[Kiwi Rider]

I installed my GSXR600 shock and flipped the top shock mount. Road it for 2 hours today and what an improvement, not just in the corners but everywhere. It absorbs small and large bumps much better, makes riding much more enjoyable. All the settings on my shock were stock/default when I got it. I backed of preload until there were about 4 threads showing to lessen the +10mm from flipping the shock mount (-5mm +15mm). I backed off all rebound and compression settings half a turn. I measured both shocks using a Wescott steel ruler and M10 allen bolts, the N400 is 320mm, the GSXR is 315mm. The N400 weighed 2300g, the GSXR 2550g. I did a rough SAG 20mm.

Was that taken as the difference between you sitting on the bike and not sitting on the bike with the wheel on the ground the whole time? If so, sounds about right.

 

[N4Fun]

Was that taken as the difference between you sitting on the bike and not sitting on the bike with the wheel on the ground the whole time? If so, sounds about right.

It was me off then sitting on the bike (out of gear but with a 20lb dumbbell in my lap on a stand and measuring myself floor to tailight screw which is almost over the rear axle. So pretty rough, I'll get some help and do a more accurate job next weekend.

 

[JFMNINJA400]

I did the gixxer shock swap. I didn’t flip the top shock mount. Looks like I will be doing that. The rear height looks much lower. Could be my imagination cause I didn’t measure. The battery tray looks like a pain to get out. To get to the bolts holding hold the top shock mount in. Looks like I will be taking the top shock mount out another day. No rush, the cold is here for awhile. Project for another day. Not a hard job at all. Dying to see how the rear feels once it’s all sorted out!

Thanks Scook!!!

 

[yarddog]

I have been feeling an odd vibration in my seat when hitting bumps since swapping the shock. I took a look at the shock yesterday and noticed my dog bone on one side has been touching the shock spring during suspension movements. I’ll need to remove the dog bones and add a washer to each side to widen them slightly to prevent this. Anyone else notice this issue?

 

[Kiwi Rider]

I have been feeling an odd vibration in my seat when hitting bumps since swapping the shock. I took a look at the shock yesterday and noticed my dog bone on one side has been touching the shock spring during suspension movements. I’ll need to remove the dog bones and add a washer to each side to widen them slightly to prevent this. Anyone else notice this issue?

Yep, I had same issue when I did this mod on my old GSXR400.
I added washers as a fix.

 

[b0Xcrash]

I did the gixxer shock swap. I didn’t flip the top shock mount. Looks like I will be doing that. The rear height looks much lower. Could be my imagination cause I didn’t measure. The battery tray looks like a pain to get out. To get to the bolts holding hold the top shock mount in. Looks like I will be taking the top shock mount out another day. No rush, the cold is here for awhile. Project for another day. Not a hard job at all. Dying to see how the rear feels once it’s all sorted out!

Thanks Scook!!!

it is a pain, if it was not for that the swap would be so much easier....you have to tear just about everything apart to get at it, it sucked, lol

 

[b0Xcrash]

I have been feeling an odd vibration in my seat when hitting bumps since swapping the shock. I took a look at the shock yesterday and noticed my dog bone on one side has been touching the shock spring during suspension movements. I’ll need to remove the dog bones and add a washer to each side to widen them slightly to prevent this. Anyone else notice this issue?

Interesting, I have not noticed that, but did notice during install it was tight on the brake lever side, I could not fit a piece of paper between that dog bone and the spring, but shift lever side has plenty of space...and I inspected my spring and noticed only a layer of powder coat was rubbed on which appears to be about 5 layers thick, cause I cannot see the bare metal through it.
Plus I never felt any vibration on mine......

Is that the side you notice the rubbing on?

And right, a couple washers on that side should take care of it with mine.

 

[yarddog]

I have been feeling an odd vibration in my seat when hitting bumps since swapping the shock. I took a look at the shock yesterday and noticed my dog bone on one side has been touching the shock spring during suspension movements. I’ll need to remove the dog bones and add a washer to each side to widen them slightly to prevent this. Anyone else notice this issue?

Interesting, I have not noticed that, but did notice during install it was tight on the brake lever side, I could not fit a piece of paper between that dog bone and the spring, but shift lever side has plenty of space...and I inspected my spring and noticed only a layer of powder coat was rubbed on which appears to be about 5 layers thick, cause I cannot see the bare metal through it.
Plus I never felt any vibration on mine......

Is that the side you notice the rubbing on?

And right, a couple washers on that side should take care of it with mine.

Yes only the right side(rear brake side). It’s a very faint vibration, but as a mechanic I am always looking for a hint of an issue. Paint is barely rubbed, it’s just a very slight clearance issue but one washer on each end of the dog bone will clear it right up.

 

[JFMNINJA400]

it is a pain, if it was not for that the swap would be so much easier....you have to tear just about everything apart to get at it, it sucked, lol

I am tempted to break it. No way should a battery tray be that hard to take out. Did they build the bike around the battery tray??? I will attack it when I am fresh, so I am not worn out wrestling with it. Kiwi, did you weigh it? Lol.....probably only a few ounces.:devil:

 

[Kiwi Rider]

I am tempted to break it. No way should a battery tray be that hard to take out. Did they build the bike around the battery tray??? I will attack it when I am fresh, so I am not worn out wrestling with it. Kiwi, did you weigh it? Lol.....probably only a few ounces.:devil:

96.342 grams :nerd:

 

[JFMNINJA400]

Took the bike out for a spin to see how the rear shock feels. It does feel allot better over the bumps. Wasn’t out that long it was sunny but only 45 degrees. I was out for about 30 minutes. The temp gauge was at 2 bars most of the time. Just have to get the rear raised up, def sits lower.

