[SVmikeS]

I installed a GSXR750 shock a few years back and I was happy with it for a while. Now that I have a couple seasons of trackdays I want the bike to turn in quicker. The rear sits a little low with the GSXR shock and I cannot afford a Ohlins. Would using 0.5" or 1" lifting links be a bad idea? Would they cause the shock to become extended to it's max or close to it?
The suspension was set-up by a reputable local shop that has their own race teams. Since I'm only 140lbs(maybe 150 w/ gear) they had to back off the preload which meant backing off the spring as far as the shock would allow. The bike has handled and rode well since but lost that razor sharp turning ability b/c the rear lowered when the spring was backed off.

 

[klebs01]

Why don't you get the right spring first?

 

[cap44]

That's what I did with my '06 SV last year and it worked fine. think the dogbones were about .5" shorter and it raised the back up 1 inch.

 

[RichDesmond]

I installed a GSXR750 shock a few years back and I was happy with it for a while. Now that I have a couple seasons of trackdays I want the bike to turn in quicker. The rear sits a little low with the GSXR shock and I cannot afford a Ohlins. Would using 0.5" or 1" lifting links be a bad idea? Would they cause the shock to become extended to it's max or close to it?
The suspension was set-up by a reputable local shop that has their own race teams. Since I'm only 140lbs(maybe 150 w/ gear) they had to back off the preload which meant backing off the spring as far as the shock would allow. The bike has handled and rode well since but lost that razor sharp turning ability b/c the rear lowered when the spring was backed off.

You've got a shock that's the wrong length, and spring and damping rates that aren't right. Dogbones aren't a big enough band-aid for that.

I'd skip a couple of trackdays and get a good shock.

 

[SVmikeS]

Cap44, what shock are you using?

Klebs01, Yeah I was thinking about swapping out the spring too. Any recommendations as to which spring to go with?

RichD, I know the shock is not meant for the SV. The guys that did the set-up for me were VERY emphatic about the shock not being meant for the bike. I had to beg them to do the set-up and promise I wouldn't bad mouth the shop if I wasn't happy with the result. As for saving up for a shock by skipping trackdays...I can't afford trackdays! I am going to earn credit by corner-working for the different orgs. Really, I need to sell the bike as I don't have the funds or time to enjoy it like last year. It just sucks b/c I will not get back what I put into it and I am having a hard time biting that bullet.

 

[cap44]

I beleive mine is an '04 GSXR 600 shock. Works fine

 

[OreoGaborio]

You've got a shock that's the wrong length, and spring and damping rates that aren't right. Dogbones aren't a big enough band-aid for that.

I'd skip a couple of trackdays and get a good shock.

+1. You can't fix an 800 dollar problem with a 50 dollar set of dogbones. No matter how hard you try, there's nothing you can do to make the WRONG part work RIGHT.

Take the time to read this, it should explain a lot: http://www.nestreetriders.com/forum/suspension-corner/44588-shock-swap-myth.html

Sure you can probably get it to work "fine" like like cap44 said, but it's not gonna work RIGHT.

Like the guy that wrote that says, "If you can't afford to do it right, how are you gonna afford to do it over?"

 

[SVmikeS]

$50?! try $20
gsxr shock - $35
set-up - $25
dog bones - $20
total cost - $80
result - ride is one-thousand times better than the OE shock.

If I wouldn't have made the dumb decision to buy bodywork last season, I would have a penske or ohlins shock. If I could get $4k (or really close to it) for the bike I'd let it all go. If I end up keeping the bike and time and money become more abundant, I'll end up investing in a shock. Until then the GSXR shock stays.

 

[OreoGaborio]

The break-down for a fully set up gsxr shock (assuming you have someone else to the work & need a spring for your weight) is more like this:

Donor Shock $35
Gold Valve $170
Spring $110
Labor $150
Shipping $50
$515

And if you wanna add your dog bones, there's another 20 to make it $535.

 

[SVmikeS]

pfft...if I was going to rebuild a gsxr shock, then yes I would just buy a model specific shock. The intent of swapping out the stock pos with an abortion was to improve the ride while not spending every penny I had. Wait a tick....did you think I meant revalve and spring when I said "set-up?" What I meant was having the sag, comp, and rebound adjusted for my weight.

 

[OreoGaborio]

Yup, I know what ya meant.

Don't worry, I'm not an aftermarket shock Nazi Just trying to spread some knowledge with that link above.