I've searched, and couldn't find the answer too my exact question.  I want to raise the rear of my bike, like around 2 inches or so,  but  dont want to have a harsh ride.  the only raising links I can find are 1 1/4 inches.  is there a longer shock that wont ride much harder?  I currently run my stock shock at 4, and it rides comfortably   thanks

The SV shock... i've got one all set to bolt straight in if you want it... i only recommend that you upgrade the front end springs with it... cuz it's kinda "divey" in turns and under hard braking.

PM me.

how much will it raise my bike?  I  dont want it to ride hard, just a little taller.  if I could find raising dogbones in a 2 or 2.5 inch, that would be perfect.  what kind of adjustments are there on the sv shock?  have you ridden on it in your gs? was it harder?

These people have links in about any length you might need:

http://burkhartcycle.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=24_28&products_id=73

Stock links are about 7 1/16" between hole centers and the ratio of change is about 5:1 on the GS.  I put on links that were 1/4" longer than stock and it lowered the bike about 1 1/4".

I discovered these links after I bought some Pingel links from Dennis Kirk for about 3 times the price of these Burkhartcycle links so I haven't tried this brand myself yet.

i think those are awesome i put them on my bike and they are sweet and safer then any links out there and they are adjustable
http://www.soupysperformance.com/catalog/item/4408900/4618738.htm

Quote from: streetfighter on March 04, 2009, 10:09:02 AM
i think those are awesome i put them on my bike and they are sweet and safer then any links out there and they are adjustable
http://www.soupysperformance.com/catalog/item/4408900/4618738.htm

Those are cool. I would worry about vibration loosening the lock nut over time if not checked. Wished I saw these before I ordered my links.

Ok I changed my 07 500 stock shock to 7 setting...I like it, pretty stiff enough...so I'll probably pass on the Kat shock upgrade for now since I'm sure it will feel the same...except that the Kat shock will raise..............SO shorter dogbones I want to do, to still raise the rear end....I went on www.burkhartcycle.com....they only have LOWERING links for GS500...unless someone can tell me where to look for RAISING links???

Are the shorter dogbones being sold on eBay trustworthy?
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Raising-Riser-kit-GS500-GS-500-All-Years_W0QQitemZ280276836501QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotorcycles_Parts_Accessories?hash=item280276836501&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1215|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318

But they only raise 1.25 inches...will it be a noticable difference...both visually and when sitting on the bike???


P.S. Yea those adjustable links are very smart design, watch the installation video, I love them! But a bit pricey

Like I said above, the stock links are 7 1/16" long.  The links longer than that will lower and the ones shorter than that will raise it up.

http://www.burkhartcycle.com/Site/extras/linktable.htm

Quote from: streetfighter on March 04, 2009, 10:09:02 AM
i think those are awesome i put them on my bike and they are sweet and safer then any links out there and they are adjustable
http://www.soupysperformance.com/catalog/item/4408900/4618738.htm

like i said too man these links work like magic and they go by 2'' check them out if u have any questions let me know i can help u out.

Quote from: gsJack on March 07, 2009, 08:15:50 PM
Like I said above, the stock links are 7 1/16" long.  The links longer than that will lower and the ones shorter than that will raise it up.

http://www.burkhartcycle.com/Site/extras/linktable.htm

OH you mean that page I can select my own length...ok so which length will raise it by 2inches??? Appreciate your help

It's about 5:1 ratio so for 2" higher you'd want about 2/5 = .4" shorter.

7 1/16 = 7.06 - .4 = 6.66 approx.  I'd try the 6.660 long ones for about 2" higher.

I put on 7 5/16" links and got 1 1/4" lower and another poster reported 1 3/8" lower for 7 5/16" links so the 5:1 ratio seems about right.

Awesome!!...but question...I don't know whether if I want it up 2inches or 3inches......what is a way to get a feeling...put a 2 or 3 inch block of wood under the rear tire?? Will that give the feeling of a 2 or 3 inch raised bike?

Guys, does the front end need be worked on if increase rear end by 2.5inches?
I am aware of the 'diving' situation with a higher rear end........BUT if I get shorter dogbones/links that'll raise the rearend by 2.5inches.....will I need to do some work on the front end to make them fit??

I emailed http://www.burkhartcycle.com/Site/extras/linktable.htm regarding a 2inch raise.

They said:

QuoteI'll take a closer look at it, but I'm not sure if that much lift is a good idea. Had you swapped out the shock or anything that lowered the rear?

So is it a problem if I get 6.660 length dogbones to raise the rear end?

QuoteIt's about 5:1 ratio so for 2" higher you'd want about 2/5 = .4" shorter.

7 1/16 = 7.06 - .4 = 6.66 approx.  I'd try the 6.660 long ones for about 2" higher.

I put on 7 5/16" links and got 1 1/4" lower and another poster reported 1 3/8" lower for 7 5/16" links so the 5:1 ratio seems about right.

Quote from: gsJack on March 08, 2009, 06:58:21 AM
It's about 5:1 ratio so for 2" higher you'd want about 2/5 = .4" shorter.

7 1/16 = 7.06 - .4 = 6.66 approx.  I'd try the 6.660 long ones for about 2" higher.

I put on 7 5/16" links and got 1 1/4" lower and another poster reported 1 3/8" lower for 7 5/16" links so the 5:1 ratio seems about right.

Very good numbers. From eyeball many years ago I calculated 1 to 4 for linkage and 1:2 for shock. The thing is a slightly longer set of dogbones, you wont even notice. Till you put it on.
Cool.
Buddha.

So do you think 6.660 will be safe for about 2inches higher?

Before you jack up your ass end, remember it'll put more load on the front end, change your steering geometry, (it'll steer even quicker) and you'll lose rear wheel traction easier unless you use a softer rear spring setting than you normally would, go to softer rear tire compound, or both.

Our bike doesn't lack rear travel or ride height.  I don't understand the desire to increase it.  Looks? 

Actually, it is kinda on the lowside (I find)....I was riding a cbr125 just before it, now got the 500....and the 125 is way more comfortable for the legs....the 500 is more cramped and what not
The riser kit wont make a huuuuge difference, but its also for looks and the minor improvement, if any

I put a 1.5 inch tall piece wood under rear tire to simulate and it felt better, it needs that 1 or 2 inch raise I found...kind of feels like I'm falling backward in stock height...even on 7 stock shock setting...But I guess everyone has their own preferences!

You raise up the rear, the bike will go faster, always, run better gas mileage and really accelerate better.
Cos you're going downhill all the time ... 
Cool.
Buddha.

After wearing out the oem Excedra tires and a pair of 1st generation oem size BT45s I put a couple of 130/90 size rear tires on my 97 GS. These 130/90 touring tires were a full 2" larger in diameter than the 130/70 oem and raised the rear of the bike 1".  The steering was noticeably quicker and I liked it that way.  The front was completely stock, I added my Progressive springs after the 130/90 tires were used up.  I had no problems with the handling due to that 1" rise in the rear.  The 1st 130/90 was a Metz ME88 and it handled about as well as the early BT45 but the 2nd was a Dunlop K491 and it just didn't want to go around corners as fast as the GS did.  I went to some sport touring radials after that.