Hi, has anybody got any experience on an early 90's CBR600 shock.

It mesures the correct size hole to hole (around 295mm) but is a bit bigger in diameter, i tried fitting it but had lots of trouble alligning it, it hits on the metal on the botom part ... any ideas ...?

Pavlos
--------------------------
GS500F Black ..
Bandit Shock
15t sprocket
140/70 B45

Come on, nobady has any experience or words of wisdom with a CBR600 shock ..?

It's in the middle of the night right now in the U.S., which is where most of the posters are.  Wait a few hours.

If I have to guess, it is because the shock has a short "neck".  You might have to grind off a little of the steel linkage at the bottom for it to fit.  Do a search on GSXR shock.

Cheers,
e.

Sorry didn't mean to offend ....

Pavlos

Quote from: Pavlos01Hi, has anybody got any experience on an early 90's CBR600 shock.

It mesures the correct size hole to hole (around 295mm) but is a bit bigger in diameter, i tried fitting it but had lots of trouble alligning it, it hits on the metal on the botom part ... any ideas ...?

Pavlos
--------------------------
GS500F Black ..
Bandit Shock
15t sprocket
140/70 B45

I do not want to sound like an ass but it is a Honda Shock that was designed to fit a Honda.  

The length from hole to hole is not the only issue when mounting a shock.  I do not know for sure but I would guess that Honda and Suzuki use a slightly different swingarm linkage and ratio which would make shocks from two different bike of the same length act differently.  

Also you want to take into account how much the shock piston moves in rlationship to the swingarm travel.  Some shock are designed with a very short travel and others have more travel and this is all based on the suspension ratio that Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha has designed into their bikes.  Also you need to take into account the spring-rate that each shocks spring is designed for otherwise you might be installing a shock with a very stiff or soft depending on the rate of the stock GS500 rear spring.  

Try and stick with Suzuki donor shocks since they were usually designed around a similar suspenion design and mounting points.  The spring-rate issue will be less of an issue and the diameter of the mounting holes might be the same.  The GSXR family of shocks and The Katana shocks seem to be good donors for the GS500.  Some of they shock will be a bit longer which will end up raising the rear of the GS about an inch but the spring rates and ease of mounting seem to be more in line.

OK that CBR shock is eyelet eyelet, the GS needls eyelet clevise.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: tkm433

Quote from: Pavlos01Hi, has anybody got any experience on an early 90's CBR600 shock.

It mesures the correct size hole to hole (around 295mm) but is a bit bigger in diameter, i tried fitting it but had lots of trouble alligning it, it hits on the metal on the botom part ... any ideas ...?

Pavlos
--------------------------
GS500F Black ..
Bandit Shock
15t sprocket
140/70 B45

I do not want to sound like an ass but it is a Honda Shock that was designed to fit a Honda.  

The length from hole to hole is not the only issue when mounting a shock.  I do not know for sure but I would guess that Honda and Suzuki use a slightly different swingarm linkage and ratio which would make shocks from two different bike of the same length act differently.  

Also you want to take into account how much the shock piston moves in rlationship to the swingarm travel.  Some shock are designed with a very short travel and others have more travel and this is all based on the suspension ratio that Honda, Suzuki, Yamaha has designed into their bikes.  Also you need to take into account the spring-rate that each shocks spring is designed for otherwise you might be installing a shock with a very stiff or soft depending on the rate of the stock GS500 rear spring.  

Try and stick with Suzuki donor shocks since they were usually designed around a similar suspenion design and mounting points.  The spring-rate issue will be less of an issue and the diameter of the mounting holes might be the same.  The GSXR family of shocks and The Katana shocks seem to be good donors for the GS500.  Some of they shock will be a bit longer which will end up raising the rear of the GS about an inch but the spring rates and ease of mounting seem to be more in line.

OK this is a freaking load of BS .... kawi EX500 shocks fit a GS just fine, the GS shocks fit kawi eliminators great ... yea that clevise on the bottom of the GS shock will fit on a eli 1000's lower shock bolt even though its shock is eyelet eyelet ... use the right sized sleeve as a spacer ... Cross brands Big f%$king deal ... all shocks are made by kayaba or Showa ... If the fittings look like they will work ... its all worth a try ... ride around and see if its OK, if its not OK toss it and go on to the next  ... The CBR one inparticular is just a bit too much work.
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: seshadri_srinath

OK this is a freaking load of BS .... kawi EX500 shocks fit a GS just fine, the GS shocks fit kawi eliminators great ... yea that clevise on the bottom of the GS shock will fit on a eli 1000's lower shock bolt even though its shock is eyelet eyelet ... use the right sized sleeve as a spacer ... Cross brands Big f%$king deal ... all shocks are made by kayaba or Showa ... If the fittings look like they will work ... its all worth a try ... ride around and see if its OK, if its not OK toss it and go on to the next  ... The CBR one inparticular is just a bit too much work.
Cool.
Srinath.

