I have heard  that early 90's GSXR rear shocks work well on the GS500. When I searched eBay there was a lot of newer model year GSXR shocks for CHEAP! Also, can I use one designed for 600/750/1000? This would be mostly for a street application for now, and hopefully in the near future some track duty  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Joe

The post 96 ones wont fit ... 89-95 750 ones fit but too many problems, grinding this and that ...

The toss in fit is 89-96 katana 600 and 750.
I'd sell you some well tested ones (I open and test them for leaks and valving function) for 40 and shipping.
Ebay crappola could be OK but it could leak or have useless valving where it doesn't adjust the hydraulics ...
Cool.
Buddha.

Just a quick question. Why put a different shock on? Are ours too soft/hard or what?

Quote from: dauphinc on January 25, 2010, 09:45:56 PM
Just a quick question. Why put a different shock on? Are ours too soft/hard or what?

Too soft, especially if you modify the front suspension. if your less than 150# the stock will prolly be good then, untill you go two up.

Lol..no wonder. I weigh 125 and kept wondering..I though it felt just fine. The front feels too soft to me though.

Quote from: dauphinc on January 25, 2010, 11:30:05 PM
Lol..no wonder. I weigh 125 and kept wondering..I though it felt just fine. The front feels too soft to me though.

yeah the front has .50ish kg/mm springs, for my weight (170#, 185 with gear) I should have .85-.95kg/mm. for a 140# rider (you plus gear) you should have .80-.90 for aggressive street.

check out this site for springs: http://www.sonicsprings.com/catalog/calculate_spring_rate.php#calculate

Quote from: dauphinc on January 25, 2010, 09:45:56 PM
Just a quick question. Why put a different shock on? Are ours too soft/hard or what?

I am 6'-4 and weigh right around 200# w/o gear. It is to soft for me and way too soft when my wife rides with me.

Cheers, Joe

Speed-tron:
You're 6ft 4 - Kat shock will pick up the ride height ~1.5-2 inches. Now it could be more than that if you compare loaded up bikes. Like you could be as much as 3+ taller than a similarly loaded bike with stock rear shock.

The thing to note though, in spite of some trouble fitting the GSXR ones, they sit it taller, prolly and extra 1/2 over a kat when unloaded and consequently more when fully loaded too.

I dunno - kat would work and its drop in. OTOH with the extra work of grinding everything in sight (swingarm, linkage at a minimum) you can get a GSXR one 750 90-95 to work better. Let me know before this afternoon when I'll have the kat one out to you. I'd refund you if you tell me before that.

Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on January 26, 2010, 08:13:22 AM
Speed-tron:
You're 6ft 4 - Kat shock will pick up the ride height ~1.5-2 inches. Now it could be more than that if you compare loaded up bikes. Like you could be as much as 3+ taller than a similarly loaded bike with stock rear shock.

The thing to note though, in spite of some trouble fitting the GSXR ones, they sit it taller, prolly and extra 1/2 over a kat when unloaded and consequently more when fully loaded too.

I dunno - kat would work and its drop in. OTOH with the extra work of grinding everything in sight (swingarm, linkage at a minimum) you can get a GSXR one 750 90-95 to work better. Let me know before this afternoon when I'll have the kat one out to you. I'd refund you if you tell me before that.

Cool.
Buddha.

Being tall I have become adept at "not-so perfect" riding/driving positions, and making them work well for me. I am glad that the Katana shock will raise the ride height and inch or two. I have the tools/abilities to grind whatever, but I would prefer not to. If the only real benefit is another 1/2", I think that I will stick with the Katana shock.

Cheers, Joe

Good. So you're in full racer tuck running 10 mph in traffic huh ... K 

Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on January 26, 2010, 08:56:34 AM
Good. So you're in full racer tuck running 10 mph in traffic huh ... K 

Cool.
Buddha.

No that would be stupid... I don't get into full racer tuck until 15 mph DUH!!!