Quote from: ajensen on August 11, 2017, 12:50:42 PM
I put a 2009 R6 shock on my 2006 GS500f yesterday. I was able to put it in from the bottom with no problem. I only wish my motorcycle was as clean as ShowBizWolf's--my hands got pretty dirty. I am doing the forks today. I am going to try putting Yamaha SR500 inner valve springs on top of the stock springs. We will see how it goes.

That's great to hear as that's what I plan on doing. Can't really be bothered taking the airbox out. Did you have to take off the chain guard and rearsets? Cheers mate

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I took off the left rear peg and the chain guard. After I took out the old shock and all the rear suspension linkage, the R6  shock just went in from the bottom. The bottom of the new shock just barely cleared the swinging arm. Like you, I did not want to mess with the air box.

Nice! No grinding is even better! Let me know how it feels when you get a few rides in Can't wait to do this mod!

Speaking of that swing arm clearance, I also didn't have to grind any metal away. Woot for that!!

When the bike is just sitting, the shock does touch the swing arm... but when sitting on it, the shock moves slightly and gives... I'd say... 1/8" to 1/16" clearance. I remember reading in an old thread where burning1 said that's all ya need so I was happy when I saw this.

Oh that's good to hear! I thought if it were touching even when off the bike I would have to grind. You certainly are more up with it that me though! Goodo

It looks like I'll be getting a shock soon but I am confused about the first post where @froidy says he knows he'll have to buy the clevis mount. I'm looking at a similar shock but from the photo it looks like the bolt and spacer is already in the clevis mount so what needs to be bought?

This is the one I'm looking at, isn't this complete for the gs as is?

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/222981910743

Hi user! Got your PM.

That shock IS the correct one that will work on our GS's. What's meant by 'clevis mount' is that the shock has to have the U shaped mount at the bottom... in other words, it has to have the same shaped mount as the stock GS shock.

When I looked at the pictures in the ebay listing, it appears to be missing the spacer/sleeve you'll need to properly install that shock on the GS. It's got the bottom bolt and nut, which is needed but the Yamaha spacer/sleeve is also necessary.

@SBW,

OK I got it now, I was thinking the spacer is inside the clevis but I now see it's in the linkage. I found one that looks in absolute mint condition, I'll get this https://www.ebay.com/itm/202291556018 so that's the spacer and bolt with the green circle, yes?

The one you have circled, you won't need. The spacer you need should be inside the R6's bottom mount + linkage.

The shock in that link has everything mine came with too

Thanks SBW, that's just saved me a headache!

Now I suppose I'll have to hope the fork seals start leaking so I can have an excuse for some sonic springs.

btw I think we're about the same weight from memory, what set up have you settled on for the rebound and damping.

I'm at 145 lbs, without gear. You know, I fiddled with the shock's settings last year and I honestly can't remember what I have it set at lol!

To be totally honest, I don't think I ride in a way that takes full advantage of the R6's adjustability. I bought an SV shock (one of the other options in the wiki) last fall to try it out and compare but I never got around to cutting and drilling and installing it. It's on my list though!

Yep, same weight. See that little slotted screw near the bottom of the spring on the same side as the gold and blue bit, is that the 'rebound' control?

I didn't know what was what on the shock... so I googled and then downloaded the owner's manual for that year of R6 bike. Then I found the pages that explain what each adjustment is

@SBW, it took me three manual downloads because it's not easy to tell which year they refer to and all the shocks have slightly different compression and rebound damping! I have extracted the two relevant pages out of the manual and I'll post them here for anyone who buys a 2008 or later R6 shock, earlier ones have different damping mechanisms...

https://tinyurl.com/R6shock2008-and-later