GSXR rear shock swap

[bengone1]

The stock shock was oozing fluid from the git go along with the tell tale sucking noise when bounced (There was an audible sucking noise when I was riding as well, apparently it was me).

A few months ago I picked up a 2001-2002 GSXR 1000 rear shock for $30 shipped off of EBay. I also picked up a 2005 GSXR 1000 rear shock for a friend to swap on her Suzuki SV650. Slightly different spring rates and different eyelet lengths. The 01-02 is spot on for length the 05 is about 5mm short. I choose the 01-02 for the spring rate 430lbs is approximately the same as the race kit spring. There is also a difference in the orientation of the reservoir and comp adjuster. I wanted to raise the rear up a few mm, especially now that I have ZX6RR forks which are longer than OE ZXR forks.

Here is a breakdown of shocks, rates and lengths. I used this to pick mine out.

** The OEM ZXR400L spring weight is 448# The race kit rate is 433# ** Length is approximately 330mm

YEAR MOTORCYCLE LENGTH SPRING
===== ========= ===== =====
00-03 GSXR750 325mm 400#

01-03 GSXR600 325.5mm 450# *corrected by TWF...thanks!

01-02 GSXR1000 329.5mm 430#

03-04 SV650 330mm 430# <<<==== stock 2nd gen

99-03 GSXR1300(Busa) 330mm 700#

04 GSXR750 332.5mm 408#

04 GSXR600 332.5mm 425#

03-04 GSXR1000 332.5mm 480#

99-02 SV650 337mm 510# <<<====stock 1st gen

04 ZX10R 338mm 540#

03-04 ZX6R(636) 340mm 540#

96-99 GSXR750 356mm 375#

97-00 GSXR600 356mm 375#

05 GSX-R 1000 325mm 450#

[bengone1]

The top and bottom eyelets need to be drilled out to match the 400 mounting points. I used a 15/32" bit. The bottom joint is easy. To drill the rubber bushed top you should use a drill press to get it straight. I have butchered a CBR shock by not being careful. Take breaks and be careful not to over heat the rubber bushing. You still need to shave a bit off of the eyelet to slide nicely into the 400 height adjuster.

Next problem. You'll notice in the pic 01-02 shock (red spring) the reservior will collide with the battery tray and brace. The 05 shock (yellow spring) if oriented as shown would probably only require minor trimming of battery box and brace. But if you do it this way it will be a real PITA to adjust the COMP damping. The 01-02 the way it is mounted should be adjustable through the mesh grating of the rear panels. Nice touch in my book.

[bengone1]

I hacked off the "lip" of the battery tray and the brace of the rear subframe. Slide the whole shebang back and notched the two humps out to make the two halfs of the plastic undertrays mesh better. I need to decide how to replace the brace that holds up the battery.

[masterofinsanity]

nice thread mate good to see people experimenting!

[bengone1]

Here is a bit more progress. I used a little angle aluminum 1/8" x 1" x 1"to fab a brace to hold the battery box up. The battery box peg is 5/16" the rivets are 1/4"...too bad my rivet gun doesn't do 1/4". I placed a block of metal (a brick would work) on each end while I hammered the middle section down.

[bengone1]

Drilled out some aluminum. Pressed in a couple nut-serts for the Rectifier to bolt to. Drilled a hole for the lower nut-sert in the battery tray and assembled. One down side is the ride height cannot be lowered much.



Final product. Not to shabby. The rebound and comp adjusters as well as the preload are all easily accessible.

[Ghost400]

I did this Mod today, and its pretty easy, I didnt drill out the GSXR shock, I made some bushes/spacers and used 10mm top and bottom bolts, just moved undertray back and up , couple of brackets to make up but all good, cant wait till next trackday.

[cargo]

Took me about 30 minutes to fit an Ohlins I didn't have to drill cut or modify anything and it's about 600 times better than a stock shock from a Suzuki

[edl]

iv'e fitted the gixxer shock you gotta be fair £30 mod and it improves the bike, ohlins are not within everyone's budget, and having all the trick suspension is of no use if you cant ride! I raced a totally stock zx6r in 98 with no mods at all not even a steering damper and still came home most weekend with trophy's in the upto 1300 class

[cdstirland81]

i must be a right pikey then, 2nd hand hagon shock...

[bude-zxr]

I fitted a gsxr rear shock today and its feels really hard on the rear now. It's also really tight where it goes through the swing arm.

[bengone1]

Took me about 30 minutes to fit an Ohlins I didn't have to drill cut or modify anything and it's about 600 times better than a stock shock from a Suzuki

To apply what EDL said, an Ohlins would be lost on my talent...

[motorbikeshopUKcouk]

Are any of those shocks listed 3 way? What in your opinion is the best one?