Yes, you can make anything fit but the question is will it work correctly once installed.  Will it make the bike ride better or worse than stock?  As you stated above and as I pointed out the Honda shock is not a good donor due to the work required.  Yes, it can be made to fit but again will it work?  "FIT" does not equal "WORKS"

You are still under the belief that Metric Bolts and SAE Bolts "FIT" in the same threaded hole so why not use them.

My personal view is to change something if the end product is better than what you started with in the first place and this concerns more than the issue of "fit" since there is the issue of function.  When it comes to suspension there are many variable to play which and "fit" is just the starting point.

Yes, I do think it is great to try different parts in order to hope to improve the quality and performance of our bikes but at some point I feel that we need to do some research into how things work before we attempt to change things such as suspension, carb settings, carb sizes, tire sizes and so on and that is where the internet, this site, and Google comes in handy to help us research stuff.  

You (Srinath) and I might never see eye to eye on some things and that in some ways is what makes this site cool in that we can post our views and allow others more possible approaches to their end goal such as this issue of the CBR shock.  I think we both answered this post and more or less came to the same conclusion that the CBR shock is not a good donor for a GS project.

something to consider......

the GS probably has a 350-450 # spring

if i remember correctly..... the WP hurricane shock i used to have had a 800-900 # spring

just because it fits don't mean it will work......

Quote from: tkm433

Quote from: seshadri_srinath

OK this is a freaking load of BS .... kawi EX500 shocks fit a GS just fine, the GS shocks fit kawi eliminators great ... yea that clevise on the bottom of the GS shock will fit on a eli 1000's lower shock bolt even though its shock is eyelet eyelet ... use the right sized sleeve as a spacer ... Cross brands Big f%$king deal ... all shocks are made by kayaba or Showa ... If the fittings look like they will work ... its all worth a try ... ride around and see if its OK, if its not OK toss it and go on to the next  ... The CBR one inparticular is just a bit too much work.
Cool.
Srinath.

You are still under the belief that Metric Bolts and SAE Bolts "FIT" in the same threaded hole so why not use them.

DIAF

Hey Tkm ... read my post.
I was  only talking about fit. The point was it will not fit due to eyelet eyelet. I never said work or anything similar ... fit is what is at a minimum you need. Once you fit it ... you would ride around on it and decide if it works for you or not. Whihc would be the definition of "Work" ... and I didn't say it will work ... I didn't say it wont work. I just said cross brand fitting is fine cos shocks are all made by different manufacturers ... Showa or kayaba ... You said that since its a Honda shock it wont fit a suzuki. I said Kawi shocks fit the GS and the GS shocks fit another kawi, and heck Honda shadow 1100 or valkyrie shocks fit an eli 1000 like a glove ... no mods or sleeve even needed.
BTW I didn't say SAE bolts fit a Metric thread. I said Machine thread bolts fit a Metric thread nut better than the metric bolts fit due to the fact that the Machine thread was better quality, better material and closer tolerance than the Metric available at my Home depot. Read what I said before jumping to a conclusion.
Cool.
Srinath.

What is DIAF?

also, tkm... it's obvious you and srinath don't agree on fastener chioces, but do you need to keep bringing it up on every thread that he posts in?

Pavlos01, I'd suggest you try to trade your cbr shock for a katana one. Every one seems to agree that the katana shock is a) easy to fit    b)a tried and true upgrade.
Also, the age of your donor shock is worrisome. Wouldn't it suck if you went thru all that work to fit it, and the dampening effect was worse, due to it being so old/worn? just my humble opinion....

Quote from: se7enty7


DIAF

I give up ... What is DIAF ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Dominant Introverted Abstract Feeler?

:lol:       :lol:  :lol:

Hi, thanks for all the info ...

The issue is that I have found a guy that imports used parts from JP and has no clue what they come from, so he is like you need shock here are a couple hundred used take what you need ... so I have to figure out what they came from ....

Now re the CBR
I have tryied and looks like I need to remove a big chunk of metal to make it work ... so will give it back ..

Nevertheless I had success with the bandit shock, the only thing is that it feels quite loose ... would prefer something stiffer..

Unfortunately the GSX600F (katana) or 750 didn't really sell much down here so its preaty difficult to get any shocks .....

Anyway will have to do with the bandit one for now...

