April 23, 2008, 11:33:17 AM
I am 200 pounds here was my set up with the GS front end.Progressive fork springs and 15w fork oil and95 Katana rear shock settings 2 on the dial and 5 on the spring preload.I am currently setting up a 95 Katana frontend and a 97 Katana shock.Katana front end has 20w fork oil.I think that's what dgyver and I put in mine.Maybe 7w.  :dunno_white:
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: darb85 on April 23, 2008, 11:41:34 AM
Quote from: bucks1605 on April 23, 2008, 10:26:53 AM
If you upgrade the rear without doing the front, I think it would make the front seem even worse. The stiffer shock would raise up the rear and put more weight on the front. I would at least throw some progressives in there for $60 when you do the kat swap.

I agree with that.  But the Kat swap will improve handeling considerably. 
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: The Buddha on April 23, 2008, 01:41:57 PM
Its like this, the front is crap, you dont feel it only cos the rear is equally bad. You improve one and the other will show ... a lot, like ... jet your left carb for K&N and pipe and leave your right carb stock and fit a K&N and pipe  :thumb: ... yea like that. Or OK not like that ... but you get the idea.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: leedutcher on April 23, 2008, 04:27:52 PM
anybidy got a link of where i can find some forks to go along with my kat rears....also im no donald trup to so i kinda need somthing cheap but effective
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: darb85 on April 23, 2008, 04:39:21 PM
ebay is your friend.  Pre 1998 front forks are simple bolt ins,  just need a couple of spacers on the steering stem.  88-97 600/750 Katana Front end.

www.katriders.com might have something for ya too...
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: ben2go on April 23, 2008, 05:16:02 PM
89-97 katana 600 front forks,triple clamps with stem,both calipers and rotors,41mm clip ons.The GS front wheel is the same as the Kat.There's a little plastic dust cover on the GS wheel that covers up the other set of bolt holes.See this thread. http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=13673 I am finishing up a Kat install this weekend.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: bucks1605 on April 23, 2008, 05:23:40 PM
I think there are a couple f/e's on ebay right now. I got mine from a guy locally on craigslist, great price.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: ben2go on April 23, 2008, 05:29:10 PM
Yep I was lookin last night.I did a search for katana in motorcycle parts in ebay motors.I don't like the 88 forks cause they don't have any adjustment on the forks.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: shuluke on April 23, 2008, 09:27:35 PM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 08:19:03 PM
just bought it :cheers:

lol.. I was bidding on that.. :)
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: bucks1605 on April 23, 2008, 09:31:42 PM
Quote from: shuluke on April 23, 2008, 09:27:35 PM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 08:19:03 PM
just bought it :cheers:

lol.. I was bidding on that.. :)


Owned with the buy it now option.

Keep an eye on katriders.com  A few weeks ago a guy gave his away, just pay shipping. Can't beat that!
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: bucks1605 on April 24, 2008, 07:35:52 AM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 23, 2008, 04:27:52 PM
anybidy got a link of where i can find some forks to go along with my kat rears....also im no donald trup to so i kinda need somthing cheap but effective

Not sure where you're located, but I saw this in the Columbus, Ohio craigslist this morning.

http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/654305512.html (http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/654305512.html)
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: leedutcher on April 24, 2008, 04:28:43 PM
Quote from: shuluke on April 23, 2008, 09:27:35 PM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 08:19:03 PM
just bought it :cheers:

lol.. I was bidding on that.. :)





if i dont like it ill sell it to ya
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: bucks1605 on April 24, 2008, 06:07:32 PM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 24, 2008, 04:28:43 PM
Quote from: shuluke on April 23, 2008, 09:27:35 PM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 22, 2008, 08:19:03 PM
just bought it :cheers:

lol.. I was bidding on that.. :)





if i dont like it ill sell it to ya

I don' t think you'll have to worry about that!
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: leedutcher on April 25, 2008, 03:47:06 PM
lol....never know
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: shuluke on April 27, 2008, 09:51:13 PM
Quote from: leedutcher on April 25, 2008, 03:47:06 PM
lol....never know


I am all ears! You should PM me if you are going to keep it as well. :)

Shuluke
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: VSG on May 02, 2008, 06:32:02 AM
I'm planning to get some progressive springs from here:  www.mawonline.com/progress.htm (part number 02517)

According to the steps in the FAQ (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25706.0) I'll only need to do up to step 11a, right?  So no cutting or adjusting preload.

Any tips on what fork oil to use?
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: bucks1605 on May 02, 2008, 06:46:52 AM
Quote from: VSG on May 02, 2008, 06:32:02 AM
I'm planning to get some progressive springs from here:  www.mawonline.com/progress.htm (part number 02517)

According to the steps in the FAQ (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=25706.0) I'll only need to do up to step 11a, right?  So no cutting or adjusting preload.

Any tips on what fork oil to use?

Right, progressive springs don't use any spacers. I've used several different brands of fork oil; Spectro, Suzuki brand, and Motorex. As far as weight, I went with a 15w, but it all depends on your personal preference. Stock is 10w.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: VSG on May 02, 2008, 07:16:02 AM
I'm sure a search would show the answer, but I assume 15W will be stiffer than 10W?
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: bucks1605 on May 02, 2008, 07:26:14 AM
Quote from: VSG on May 02, 2008, 07:16:02 AM
I'm sure a search would show the answer, but I assume 15W will be stiffer than 10W?

Correct, it affects rebound, damping, and compression of the front suspension. The heavier you go, the firmer your suspension.

Our bikes may have come with 5w oil from the factory, not sure on that.

Anyway, I weigh 190 and went with a 15w.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: beRto on May 02, 2008, 07:43:38 AM
I use Progressives with a 0.75" spacer and 10W oil (5.5" air gap).
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: gsJack on May 02, 2008, 08:14:41 AM
I too have the 3/4" spacers recommended by Progresive.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: VSG on May 02, 2008, 08:28:57 AM
There's so much good info on this site, thanks!

So where can I get these 3/4" spacers?  :laugh:

I'm 200 lbs and not really impressed with the stock fron forks so I think I'll go with 15W oil.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: beRto on May 02, 2008, 08:35:35 AM
Quote from: VSG on May 02, 2008, 08:28:57 AM
There's so much good info on this site, thanks!

You're welcome!

Quote
So where can I get these 3/4" spacers?  :laugh:

When the Progressives arrive, there should be some PVC pipe in the box. Cut this down to whatever length you like. Progressive recommends 3/4"; some people prefer 1". The most important thing is that the two spacers are the same length. It's also a good idea to sand down any rough edges.

Some people prefer to cut the stock spacers instead (I chose to keep them intact in case I ever want to return the bike to stock). Another option is to use a schedule 40 endcap made for 1/2" PVC pipe.

http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id2.html (http://pantablo500.tripod.com/id2.html)

:icon_mrgreen:
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: ben2go on May 02, 2008, 09:27:03 AM
To set my sag correctly I had to cut 1 and 3/4 inch spacers from the PVC material provided with the progressive springs.I used 15w fork oil.I don't recommend Suzuki brand.It quickly goes from clear with a golden hue to that nasty crap that comes out when you first empty the forks.
Title: Re: need to stiffin up the rear suspention asap!
Post by: bucks1605 on May 02, 2008, 03:26:27 PM
Oh, my bad. Sorry for providing wrong info, I just remembered seeing that people on katriders weren't using spacers, so I assumed it was the same for the gs.  :oops: