GStwin.com GS500 Message Forum

Main Area => General GS500 Discussion => Topic started by: Donny on September 02, 2013, 08:04:19 AM

Title: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: Donny on September 02, 2013, 08:04:19 AM
Newb question here..... How do you adjust the rear adjuster on the shock spring? 
Title: Re: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: 007brendan on September 02, 2013, 10:29:37 AM
There should be a tool in your tool kit that fits into the slots on the bottom of the shock. There are instructions in the owners manual.
Title: Re: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: JAS6377 on September 02, 2013, 12:47:49 PM
Your Motorcycle Owner's Manual should give you a good idea of what's going on. (When in doubt, ask MOM!)

But, just for shiggles, here are a couple of pics to help you out.   :thumb:

The shock and the tool:
(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o681/JAS6377/Shock_Tool_zps975cce12.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/JAS6377/media/Shock_Tool_zps975cce12.jpg.html)

The tool being used on the shock to adjust spring preload:
(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o681/JAS6377/Shock_Adjust_zps5394952c.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/JAS6377/media/Shock_Adjust_zps5394952c.jpg.html)

And, if you can see this on your bike, this little nub will tell you what preload setting you're on:
(http://i1338.photobucket.com/albums/o681/JAS6377/Shock_Preload_zpsebf941b8.jpg) (http://s1338.photobucket.com/user/JAS6377/media/Shock_Preload_zpsebf941b8.jpg.html)

You can do this with the shock still on the bike, obviously... I just had my stocker lying around in my parts cache after an R6 shock conversion.
Title: Re: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: hedgehog88 on September 04, 2013, 08:18:13 PM
JAS6377, how much height does an R6 shock conversion give you? Or is the conversion based solely on stiffness? I'm 5'8 and both my feet can plant firmly on the ground with slight bend to my knees. I'm looking for something that can give me some height.
Title: Re: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: BockinBboy on September 04, 2013, 09:02:39 PM
R6 shock swap won't change the height. The only shock swap I'm aware of that will change height is the sv650 shock swap... And that raises it an inch or so IIRC. Although, you really have to be careful with raising the rear much, as that will affect your rake angle on the front end.

- Bboy
Title: Re: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: JAS6377 on September 04, 2013, 09:09:22 PM
Yeah. The R6 swap is just for stiffness. The seat height remains unchanged, as BBoy said.

As for the SV650 swap, I wonder if you could do the shock swap, then get 1/2" lowering links for a net change of stiffer shock and an extra 1/2" of height. That shouldn't change the rake too badly, I wouldn't think.
Title: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: BockinBboy on September 04, 2013, 09:15:37 PM
Yeah, I was gonna mention that route for the 650 shock... Didnt want to get lost in details from a post on my phone lol. Some logistics and workarounds  to think about there for sure though.

Guess ill go ahead and add that you can drill another hole in the clevis mount of the 650 shock and cut the extra off to get a more custom height on the shock. The clevis mount on the bottom of the 650 shock is just longer than the other known shocks we swap on the gs500

- Bboy
Title: Re: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: JAS6377 on September 04, 2013, 09:34:50 PM
Oh yeah. I forgot about drilling out the clevis. That would probably be cheaper and easier lol.
Title: Re: Rear shock adjustment.
Post by: Janx101 on September 04, 2013, 09:51:13 PM
looking forward to the simple 'plug and play' functionality of putting my '00 Katana 600 shock in this weekend !!  :bowdown: