If anyone has installed a rear shock (preferrably the R6) would you be able to share how you installed it..and by "installed it" I mean how did you physically get it into the bike?  I managed to wrangle the stock shock out of the bottom of the bike by removing the front single bolt from the swing arm pivot that attaches to the dog bones BUT given the R6 shock has that resevior It won't fit in the way the stock one came out ... Before I start ripping the bike apart I just wanted to ask from those who have done this if there is a simpler way that I might be overlooking ... So how did you get the shock in the bike?  Thanks!  Note: I have all the required Yamaha parts for the install (sleeve, bolt etc) I just need to get the shock INTO the bike!

ok, so after a night of head scratching I got it in (without removing the tank/airbox etc).  I removed the plastic chain guard and the heel plate and that created enough room to go in from the side and turn it downwards.  So to anyone considering this...'09 R6 shocks will go in through the side

Now another question if I may; After getting it in and all bolted up it is very close to the swing arm.  I saw some post from guys here who said they had to grind a bit and some said they didn't grind and it was fine?  So my question is ... is paper thin too close?  I dont remember how close the stock shock was to the back...could perhaps anyone with the stock shock have a quick peek and let me know how close it is? I dont want to have to rip this all out and grind..but if I have to I will.  Just looking for others experiences.  Thanks. 

Heres a pic of what I mean, how close is the stock one?


Installed

Nice!

I will post the reply in the other thread so we can keep it all together - easier to search that way. As far as I know, you are the first person to get an '09+ shock installed.

Cool thanks.  Well, I can tell you all with certainty that the 2009 R6 shock fits   Taking advice from Burning1 I went with an 09 since the 08+ have the smaller piggy back resevoir which is nice, there is LOADS of clearance at the top and getting it in was much easier.  Now..as soon as the snow clears I'll be testing it out. A

After almost an hour of reading ALL the R6 and rear shock related posts (thanks search option) I found this post which I believe answered my question;

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=51306.0

I've been reading up on adjustment as well.  Im no suspension expert but I thought I would post this.  The adjustment is specific to the R6 shock in the actual R6...but atleast this will tell you where all the shock adjusters are and what they do ..

http://skidmark.net/r6_settings.htm

Paper thin gap is fine - the shock on my race bike was actually touching the swingarm, and it was never a problem. In practice, since clearance is only an issue with the shock completely topped out, you probably don't need to be concerned. It's best that the parts don't rub, but if they do a little it probably isn't the end of the world.

Glad you got it installed with no trouble.

I agree with what Burning said. I just wanted to play it safe and make sure there was a gap when topped out as the roads in Australia can be a bit rough at times. Mine is still going after 40,000kms on my bike. I don't know how many it done on  previous bikes before hand.

Quote from: burning1 on December 26, 2011, 11:28:57 PM
Paper thin gap is fine - the shock on my race bike was actually touching the swingarm, and it was never a problem. In practice, since clearance is only an issue with the shock completely topped out, you probably don't need to be concerned. It's best that the parts don't rub, but if they do a little it probably isn't the end of the world.

Glad you got it installed with no trouble.

Cool, and thanks again for all your help in other R6 posts, theres a wealth of R6 shock knowledge spread across ~9 different posts.  My only hope now is that it feels as noticable/good as my front spring upgrade did a few years ago.  But theres a foot of snow outside so I'm goona have to wait...I still find it funny that this shock fits like it was MADE for the GS.

Quote from: dread_au on December 27, 2011, 05:45:06 AM
I agree with what Burning said. I just wanted to play it safe and make sure there was a gap when topped out as the roads in Australia can be a bit rough at times. Mine is still going after 40,000kms on my bike. I don't know how many it done on  previous bikes before hand.

40,000kms!  nice, thats awesome.  Mine came off a 2009 R6 and I was told it had ~2000kms on it before they removed it (they made it a track bike and parted it out).  Oh, one other note while this thread is still alive...when I orderd my bolt, sleeve and nut from Yamaha I asked them about the difference in shock colour from year to year...they told me that the colour had nothing to do with performance and everything to do with the year of the bike and specifically the paint scheme colour of the bike.  I was told that functionally the shocks are identical, they changed the piggy back in late 07 but other than that they are all the same.  I know that was widely assumed here, but though I would add that anyway.  And if you do decide you want to do this and can't find one with the dogbones attached or the price is MORE with them attached...I paid $9.83 for the bolt, sleeve, washer and nut brand new from Yamaha.