Hi all,
Well, the stock rear shock on my 1991 GS500E has apparently seized or the seal deteriorated, leaving the shock completely compressed with no compression damping.
Time to replace it.
So, do I go with a stock used GS500E rear shock from a 1990 to 1998 model?
Or should i consider a replacement like a Katana 600 rear shock with dampening adjustment?
I do NOT want to raise the rear of the bike! I don't want to deal with sidestand length hassles, plus my legs are stretched over the bike as it is today.
If the Katana 600 shock is the answer here, has anyone done this switch?
Is the bike basically at the same height as before? Or taller???
Thanks for your ideas.
Yours,
Trwhouse   

I've often considered what it would be like to swap out the stock shock for the better ones mentioned constantly on this site... but I was always under the impression that they would lead to an uncomfortable ride for someone my weight.

I don't really mind the idea of lifting the bike but heck no I'd not want to mess with the side stand... I just sanded and painted mine last year so it's lookin' pretty now    But when I have a passenger on my bike, I feel as though a better shock would make a nice difference.

I'm interested to see what the replies are. I know I've read tons of info and posts about the r6 shock as well as the kat shock but I can't remember the specifics. Maybe I will do a search since things are dead here at work atm 

Edit: come to think of it, there's some good info in my own thread I made up a while back...!  I glanced down through it and there's some info about each shock and how it works for the rider http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=69391.0

Thanks for your input, man. 
I'm hoping to hear from others, too.

Does anyone know if a 2007 GS500 rear shock will fit just like my stock 1991 GS500 rear shock?
I imagine it will, but want to confirm with someone who knows for sure.
Thanks,

Trwhouse 

I wish my rear shock could help you, man, but from everything I've read on here, that once the rear shock gets spongy, its done. If there was a way to rebuild it, I'm sure it would be on here somewhere, but unfortunately I think only the forks can be rebuilt. . .

Hi back,
Mine is not spongy.
It is seized. 
And they are not rebuildable.

Just found a 2007 stock shock on eBay for $23 with free shipping and ordered it.
I checked the parts books and it will fit as stock.
It looks like it is in excellent shape.
Thanks,
Trwhouse

$23/free shipping....price is hard to beat;just hope it's ok.

All GS500 shocks are interchangeable. Patrick was always in favor of the stock shock vs anything else. It's actually a decent shock if you are the correct weight (under 160 lbs). If you are 160 - 190 lbs the R6 shock is the way to go. ~190 lbs+ or if you often ride with a passenger then the katana shock is the way to go.

The Katana shock does raise the rear end 1/2 an inch.
Another option is the SV650 shock but that requires drilling a mounting hole in the shock. The SV shock raises the rear end more and is not as good of a shock as the R6 or Katana.

Good info Blue! Patrick was a fan of karma corn, so there ya go.....

Quote from: Bluesmudge on July 07, 2016, 12:40:04 PM
The Katana shock does raise the rear end 1/2 an inch.

0.5"(13mm)......i always thought it was something like 1.2"(30mm).....Hmmm.

You are probably right. 1/2" was an estimate and a number I have seen thrown around on the forum. I never measured the actual increase. 1.2" would explain why my GS leans over so far on the side stand.

Quote from: fetor56 on July 07, 2016, 02:35:58 PM

Quote from: Bluesmudge on July 07, 2016, 12:40:04 PM
The Katana shock does raise the rear end 1/2 an inch.

0.5"(13mm)......i always thought it was something like 1.2"(30mm).....Hmmm.

I did this swap. Gs5 shock is 292 ctc and the "katana shock is 298mm ctc. The suspension lever ratio is just over 2.1:1 so the lift is 2 x 2.1 or about 10.5mm. I measured 11 so within experimental error.