I feel like an idiot everytime I try to use the search function on this site 

Where and how much do you have to grind the swingarm for the R6 rear shock swap?  Getting ready to do it this weekend and I can't find my previous post where someone already answered that question   

-Jessie

The most I remember seeing in all my recent searching(currently winning one on ebay that's scheduled to end tomorrow, keeping my fingers crossed!), someone just covered that part of their swingarm with some masking tape, tried to install the shock, and then ground down where the tape had been rubbed off. I don't remember anyone actually saying how deep/wide you needed to grind it down.

Is this what you're looking for? 
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=51306.0

Quote from: Adfalchius on March 10, 2010, 09:07:04 PM
Is this what you're looking for? 
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=51306.0

Fixed link

Quote from: tt_four on March 10, 2010, 08:49:38 PM
The most I remember seeing in all my recent searching(currently winning one on ebay that's scheduled to end tomorrow, keeping my fingers crossed!), someone just covered that part of their swingarm with some masking tape, tried to install the shock, and then ground down where the tape had been rubbed off. I don't remember anyone actually saying how deep/wide you needed to grind it down.

That is what I did. Taped the shock and swingarm area to see where it hit. But instead of just grinding the swingarm I grinded a little off the bottom coil that was hitting the swingarm also.

It is hard to grind the inside of the swingarm area and I did not want to grind through the arm so a little off on the arm wall and a little of the coil.

Thanks guys, those are what I needed.

I didn't test fit the shock before we tore the bike down so I need some decent pictures/descriptions to see where to grind before the swing arm heads to the powder coater.  Am I looking at it correctly that the grinding is done on the bottom of the swing arm?  Thanks again   

-Jessie

Quote from: Adfalchius on March 10, 2010, 09:07:04 PM
Is this what you're looking for? 
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=51306.0

the sickest of burns!

Sounds like you're going to have a pretty sweet ride once you get it all back together...

this one is Kay's ride, I like stock bikes   

-Jessie

I saw it mentioned in a post that you cannot lower the bike once you have an r6 shock.  I haven't been able to find any other posts on the topic.  Has anybody been able to do this? 

Just for reference now that this thread has been brought back. When I installed mine is slid right in no problem. I didn't have to grind anything so give it a shot before you take the grinder to anything. Not sure about lowering it though.

Quote from: tt_four on November 16, 2010, 09:27:53 AM
Just for reference now that this thread has been brought back. When I installed mine is slid right in no problem. I didn't have to grind anything so give it a shot before you take the grinder to anything. Not sure about lowering it though.

Mine did as well... compressing the suspension doesn't cause it to rub either.

I had to grind a little bit. I think I put a pic of my poor grinding skills on here somewhere Some have been lucky and did not have to. I wish I knew the tape trick back then. I have done 20 000kms on it so far and it has not exploded or done something weird as yet. Good luck with the install.

I did end up having to grind it before I took it to the powdercoaters.  I actually just got the bike semi-running last week (my undying gratitude to you, BaltimoreGS and ver4  ).  The seat height is a little high for my petite frame (the corbin seat contributes to that as well)- so I'm still searching to see if lowering it is an option.  Here's a picture of it so far- I'll have to make a proper 'build' post when I have more of it together.



You can just see a little bit of red that is the r6 shock.  So does anybody out there have info regarding lowering it despite this shock?  (or I guess I'll find out in a week or two when we monkey with it!)

-K

Which corbin seat is that? Looks different than the one I have on my bike

Corbin offers two options for GS seats.  You have the solo "Gunfighter".  I have the "Gunfighter and Lady"- I liked the extra curviness it gave to the back end- I think it helps balance out the flatter design of the sideplastics on my bike.

Quote from: Adfalchius on November 16, 2010, 11:05:14 PM
Corbin offers two options for GS seats.  You have the solo "Gunfighter".  I have the "Gunfighter and Lady"- I liked the extra curviness it gave to the back end- I think it helps balance out the flatter design of the sideplastics on my bike.

Ah, that'll do it

A good way to test it out for lowering is to make yourself a template for lowering links. If you put the bike on the centerstand, measure from the axle to the tail, and then just use some scrap metal(or go buy a flat steel bar from home depot for $4) and you can cut/drill them slightly longer than the stock links. I in no way would recommend riding the bike like that, but it'll let you lower the rear end to any height you want to try, sit on it a little, and see if the shock is rubbing anything.

I just went ahead and got a pair of Burkhart links: -1.5.  They seemed to fit without any issue with the R6 shock, but the problem was that one of the links hit the swingarm (the weld stuck out a little more on one side) and I couldn't bolt it on to really test it out.  I noticed that these links were a lot wider than the stock links.  BaltimoreGS commented that it might work once I take the bike off the center stand- I'll try fooling around with that. 

So, I'm assuming grinding the dogbone is a big no-no, and that under normal circumstances one could just grind the swingarm- too bad it's powdercoated already.  I guess the option, if nothing else works, is to get a slimmer link- steel?  The Burkhart links cost about $20, has anybody bought something comparable in steel? 

-Kay

I have a pair that are thinner steel. They look pretty cheap, but seem like they would work perfectly fine(haven't gotten around to mounting them yet). I'm sure if you look around ebay or somewhere you could find a set.

Question: what are the specific advantages of the R6 shock over the stock shock?

I've just purchased a 1994 GS500E that's in nice running condition. But the suspension is getting a little sacked. I have to replace the fork seals and I'll probably put progressive springs in while I'm at it. I'm torn whether to just buy a new stock rear shock and spring or look at an alternative.

I've seen the R6 mentioned a couple of times but no specifics about what it has over the stock shock.

I should mention that I just turned 64 and am returning to riding after a few years off. My wild and crazy days are well behind me. So I'm just looking for good allround suspension performance. I'm planning to dual-sport the bike a bit .. dual-sport tires, wider bars, reposition the footpegs a little. I'm also already getting a little spoiled by the cushy suspension on my DRZ400SM. So I'll want a suspension that has some compliance for off the pavement. .... Shucks, with the condition of the pavement around here, I'll need some suspension compliance even if I never take it off the pavement!! 

...ken...