Not sure if this has been done or mentioned, but does anyone here know the gs500 shock length? From end to end? If so how many mm is it?

I don't have the exact number, but I recall that it's right around 300mm. Due to the leverage ratio of the linkage, a few mm difference in shock length can have a big difference in swingarm angle and ride height.

Burning's mention of about 300mm is the only mention I have seen on the forum of stock shock length.  But I have read before that the R6 shock (one of our 'direct' replacements for stock which doesn't change ride height much at all, if any) is 291mm.

- Bboy

alright, do you all think that a  320mm shock would be too much for the bike to fit?

I'll reply to bump the thread and to let you know I saw your reply.  But I personally do not know enough about the shock length ratio to tell you how much it would change, or if it would be too much to fit, etc... There are several known shocks to fit in replacement of the stock GS500 shock such as the R6, or katana, SV650 (with shortened clevis mount), maybe another I'm forgetting... What shock are you trying to fit? Maybe someone else has already tried it, or something similar?

- Bboy

Basically I was on ebay (land of magically cheap crap) and found some air shock absorbers. http://www.ebay.com/itm/320mm-Motorcycle-Scooter-Rear-Suspension-Adjustable-Air-Shock-Absorber-Spring-/310835565336?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item485f3e5318&vxp=mtr

They seem to be the right shape but I was thinking maybe with some modification one could be capable of fitting in the slot of the stok one. I just didn't know if it was too long, or even if one of the shocks could hold that much weight. I just thought it'd be cool to try and didn't know if anyone else has or has gone with a bigger shock to try and raise the ride height.

"Package included: one pair"

Very good chance you won't get enough force out of a single one.

I knew it came as two, but thats mainly what I was afraid of was wether it could handle the weight

Badot is right - those shocks are (poorly) designed to handle half of the rear load. Even people that have used them on older dual shock bikes say those shocks are garbage.

Conveniently I have my old stock shock lying around from when I did my katana rear swap, just measured it. From my measurements (center of each eye) it looks like 291mm. Hope this helps!

Thanks camaro! and well I guess the dilemma of them being crappy shocks solves this question. Thanks everyone for their help!

Do not do those shocks for your GS500.

I used those shocks on my old GS750.  They were a bit better than expected considering the cost, but they are not up to single shock use.  Just don't do it.  You can get an R6 shock for about what those things run and you'll actually have some adjustability out of it.



"Okay" for dual shock rear, not at all okay for a single.  And, Big Rich, they're not garbage.  Most people who complain about them had their expectations in the wrong place...like the guys who buy harbor frieght tools and Buddha Loves You because they don't last like Snap On.  Also, they're not half as strong as a linked shock...that's not how link setups work.  The springs are not even half as strong as a the shock that came on the GS.

I guess I should have explained why I said they are garbage - CrazyPJ bought some for a CB360 project of his and actually rebuilt them so they would work properly. Check out post #265 in this thread:

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=11736.255

http://www.dotheton.com/forum/index.php?topic=7995.msg70924#msg70924

I did the same thing.  Actually, I tried to get a set to a dyno to see how they held up under a real strain...weren't good enough to bother with it, though.  They do okay for the most part but they are very limiting unless you have a machine shop on hand.

I do really like that they redesigned the lowers on your friends.  I had to make all new lower spring seats for mine.

Quote from: aaronmact on January 03, 2014, 02:33:11 PM
alright, do you all think that a  320mm shock would be too much for the bike to fit?

Way, way too much! Shock length is a really critical parameter, and seemingly small changes can have a big impact on how the bike handles. 5mm you can really feel, 7-8mm is pretty major, 10-12mm is the outer limit (or beyond) for most bikes.