Did the swap, first off it wasn't as easy as the Wiki had made it seem.

Problems:
1. Even though I chopped the old holes and drilled new ones, I still needed to grind the mounting fork so that it would clear the bracket.

2. In order to get the dog-bones to mount correctly I had to jack up the bottom of the shock to align the holes.

3. Once it was installed, the center-stand became more like a 3rd leg... both tires stay on the ground and the bike kinda 'teeters' on the center stand from side-to-side.

4. The lean is REALLY steep, not steep enough to merit worry of a tip over, but i may need to elongate the side stand.

5. Had to grind a tad bit of my front sprocket case in order for the chain to clear without rubbing.

Improvements:
1. Ride height is PERFECT! It added about 3-4 inches of distance between the tail and top of the tire so now I almost have to tip-toe at stops: w/ a 32" inseam.

2. Handling is AMAZING, it feels more nimble and smoother in turns. Figure 8's are a breeze now where as before I would have to jockey the handebars a bunch.

3. Over-all acceleration seems to have improved as well... I'm not sure if this is just my imagination, but it seems to get up and go.. but it may be my new position in the seat and over the bars.

Not a bad mod at all.

Dan

Pictures!

Quote from: SecondsFromTheFall on September 30, 2008, 05:39:04 PM
Pictures!

In the AM!

Dan

That is why the katana shocks are just about the best ... they do the exact sme thing but without any of the pain ... plus they have rebound adjustment ...
Cool.
Buddha.

I was almost going to go with the GSXR shock (cuz believe it or not they're cheaper used than the SV shock was) but thought to try it out with the SV first.

I really do love it, I want to get some clubman bars or something now to complete the lean.

Dan

Cant wait for pics. 

So u like the tip toe action better than resting full footed?  I find more control with a lower seat.....

Quote from: Danny500 on September 30, 2008, 07:55:01 PM
I was almost going to go with the GSXR shock (cuz believe it or not they're cheaper used than the SV shock was) but thought to try it out with the SV first.

I really do love it, I want to get some clubman bars or something now to complete the lean.

Dan

GSXR shocks too you need to get 90-95 750 or a 91-98 1100 ... the 96+ 750's and 97+600's and 1000's are all non useable without hacking the whole rear end off.
Just because its a GSXR shock isn't any reason to get excited, you may not be able to fit it without hacking 1/2 the rear end off.
Even the 750 ones, 90-93 is much better than 94 and 95.
SV shock does not have rebound adjustment so its anyway just a stiffer spring and not much else. If that is what you wanted, getting a Bandit 600 shock will do that trick without any of the problems you had. Straight bolt in and it will work just like a sv one after you drill, cut grind and mess away with the SV shock.
Cool.
Buddha.

Nice info, I think I'm pretty happy thus-far... maybe something to tinker with in the future. I ride 2 up sometimes and the SV shock works very very well.. that and I never liked the over-all appearance of the GS stance to begin with, having the bars, tank and grab rail all at the same level..

At least now it has a bit of a stance to it and doesn't sag nearly as much with my 220lb butt on the seat.

Another small complaint I've noticed after riding a bit is just changing my seating position... Back when I started riding this bike I got WICKED arm pump and strain from putting the majority of my weight on the bars, having my arms rigid, and death-gripping the bars. I find that after growing out of that and actually becoming comfortable, I'm back to the 'stress' position again.

I know it'll just take a bit to find a new, comfier position with the suspension. I just hate gripping the tank with my knees in order to take stress off my arms... This mainly happens because I ride the highway a lot and like to keep my butt far back on the seat... I dunno. I'll figure it out.. lol. 

Dan

PS! Pictures tomorrow, hopefully... I'm going up to NH and will bring my camera. Should be nice and.. leafy? 

Dan

Quote from: Domindart on September 30, 2008, 09:51:24 PM
Cant wait for pics. 

So u like the tip toe action better than resting full footed?  I find more control with a lower seat.....

It's not bad if I slide down to the tank at stops, 3/4 footed at least. What kind of control do you need at a stop light? Not tip over? Lol. It's soo much better out on the road though, twisties are NOTHING now... it's almost kinda scary because I was able to lean harder into a turn at higher speed without feeling like I was going to back off the throttle and stand up the bike.

Dan

Quote from: Danny500 on October 01, 2008, 09:02:55 PM

Quote from: Domindart on September 30, 2008, 09:51:24 PM
Cant wait for pics. 

So u like the tip toe action better than resting full footed?  I find more control with a lower seat.....

It's not bad if I slide down to the tank at stops, 3/4 footed at least. What kind of control do you need at a stop light? Not tip over? Lol. It's soo much better out on the road though, twisties are NOTHING now... it's almost kinda scary because I was able to lean harder into a turn at higher speed without feeling like I had to back off the throttle and stand up the bike.

Dan

Quote
3. Over-all acceleration seems to have improved as well... I'm not sure if this is just my imagination, but it seems to get up and go..

If its not your imagination, what would it be? A different shock will make your bike go faster just like different colour underwear will. 

Quote from: the mole on October 02, 2008, 06:09:53 AM

Quote
3. Over-all acceleration seems to have improved as well... I'm not sure if this is just my imagination, but it seems to get up and go..

If its not your imagination, what would it be? A different shock will make your bike go faster just like different colour underwear will. 

See, and all this time I thought it was because I actually STARTED wearing underwear that made it faster... sheesh. Who knew color affected this as well...

I must research this more... 

Dan

hey dan im very excited to see pics on this as im also wanting to jack the back end up! i dont know alot about bikes and which parts to look for
so lots of info will help me
if you can have you got befor and after pics?

blueink

Here's a pic for now, daylight ones to come tomorrow. WAY HIGHER than stock!



Dan

very nice dan it looks awsome cant wait to see better pics in daylight and before and after pics

and i have to say your bike is like uber clean!

blueink

Here's a couple good ones that you can see.






Dan

very nice dan looks awsome how high of a lift have you accieved??

blueink

Damn that does look nice. I wish I was tall enough to ride mine like that. 

Looks a bit more "off road worthy" 

Very nice. I think I will add one to my project GS 

Quote from: scottpA_GS on October 05, 2008, 07:55:25 AM
Looks a bit more "off road worthy" 

Very nice. I think I will add one to my project GS 

It's more 2-up worthy now, I'll tell you that much. I don't even notice a passenger anymore. That, and I want to do some sonic-springs up front and possibly raise up the forks a little bit (drop the fork tubes down) and get it a tad more travel just for that reason. Handling dirt/cart roads a little better.

Dan