i am looking at a rear suspension lift, apprently it inproves handling,
gives better feedback from the rear suspension, and less kick back
does it all ring true with you guys or am i alone on this,
i tryed a search but cant find any one who has done it,
let me know, if not , i spose ill let you know if its worth it or not
cheers

Just replace the rear shock. One from a Katana is a straight bolt on. You should probably do the front suspension at the same time. It really helps a lot.

and it will raise it an inch or 2

Dude, I did it! 

I am not sure if a Katana shock will raise it that much, but I know for a fact that an SV shock will.

I bought a 2003 SV 650 rear shock on flea-bay for like $15.  It was sort of a pain to put in, but I love how it looks and I love how it rides.

Be warned: the sidestand is going to be a little too short now.  You may want to read up on the install on Pantablo's website.  He actually lengthened his kickstand, which I may do.  It still works, but the bike leans over pretty far.  The center stand no longer works.

The new shock raised the bike at least an inch, maybe two.  You have to take the seat, rear plastics, and inner fender off.  Then take off the old rear shock.  Be careful!  When you take the rear shock out, the whole bike will drop down to its belly, like a scared deer. 

Getting the SV shock in is a pain.  Drop it in straight from the top and get the bottom bolt slid into the linkage.  You're going to have to compress the shock a bit to get the top bolt in.  About a half an inch.  Which is harder than it sounds.  Me and my dad eventually ended up doing it with a big ass flat head screw driver.  There is a cup around the top of the shock mount.  Get the top of the shock near that cupped area.  Have somebody ready to slide the bolt in.  Then take the screw driver and wedge it under the cup and on top of the shock's top mount.  When you lever the screw driver down it will push down on the top of the shock and compress it.  It helps if somebody is pushind down really hard on the rear end, too, compressing the shock even further.  You get that top bolt slid in and you're golden.

good luck!

Jake D

I have an SV shock for sale in this post:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23960.0

If you are interested in it. Just let me know!

BTW Katana does not raise it all, just straight bolt in.

Set-up your suspension: www.peterverdonedesigns.com/introduction.htm

Quote from: Destro on February 15, 2006, 11:05:21 AM
I have an SV shock for sale in this post:
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=23960.0

If you are interested in it. Just let me know!

BTW Katana does not raise it all, just straight bolt in.

Destro! What up bro?  My bike is done and it now has a Wileyco, (aforementioned SV shock) and a custom carbon fiber race tail! 

Why don't you put that shock on your bike?  It is a sweet mod.

Tried, but I have no helping hands! 
I just bought a Katana rear and put it on Monday, hence I am selling the rest!  It makes a huge difference! Much more solid and it actually lessens the load on the front end.  I went ahead and ordered some progressive springs yesterday to complete the upgrades. 
I wish someone could use a gsxr600 shock as it is very trick.  Full adjustability, about the same length as a SV650 shock, unfortunately I have neither the tools or the fabrication experience to make it work.

Where you headed for vacation?

gixxer 600 01-03 shock  1.5 inches over stock w/ 130/70r17  bt45  2.5" over with a 130/90

That's exactly the shock that I have! See I knew it could be done... good thing this badkarma fella arrived to prove it.    Too bad the wall of fame doesn't work or I could link to the photos done by a previous member. 

I'm going to Copper Mountain.  So stoked!

Here is a picture of my GS (pre race tail) with the SV shock. Notice the board under the kickstand.  This thing is tall!

You also have that huge /90 series tire on there, too!

Quote from: Jake D on February 15, 2006, 10:10:11 AM
Dude, I did it! 

I am not sure if a Katana shock will raise it that much, but I know for a fact that an SV shock will.

I bought a 2003 SV 650 rear shock on flea-bay for like $15.  It was sort of a pain to put in, but I love how it looks and I love how it rides.

Be warned: the sidestand is going to be a little too short now.  You may want to read up on the install on Pantablo's website.  He actually lengthened his kickstand, which I may do.  It still works, but the bike leans over pretty far.  The center stand no longer works.

The new shock raised the bike at least an inch, maybe two.  You have to take the seat, rear plastics, and inner fender off.  Then take off the old rear shock.  Be careful!  When you take the rear shock out, the whole bike will drop down to its belly, like a scared deer. 

Getting the SV shock in is a pain.  Drop it in straight from the top and get the bottom bolt slid into the linkage.  You're going to have to compress the shock a bit to get the top bolt in.  About a half an inch.  Which is harder than it sounds.  Me and my dad eventually ended up doing it with a big ass flat head screw driver.  There is a cup around the top of the shock mount.  Get the top of the shock near that cupped area.  Have somebody ready to slide the bolt in.  Then take the screw driver and wedge it under the cup and on top of the shock's top mount.  When you lever the screw driver down it will push down on the top of the shock and compress it.  It helps if somebody is pushind down really hard on the rear end, too, compressing the shock even further.  You get that top bolt slid in and you're golden.

good luck!

Jake D

First of all, if you put a jack under the swing arm pivot, you can lift the bike with a jack and extend the swing arm so you don't have to compress the shock.  Second, a Katana shock is better than the SV shock, because it has adjustable rebound.

That 90 series tire doesn't help!  It is next to go.  I am 6'1" and I have to be careful not to tear the crotch out of my pants just stepping over it.

I acutally put a bunch of wood under the center stand during the install.  The rear tire was at full droop and dangled as far down as it could and I still needed to compress the shock.

You might be right about the Katana shock.  It might be better.  The idea of raising the rear was attractive to me and I knew I could get that with the SV shock (and not the Katana shock).  So I went with that.  Good points, all around! 

Quote from: badkarma506 on February 15, 2006, 01:05:17 PM
gixxer 600 01-03 shock  1.5 inches over stock w/ 130/70r17  bt45  2.5" over with a 130/90

WELCOME BACK GUY!!!

Wow cheers for all the help, i think i will go for the sv650 shock, i think that'll probly be the best option.

considering how mushy my back suspension was, the katana shock lifted up the rear. sits different on the side stand, but no need to modify it at all. but i bet the sv650 shock is going to be better.
just shove a penske or ohlins in there