Hey guys.
I've had the idea of upgrading the suspension on my bike for quite a long time now. The front oil's been stiffened to 15W (which is a NOTICEABLE difference in stability), and the rear shock is nearing the end of it's lifespan (94K KM). I already bought a Katana 600 shock online about half a year ago, the shipping was about 2 times more than the actual shock, and the shock turned out to be leaky (needless to say I got a full refund, shipping included).
We don't have Katanas here in my country, and from what I've read the Katana one is best suited for my weight and needs, as opposed to the R6/SV650 ones. I don't want to go through the hassle of buying another unusable shock, can anyone recommend a seller on eBay that's reliable? I'm starting to have trust issues 

Where you based?

Quote from: Kookas on February 17, 2018, 09:57:27 AM
Where you based?

Israel

Honestly, if you can afford it at all, buy a new aftermerket proper shock set up for the bike.
Also considering the age I would be pulling the swingarm and checking the swingarm bearings was well when you do it.

Quote from: gregjet on February 17, 2018, 12:43:05 PM
Honestly, if you can afford it at all, buy a new aftermerket proper shock set up for the bike.
Also considering the age I would be pulling the swingarm and checking the swingarm bearings was well when you do it.

Sadly, this would be too much of a stretch for me. I'm a part-time working University student and the Katana shock is the only one that's on my budget ATM. If I had money to spend, I'd honestly upgrade to an SV650 (but the price differences here in my country are FAR greater than North American/European countries, so that's not really an option right now, plus - the GS is in pretty much mint condition despite her age). 

Oh, are the swing arm bearings really 40-50 USD? I've checked them out on eBay. If that's the case I'm totally going to replace them as well.

Since the Katana has been out of production for ~10 years now, I don't think you are going to find any place to buy it used other than eBay. Chances are your next shock won't be blown.

Your only other reputable option would be to buy it new from a OEN parts dealer but Suzuki probably charges $500 for the shock. For that price you would be better off getting a custom rear shock from Hagon or Racetec

Way back ~10 yrs ago I shipped a kat shock to Israel, and that guy had to jump through a bunch of crap to get it out of customs. He told me to write something specific on it - I don't remember. Something like Original 1994 GS500 shock or some like that. Apparently its illegal to modify a bike or something in Israel.
Cool.
Buddha.

Quote from: The Buddha on February 20, 2018, 06:58:47 AM
Way back ~10 yrs ago I shipped a kat shock to Israel, and that guy had to jump through a bunch of crap to get it out of customs. He told me to write something specific on it - I don't remember. Something like Original 1994 GS500 shock or some like that. Apparently its illegal to modify a bike or something in Israel.
Cool.
Buddha.

Oh yeah, big time. Any modification has to be approved by our DMV, which are frankly a bunch of coochies (I believe the phenomenon is universal  ). Many mods are illegal and the bike can be deemed "road unworthy" by a traffic officer/DMV inspector (and yes, inspections are mandatory here, and happen once a year). Tire sizes are listed in your bike's paperwork, and it's illegal to change the sizes. Any performance mods (intake, air filters, exhausts) are also banned and some headlight mods are as well, also fender eliminator kits...the list just goes on and on. You CAN mod your bike, but it'd better be a professional job so the cops won't notice it.

And I found a Katana shock in GREAT condition online and bought it this week, really looking forward to it, the bike's been wobbly as hell lately because of the rear shock.