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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: vorBH on November 09, 2008, 08:58:27 PM

Title: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 09, 2008, 08:58:27 PM
Thinking that the back is low, if increase the height will look more sporty.
I know nothing so someone please tell me couple things: Will this mod work? Will it screw up control of the bike and steering? And will 1.25inch increase be much noticeable?

Found them here: http://cgi.ebay.ca/Raising-Riser-kit-GS500-GS-500-All-Years_W0QQitemZ280276836501QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item280276836501&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: Teek on November 10, 2008, 12:22:01 AM
It will lift the seat too. If you want it higher in the back and a better rear shock, do the Katana shock swap, you can get them for about $50 or less, the amount of work to sway is about the same as links, maybe easier, you'll get an inch or so higher at the seat, maybe 2-3" in the back at the tail, my tail came up just about 3 inches. Then I actually had to swap out the links to lower the bike at the seat height, as I could barely toe it, being inseam challenged. But it would be the look you're going after.  For geometry, your front end will then be relatively lower, making your turn in quicker.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: seanathin48 on November 10, 2008, 01:22:31 AM
Im 6'3, I'd like to see this done and know how ur results went.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 10, 2008, 07:47:22 AM
Ok so just get a Katana rear shock? Which year Katana should it come from and its going on my 07 GS500F
The Katana rear shock alone will increase the height for sure? Whats the stock size of shock right now and whats the size of a Katana rear-shock?

I'm 6'1, I don't think there will be any problems reaching ground

Thanks
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: The Buddha on November 10, 2008, 08:12:46 AM
Yes, GSXR shock or katana shock .... better shock and higher ride height.

Kat shock - I found one recently - $35. - Can be opened and tested before sending to you so you know its not leaky and the dials work etc, and I can do powdercoat on the spring etc in your color choice. I do that before I buy ... cos I have had crap leak when I bought off ebay.

GSXR shock, I have one for $75. Sold with a modified linkage needed to fit it, and I'll need your linkage after you fit it. Again spring etc can be coated ...
Spring+collar+ring etc powdercoating is ~35 bucks. The example is here.

http://picasaweb.google.com/srinath.the.man/PoppedOpenShocks#

You choice of color ... I also paint the body when its popped open. Though I am really hating painting ... $10.
Cool.
Buddha.



Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 10, 2008, 08:34:50 AM
Quote from: The Buddha on November 10, 2008, 08:12:46 AM
Yes, GSXR shock or katana shock .... better shock and higher ride height.

Kat shock - I found one recently - $35. - Can be opened and tested before sending to you so you know its not leaky and the dials work etc, and I can do powdercoat on the spring etc in your color choice. I do that before I buy ... cos I have had crap leak when I bought off ebay.

GSXR shock, I have one for $75. Sold with a modified linkage needed to fit it, and I'll need your linkage after you fit it. Again spring etc can be coated ...
Spring+collar+ring etc powdercoating is ~35 bucks. The example is here.

http://picasaweb.google.com/srinath.the.man/PoppedOpenShocks#

You choice of color ... I also paint the body when its popped open. Though I am really hating painting ... $10.
Cool.
Buddha.



Ok Im gona get back to you shortly about this, gimme couple hours I just have to go to university quickly now.
In the meatime the GS500 Wiki says "The Katana shock will raise the tail end of the GS up about 1/2"-3/4" due to the longer length of the shock". While the raiser kit I posted above will raise the rear end 1.25 inches...I want the rise in height to make a difference......BUT if I get the risers Ill only have stock GS500 shock....and if I get the Kat/GSXR shock I'll only get the ~1/2inch increase.........Can I do both shock upgrade and risers???
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: The Buddha on November 10, 2008, 09:37:40 AM
Kat is 3/4 inch under no load. Load it up with rider and gear and its closer to 2 inches over stock on a similarly loaded stock shock.
GSXR is 1.5-2 inch under no load. Load it up and it could sit as high as 3 inches over a similarly loaded stock GS.
Your important criteria is when you're riding.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 10, 2008, 01:57:22 PM
Ok then I'd prob take the GSXR b/c Im a big guy myself (6'1, 175lbs)....so then it would sit (with load on) about 3 inches above what stock would sit at, correct?

