GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: pliskin on September 07, 2012, 08:41:00 PM

Title: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: pliskin on September 07, 2012, 08:41:00 PM
My bike, a stock 06 I picked up with 4500miles back in February, in perfect condition.
Note: Pictures are not in order
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0397.jpg)
The bottom shock bolt collars. Yamaha (left) and stock (right). I ordered the Yamaha collar from the dealer for $7.50. You need the Yamaha bolt and collar which will fit right into the stock pivot.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0399.jpg)
Yamaha R6 shock with the stock one
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0400.jpg)
See how the Yamaha collar fits right in. The stock collar shown on left
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0402.jpg)
Stock pivot with the R6 shock installed.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0410.jpg)
06 and 89 pivot glam shots
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0418.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0419.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0420.jpg)
The aluminum pivot is almost 1lb (pound) lighter for those who want to know. Gotta be worth 2-3mph ;)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0421.jpg)
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0422.jpg)
The money shot
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0424.jpg)
Here is a Sonic .85 with spacer (bottom) next to the stock 06 spring and spacer, uncut. I cut the sonic spacer so the spring and spacer together where about 1/2inch shorter than the stock setup.
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d167/ironhse/CIMG0393.jpg)

Total cost:
-Sonic Sprints .85's $90
-R6 shock From a tip here. (Someone here found it on another forum and I got it). $25
-R6 bolt collar from dealer $7.50.
-89 pivot (knuckle) from, in my opinion, the #1 member here (you know who you are). $25
-total shipping about $20
-Total $167.50

Other stuff:
Valve job with new gaskets $230
Rear tire $95

I did the front and back upgrades separately. So I can't comment on how much better they where at the same time. I did the front first and that cured the front end dive. After I installed both the bike feel much better in all areas. Braking, corners, and bumps. Together they smooth out the ride and makes it stiffer when you need it. I would rate the difficulty level at 4.5 out of 10. Would have rated it 3 out of 10 if it where not for the fact I had to grind the swing arm a little to fit the R6 shock and for the trouble I had getting the caps back on the front shocks (was a little tricky).

Title: Re: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: codajastal on September 07, 2012, 08:47:20 PM
What did you use to clean the dog bone from adidasguy cause it looks smashing :thumb:
Title: Re: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: pliskin on September 07, 2012, 09:01:44 PM
I used a rag to get the dirt and grime off. Then I gave it a quick once over with a piece of fine sandpaper. Finished it up with a polish with Brasso metal polish. I sprayed it with clear coat to protect. It looked even better before I sprayed it with the clear coat.
Title: Re: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: weedahoe on September 07, 2012, 09:22:11 PM
Man thats just phreaking killer because I installed mine today too!  :woohoo:

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53366.msg719386#msg719386

(https://v3q1yw.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pHSft6N4StoBrUaVXFJI_tAGpiJo3hznFuD4GG79WgWVHFTHw7vHlozWbTw5T_4KAmDaF57UeHIVn_8D_y_sQjiHcafNCifNQ/2012-09-07_19-42-00_967.jpg?psid=1)
Title: Re: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: codajastal on September 07, 2012, 09:26:47 PM
Quote from: pliskin on September 07, 2012, 09:01:44 PM
I used a rag to get the dirt and grime off. Then I gave it a quick once over with a piece of fine sandpaper. Finished it up with a polish with Brasso metal polish. I sprayed it with clear coat to protect. It looked even better before I sprayed it with the clear coat.

Cool, I think I will pull both mine out and give them a polish. :thumb:
Title: Re: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: pliskin on September 07, 2012, 09:29:48 PM
Dammit, now I need dog bones like that. Will it ever end? Where did you get those?
Title: Re: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: codajastal on September 07, 2012, 09:36:21 PM
Quote from: pliskin on September 07, 2012, 09:29:48 PM
Dammit, now I need dog bones like that. Will it ever end? Where did you get those?
Mine came factory fitted with my bikes but the others on here had to get them aftermarket from someone like adidasguy or off ebay :thumb:
Theres a couple on ebay now.
Title: Re: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: weedahoe on September 07, 2012, 09:41:08 PM
Yeah, mine came with my bike too. There are many different kinds on ebay. I was going to powder coat mine today but being they are aluminum, I hit them with a SOS pad and cleaned them up and put them back on.
Title: Re: Complete Suspension Upgrade
Post by: weedahoe on September 07, 2012, 09:42:59 PM
These would look KILLER with your red spring

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SUZUKI-GSXR1000-2005-GSXR1000-2006-LOWERING-LINKS-GS500-SPORT-BIKE-LINKS-/251129125740?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a78765b6c&vxp=mtr

(http://i.ebayimg.com/t/SUZUKI-GSXR1000-2005-GSXR1000-2006-LOWERING-LINKS-GS500-SPORT-BIKE-LINKS-/00/$(KGrHqN,!hcE1hm)HF8yBN,M3MG2f!~~_12.JPG)