Thanks
Pavlos

Well B6 shocks aren't that good A B12 however is just about perfect. So what Bandit is that shock from ... if its a 600, swap it for the 1200 one.
If GSXR's are available get one from a 90-95 750 or a 90-98 1100 shock. they are both great shocks even if they are a little stiff for the street ... but if you think a Bandit 6's shock is not stiff ... those might be fine.
Cool.
Srinath.

Judging by the context, I'd say: DIAF

"Don't Initiate A Fight", but that could be out of left field.

Quote from: Jake DJudging by the context, I'd say: DIAF

"Don't Initiate A Fight", but that could be out of left field.

Die In A Fire

Oh that was funny ...
There is an expression In Hindi that compares to this ... Its like "may you get washed away in a flood" or some like that ...
I try to take it positively ... He just said Machine thread (OK he said SAE) is wrong for it ... and he was basically trying to get me to buy Higher quality metric bolts ... The Lowes/HD metric stuff is total crap, they have better Machine thread and it was fitting better than the right metric stuff, I really didn't say SAE threads belong in a metric hole, I said The Machine thread fit and measured and worked better than Metric ... so I used it ... for 6 + years in mine before I fitted other peoples bikes. Now Of course I could buy a Box of 100 bolts that prolly may cost me 2X the cost of the Home depot SS stuff ... and I probably should start charging more for the work to cover it ... I dunno ... there is a price point ... You dont want a $1500 set of wheels on a $700 bike ... sorta ... I dont actually do enough carbs to justify a block of 100 ... I dont want to buy bolts for the next 4 years ... So I just said anyone wanting differnt bolts send it along with carbs ... Somehitng good would come from it I thought.
Shocks ... slightly different story. If the CBR shock will fit the first thing I'd do is bolt it on and ride around the block ... if that feels good, then try a ride to work ... if that is good then try it across the state or Fine Ride to werase's house and have him ride the bike ... Then I'll post here syaing its great ... They put very generic stuff on all the bikes ... whihc is actually why jap bikes are so cheap ... they share levers, alternator pieces, switches, many many many bolts, and in many cases wheels and discs and of course suspension bits ... Its not a permanent change ... put it on. ride it, dont like it toss it ... I'd then post here saying I did this and it didn't feel right ... so someone else doesn't get disappointed ... Saying its a Honda and hence you shouldn't use it ... that's just being blind to the fact that these are generic as can be ...
Cool.
Srinath.

Quote from: seshadri_srinathOh that was funny ...
There is an expression In Hindi that compares to this ... Its like "may you get washed away in a flood" or some like that ...
I try to take it positively ... He just said Machine thread (OK he said SAE) is wrong for it ... and he was basically trying to get me to buy Higher quality metric bolts ... The Lowes/HD metric stuff is total crap, they have better Machine thread and it was fitting better than the right metric stuff, I really didn't say SAE threads belong in a metric hole, I said The Machine thread fit and measured and worked better than Metric ... so I used it ... for 6 + years in mine before I fitted other peoples bikes. Now Of course I could buy a Box of 100 bolts that prolly may cost me 2X the cost of the Home depot SS stuff ... and I probably should start charging more for the work to cover it ... I dunno ... there is a price point ... You dont want a $1500 set of wheels on a $700 bike ... sorta ... I dont actually do enough carbs to justify a block of 100 ... I dont want to buy bolts for the next 4 years ... So I just said anyone wanting differnt bolts send it along with carbs ... Somehitng good would come from it I thought.
Shocks ... slightly different story. If the CBR shock will fit the first thing I'd do is bolt it on and ride around the block ... if that feels good, then try a ride to work ... if that is good then try it across the state or Fine Ride to werase's house and have him ride the bike ... Then I'll post here syaing its great ... They put very generic stuff on all the bikes ... whihc is actually why jap bikes are so cheap ... they share levers, alternator pieces, switches, many many many bolts, and in many cases wheels and discs and of course suspension bits ... Its not a permanent change ... put it on. ride it, dont like it toss it ... I'd then post here saying I did this and it didn't feel right ... so someone else doesn't get disappointed ... Saying its a Honda and hence you shouldn't use it ... that's just being blind to the fact that these are generic as can be ...
Cool.
Srinath.

what irritates me is that THIS WAS SETTLED.  He comes into just about any thread you post in, acting like you're trying to make a buck from this....  he doesn't get it... that you AREN'T making money on this.  That you're saving US money, because the bolts you use work fine.  I have them, I've toyed with them and with the 'correct' size and they are the same. same play when nearly screwed in, and if you hold the threads together NO light shows through