GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

LOVE it!
makes it ride so much better, w/o making it to stiff,
this shock matched w/ the progressive frons make a very well ballanced setup
very easy install
difference is huge
:)

I agree.

I got the Kat 750 shock (basically same as 600 cept with remote rebound) and it made a BIG difference for the better.  I love it and would surely do it again

Hi guys ... I have seen a few posts about Kat shocks and I think it's a cool mod that I would like to do.  What year Katana shock did you guys use and where did you get them from?  I have an '89 Katana 750 as well as a GS.  The Kat shock has 3 settings for damping force.  Does yours have this feature?

Rob

93, and yes it has 3 rebound settings, along w/ the usual spanner adjustments

I did a small how-to on it but it is not well organised
The tutorial
http://johnla2.tripod.com/shkmd01.html
The years that work
http://johnla2.tripod.com/shkmd02.html

Thanks!!   :thumb:

Hey thats some good info!! Ive got a question tho..

I want to raise the back of the GS a lot more than it is.. i hate how low it looks.. (1991).. So, what shock should i get? A long clevise is obviously longer right? And since i have a 91, will any shock just bolt right in? I dont wanna have to grind at all.

Thanks! :cheers:

Long clevise is obviously longer...... Ummmmm no...
The Bolt hole to bolt hole length of the short or long clevise seem to be the same. The clevise being longer makes it easier to bolt in to the non alloy linkage GS. But its Body (fluid column) is just that little bit shorter so bolt to bolt its the same length.
Cool.
Srinath.

I'm installing mine tomorrow I'll check out your how-to

Quote from: RashadSo, what shock should i get? ... will any shock just bolt right in? I dont wanna have to grind at all.

Rashad,
In addition to doing a search here (this is a widely discussed topic) you could check out my site. I have into on shocks there.

The kat shock is the most common way to go these days and is readily availabe. I had a 2001 kat shock on mine (now with JohNLA) and he said that raised the end up about 1" or a little less. My gsxr shock easily brought the back up 1" or a little more. Why would you want to go higher? The point is better handling, not Bling with the end result being worse handling (higher rear affects front twitchiness/eagerness to turn in).

Quote from: pantablo

Quote from: RashadSo, what shock should i get? ... will any shock just bolt right in? I dont wanna have to grind at all.

Rashad,
In addition to doing a search here (this is a widely discussed topic) you could check out my site. I have into on shocks there.

The kat shock is the most common way to go these days and is readily availabe. I had a 2001 kat shock on mine (now with JohNLA) and he said that raised the end up about 1" or a little less. My gsxr shock easily brought the back up 1" or a little more. Why would you want to go higher? The point is better handling, not Bling with the end result being worse handling (higher rear affects front twitchiness/eagerness to turn in).

Pablo, thanks for the info..

Well, i didnt search because i have.... and have never gotten a comparison of all the shocks and which one would give the most lift, hence my question. Also, checked your site, but didnt find too much info on which ones work without grinding..

Keep in mind, my gs is probably gonne be either a stunt bike or streetfighter next year.. which is why im looking at raising up the back end..

Also, the newer gs's look much nicer, and the rear looks waaay higher up.. maybe its the plastic.. i dunno.

But thanks :thumb:

its the plastic.

search for sv650 shock install-that raises the rear a good 2" but the person who installed it cut the clevis to bring it down to 1" Kat fits no grinding, most others may or may not-not sure really. GSXR for sure grinding (except for 89-90 models with aluminum shock linkage-then any shock pretty much fits without grinding)

Almost any shock.

Quote from: pantabloits the plastic.

search for sv650 shock install-that raises the rear a good 2" but the person who installed it cut the clevis to bring it down to 1" Kat fits no grinding, most others may or may not-not sure really. GSXR for sure grinding (except for 89-90 models with aluminum shock linkage-then any shock pretty much fits without grinding)

Almost any shock.

I thought it was the pre 96 models that fell into the "universal shock fit" category? :?

Cool new avatar, Rashad!  :thumb:

Quote from: CrisCool new avatar, Rashad!  :thumb:

Thanks, hun! :thumb:

;)

Quote from: RashadI thought it was the pre 96 models that fell into the "universal shock fit" category? :?

Nope. 89-90 had the aluminum shock linkage. the rest of the years have the steel one that requires grinding...Unless you're talking Kat shock-that bolts right in any year.