And so this obviously means the GSXR shock is longer than the Katana shock, correct?

I'll send you a PM with details
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: TheDrunknmonky on November 10, 2008, 03:47:30 PM
just want to make sure i'm reading this correctly.. the kat shock is 3-4 inches of lift and a direct bolt on?
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 10, 2008, 05:06:49 PM
No, Buddha was saying that if you install the Kat shock it will raise the bike about 3/4 of an inch (while no one or no load is on it). But when you go to sit on it, it will 'sag' down but still be about 2inches higher than if you had sat down on your stock shock.
Hope that makes sense
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: TheDrunknmonky on November 10, 2008, 07:16:20 PM
ahh. so the gsxr and kat shocks are stiffer.. wouldn't that make for a less comfortable ride?
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 10, 2008, 09:24:28 PM
I don't know, it will definitly be higher rear end and less sagging down when you sit on it and if you get a passenger on there.
I just got the bike and I am DEFINITLY raising the rear end b/c it is too low and uncomfortable for me
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: Teek on November 10, 2008, 10:36:10 PM
I'm 150 all geared up, yes it's a harsher ride, even at the softest settings. But you will no longer bottom out in the rear. The advantage over stock besides strength is that they have adjustable damping via a knurled knob at the top of the shock; 4 click settings on the Katana. I put an '05 on my '01 moto, no problem. It was under an inch in height gain at the seat, but it was almost 3" or a tad over at the TOP of the very end of the TAIL.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: The Buddha on November 11, 2008, 09:28:59 AM
Quote from: TheDrunknmonky on November 10, 2008, 07:16:20 PM
ahh. so the gsxr and kat shocks are stiffer.. wouldn't that make for a less comfortable ride?

Actually yes they are stiffer, however if you have the weight to load them right, you will get a fully functioning shock ... with a GS if you load it to over 150 lbs of rider and gear you almost instantly lose the "shock" ... a adjustable shock that works right and is good for your weight will be a lot more comfortable than one that is under sprung and under damped. If you weigh 120-150 lbs stock will work fine. Then a GSXr will feel like a jack hammer. But get more weight and GS goes to the dogs.
Remember shocks are a compromise ... as are most other things ... you want to give up working well in one weight/road condition range and gain that function in a different set of circumstances. Like removing the counterbalancer in a race bike. Then they balance the crank assembly that it runs smooth in the 7500-10K range. It works for a race bike ... however it will be misery as a street bike. Somehtign like that with shocks too.
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: A_Steel_Horse on November 12, 2008, 09:14:02 AM
Does using a Katana/GSXR shock to raise the seat height also increase the distance from seat to foot peg? I want my legs to be less compressed.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: The Buddha on November 12, 2008, 09:59:41 AM
It wont affect the foot peg to butt distance that much. It only gives you the illusion that is does a little ... the seat angle changes ... gets steeper into the tank, you sit a shade further back and it feels like its longer to the pegs ... as in ... further back you sit, the longer it would be ... Sorta like putting the rear wheel on a thick 4 inch block of wood ...
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 12, 2008, 02:20:04 PM
Is there anyway to raise the distance from seating to foot pegs? I have same problem of compression of the legs...its not too bad, but it could be a lot more comfortable....would the riser links do it?
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: Bluesmudge on November 12, 2008, 03:43:41 PM
You can also buy after market foot pegs. The angle and the rubber of the stock one's keep your legs up pretty high. Some minimalist after-market pegs can give you an extra inch of leg room. Check the wiki.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: The Buddha on November 13, 2008, 08:13:56 AM
Yea ... buy a cruiser ... clowns ...  :flipoff:
Cool.
Buddha.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 13, 2008, 11:24:16 AM
You mean a Harley cruiser? those are ugly! sorry

Thanks for the tip on the pegs, the rubber does add height

Buddha, are you hooking up the rear shocks I wanted? I sent you a reply I beleive, I just need to figure out some things before I this thing, check my reply. Thanks bro
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 18, 2008, 08:39:45 AM
The riser links are like $30 shipped form a guy in Quebec off ebay.ca
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 25, 2008, 01:21:09 PM
This is not my beautiful bike, someone elses on the forum (nice tires, what size are those and how much $$?)

