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Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: cbcanada on June 04, 2012, 09:46:02 AM

Title: just intalled katana shock, help needed
Post by: cbcanada on June 04, 2012, 09:46:02 AM
okay so i just put the katana shock on my bike and i am trying to access it with specialty wrench from the tool kit. but having difficulties.

should i have adjusted before i installed?

is there a trick to adjusting after install?

i am 185 pounds and just ride normal street use? what should i set it to?

thanks
Title: Re: just intalled katana shock, help needed
Post by: Bluesmudge on June 04, 2012, 10:12:23 AM
Never had any trouble, it should work the same as the stock shock. Did you ever change the pre-load on the stock shock?

for normal street use I would set the damping to its lowest setting (1).

For pre-load...  :dunno_black:  try different settings and find one that works. Or actually measure and set the sag properly if you have a second set of hands to help you out.
Title: Re: just intalled katana shock, help needed
Post by: MVent03 on June 04, 2012, 11:03:14 AM
I have a katana 600 shock and is a huge pain to adjust. It gets harder and harder the more preload you add too.  I have to alternately approach the collar from both sides to adjust. Sometimes I'm getting just half a click from one side then I've got to switch to the other to finish it out.

Definitely have to get more leverage than the wrench gives you.
Title: Re: just intalled katana shock, help needed
Post by: Tombstones81 on June 04, 2012, 11:06:05 AM
Put an 89 Kat600 rear shock on mine over the winter.

didnt and dont have the adjusting tool.

So I just used a good ft and a half long flat head screwdriver.

Yeah it was a real paint to turn but got it adjusted fine.
Title: just intalled katana shock, help needed
Post by: cbcanada on June 06, 2012, 01:24:56 PM
okay so since i put new shock on i have noticed something. the bike is harder to lean into right hand corners just feels stiffer, left corners ok same

is this because i have stiffer shock i feel more input and perhaps my rear tire is not worn in properly

or

is cuz i also changed my front sprocket to 15t and left same chain so now i have longer wheel base but then i would feel on both turns not just one right?
Title: Re: just intalled katana shock, help needed
Post by: jestercinti on June 06, 2012, 02:55:22 PM
Quote from: cbcanada on June 06, 2012, 01:24:56 PM
okay so since i put new shock on i have noticed something. the bike is harder to lean into right hand corners just feels stiffer, left corners ok same

is this because i have stiffer shock i feel more input and perhaps my rear tire is not worn in properly

or

is cuz i also changed my front sprocket to 15t and left same chain so now i have longer wheel base but then i would feel on both turns not just one right?

The a$$ end of the Katana is heavier, therefore the shock is stiffer.  I noticed this right away.  I ride a short stretch of Interstate highway with frost heaves.  With the stock shock, I felt it.  With the Katana shock, I jump out of my seat.  Although it's stiffer, I find that the Katana shock is better.

EDIT:  That explains the stiffness, but not the stiffness on one side.  Is your sag set properly?
Title: just intalled katana shock, help needed
Post by: cbcanada on June 06, 2012, 04:23:13 PM
Quote from: jestercinti on June 06, 2012, 02:55:22 PM
Quote from: cbcanada on June 06, 2012, 01:24:56 PM
okay so since i put new shock on i have noticed something. the bike is harder to lean into right hand corners just feels stiffer, left corners ok same

is this because i have stiffer shock i feel more input and perhaps my rear tire is not worn in properly

or

is cuz i also changed my front sprocket to 15t and left same chain so now i have longer wheel base but then i would feel on both turns not just one right?

The a$$ end of the Katana is heavier, therefore the shock is stiffer.  I noticed this right away.  I ride a short stretch of Interstate highway with frost heaves.  With the stock shock, I felt it.  With the Katana shock, I jump out of my seat.  Although it's stiffer, I find that the Katana shock is better.

EDIT:  That explains the stiffness, but not the stiffness on one side.  Is your sag set properly?

the dampener is 4 and the preload is 4

its stiff when i sit there is no sag.

but the only thing i can think i uneven ware on the back tire?
Title: Re: just intalled katana shock, help needed
Post by: CndnMax on June 08, 2012, 10:06:14 PM
I think I had to unbolt one of the dog bones to get the wrench in there.