 

[b0Xcrash]

I am tempted to break it. No way should a battery tray be that hard to take out. Did they build the bike around the battery tray??? I will attack it when I am fresh, so I am not worn out wrestling with it. Kiwi, did you weigh it? Lol.....probably only a few ounces.:devil:

Right and I am not really sure what the point is of those two little bolts holding the tray to the mounts for the shock, well I am and I am not. Its extra support for the weight of the battery and tool kit in the tray, but what I noticed is that spot where the bolts are, enough weight pushing down on the tray would allow it to rest on the top of the engine shock mount.

And if you removed the toolkit and are running a Li Ion battery, which is at or under 1lbs, a rubber band would support that weight anyway

 

[JFMNINJA400]

Right and I am not really sure what the point is of those two little bolts holding the tray to the mounts for the shock, well I am and I am not. Its extra support for the weight of the battery and tool kit in the tray, but what I noticed is that spot where the bolts are, enough weight pushing down on the tray would allow it to rest on the top of the engine shock mount.

And if you removed the toolkit and are running a Li Ion battery, which is at or under 1lbs, a rubber band would support that weight anyway

I took the tool kit out before my 1st track day on the 400. I used velcro to secure the lithium battery to the tray.
I like to have a tool kit with me when I ride on the street, never know what can/will happen. It fits perfectly in the
battery tray with the lithium battery.:clap: I did use that spanner tool or whatever it’s called to adjust the height of the gixxer shock. Worked like a charm! I will be flipping that shock mount within the next week or so. I don’t like the look of the lower rear. I may even get the Spears shock mounts if I don’t think it’s high enough.

 

[b0Xcrash]

I took the tool kit out before my 1st track day on the 400. I used velcro to secure the lithium battery to the tray.
I like to have a tool kit with me when I ride on the street, never know what can/will happen. It fits perfectly in the
battery tray with the lithium battery.:clap: I did use that spanner tool or whatever it’s called to adjust the height of the gixxer shock. Worked like a charm! I will be flipping that shock mount within the next week or so. I don’t like the look of the lower rear. I may even get the Spears shock mounts if I don’t think it’s high enough.

Flipping the shock mount will be enough, the shock mounts flipped when I measured the distance between flipped and normal was like 14.xx mm difference so I said call it 15mm, so if we loose 5mm to the lower shock and raise 15-14mm we should be at a gain of 9-10mm in the rear on the GSX-R shock which puts us at what the Spears raises the stock shock...which it feels spot on to me, I am all for the Spears mount but with loosing 5mm on the GSX-R shock it seemed gaining 10 was better than 5

 

[JFMNINJA400]

Flipping the shock mount will be enough, the shock mounts flipped when I measured the distance between flipped and normal was like 14.xx mm difference so I said call it 15mm, so if we loose 5mm to the lower shock and raise 15-14mm we should be at a gain of 9-10mm in the rear on the GSX-R shock which puts us at what the Spears raises the stock shock...which it feels spot on to me, I am all for the Spears mount but with loosing 5mm on the GSX-R shock it seemed gaining 10 was better than 5

So how did you get the battery tray out or did you do it a different way? I tried for like 30 minutes to get the tray out today and no luck. I am thinking about taking the shock out of the mount and see if I can twist the mounts loose. Seems they were kind loose. I will see if that works tomorrow.

 

[b0Xcrash]

So how did you get the battery tray out or did you do it a different way? I tried for like 30 minutes to get the tray out today and no luck. I am thinking about taking the shock out of the mount and see if I can twist the mounts loose. Seems they were kind loose. I will see if that works tomorrow.

That might work nicely! I would do that for sure.....I took the tank off, battery out, think I removed the tank bracket, and all that jazz, moved the ECU out of the way and managed to get at the bolts, was not fun. I would have to look at it again, it was so much work to get at those two silly little bolts I blocked it out of my memory step by step.

But your way probably 20 times easier :grin:

 

[JFMNINJA400]

That might work nicely! I would do that for sure.....I took the tank off, battery out, think I removed the tank bracket, and all that jazz, moved the ECU out of the way and managed to get at the bolts, was not fun. I would have to look at it again, it was so much work to get at those two silly little bolts I blocked it out of my memory step by step.

But your way probably 20 times easier :grin:

I gave it a shot and not enough room to spin the shock mount. It hits the casing or whatever that metal part is. Oh well I go with the other method of removing the tank and everything else. Might go for a spin tomorrow, looks like the last warm day for awhile here in NY. THANKS for your help!

 

[b0Xcrash]

I gave it a shot and not enough room to spin the shock mount. It hits the casing or whatever that metal part is. Oh well I go with the other method of removing the tank and everything else. Might go for a spin tomorrow, looks like the last warm day for awhile here in NY. THANKS for your help!

Yeah no problem, now that I think of it I might have tried that myself and it did not work, I know I tried a bunch of stuff before I broke down and just started taking stuff off until I could get to them :grin:

 

[yarddog]

I guess I lucked up when I swapped my shock. My bike was already apart since I had removed the ecu a week before. Hard part was already done.

 

[thegenius46m]

For those of you who changed the spring out on this shock, what are you all using for spring compressors? Most the options I'm finding seem like pretty cheap quality and kinda sketch honestly. Lol.