So im going to install a katana shock tonight. What's the easiest way to do it?  When I swap my rear tire I push my tire against a  wall, I  have anchor bolts it the wall, I put tie downs on the bars and  I am able to lift the rear without having to use a front stand or center stand. Will this method work to swap the shock?

I just did mine last week too.....The easiest way is to take it out from the bottom, and to get to the top nut of the shock, you need a U-joint extention, if you don't have one, then you probably have to go through the top and remove the tank and the air box.

You don't need a U joint extension....

Notice this plug on the side, remove it...




Tada.

Dan

so were you able to just do it on the center stand. Was too cold last night going to do it today.

just finished installing it.

feels good so far. I only went for a short ride because its cold out and I got the flu.

Did it raise the bike? rear end? seating area?

Quote from: vorBH on December 20, 2008, 06:43:04 PM
Did it raise the bike? rear end? seating area?

without me on the bike is maybe 1/2 higher. when I sit on the bike there is less sag. much more adjusatabilty. seems smoother.

ok cool, because Im going to be doing the GSXR rear shock upgrade

Quote from: Danny500 on December 20, 2008, 10:09:39 AM
You don't need a U joint extension....

Notice this plug on the side, remove it...




Tada.

Dan

Actually the reason for mine, with using the U-joint extension, mine is a California smog bike, so I still have all my smog equipment hooked up, so it's kinda hard to get a open end wrench on the other side of the top shock bolt.

how tight did you guys go on the bolts?

I think it's supposed to be 18-25 ft. lbs... it's in the wiki.

Dan

When I did my Katana shock swap it took me longer to unwrap the shock from the shipper, Major change in the handling, fills like a totally different bike in a good way !!!