Can the rear sets be changed/modded so that the pegs sit lower OR a more aggressive peg position (ie. pushed back a bit and lowered)? Guess it depends on the rearset
I think it may be a problem on the rear brake (right) side since the lever is right under the peg...unless I'm wrong

Anyone have pics of upgraded rearsets?


Side note: Can the silver piece bolted on by 2 screws be changed to a nicer looking piece?

(http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k248/galahs/gs500f/gstwin_swingarm.jpg)
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: Paulcet on November 25, 2008, 04:03:23 PM
Quote from: vorBH on November 25, 2008, 01:21:09 PM
This is not my beautiful bike, someone elses on the forum (nice tires, what size are those and how much $$?)

Can the rear sets be changed/modded so that the pegs sit lower OR a more aggressive peg position (ie. pushed back a bit and lowered)?
<snip>
Anyone have pics of upgraded rearsets?


Here is a slide show (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v64/dgyver/97GS/?action=view&current=759275b6.pbw) on Photobucket of my bike before dgyver sold it to me.  There are a few close-ups of the custom rearsets in there.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 27, 2008, 06:57:20 PM
I like the piece changed to carbon fiber, where can I get that?....hypothetically, can't I just cut one out, make 2 holes and screw it on in place of stock one?

Whats that black padding around the rear taillight?

Also, I dont understand the rearset upgrade, mustve been huge b/c the stock gear stick comes out from the (clutch box is it?)....yours is totaly inverted the other side...
Could I get rearsets with pegs that sit lower for the GS500F (WITHOUT major mods lol)?
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: Paulcet on November 28, 2008, 09:57:53 AM
Yeah, the carbon fiber can be done pretty easily.  It's thin.  Search for "carbon fiber samples" on Google.

The black padding is body edge molding, I think.  Dgyver put it on.  Ping him for details.

The rearsets are REARsets.  They set the pegs back a bit.  If you just put on a longer gear lever, you would have to move it up and down a LONG way to change gears.  So, the gear selector lever had to be removed and replaced with a short arm which is attached to a long adjustable-length rod.  I have actually adjusted the length slightly because my right foot has some limited range up/down, and downshifts were difficult.  That rod is then connected to a gear selector lever whose pivot is coaxial with the foot peg.  Another advantage to this setup is that you can convert it to GP-style shifting.  Many of the parts came off of a GSXR, I believe.
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: vorBH on November 28, 2008, 01:07:15 PM
Wow thats alot of work for the peg, I'm glad it worked out for you, way to go! I just looked it more closely, looks great.

What does the black padding do around the taillight? Or should I contact Dgyver for full details?

Well, the gear lever would need be extended by like about 2 inches right? It makes that much of a huge difference to change gears? I just switched form CBR125 to the GS500F, I found that the GS500 immediately switches into the gear with barely any movement at stock....so a longer gear lever: how much exactly (if you know) you have push push up or down the gear lever to change gears?
Title: Re: Raising the rear end - Riser kit
Post by: Paulcet on November 28, 2008, 06:54:59 PM
The black padding is not really padding.  It is just a strip of black vinyl that covers the raw edge of the plastic body pieces.  It might be stock, for all I know.

As for the gear lever, I think it would make a difference, but it would be relative.  If the original lever is 6 inches and you add 2 inches, that's 33% more up/down movement for the same result.  I haven't ridden a stock GS500, so I don't know how my set up compares to yours.