rear shock change

[DaveP]

I was always under the impression that a shock of a gsxr would be an upgrade for me on my sv.... but looking at this list below then only one or two would benifit my needs.... basically if i want to stiffen the ride up from the stock sv shock i need to select something below the 2nd gen shock...

Or am i getting something totally wrong. Sorry if this sounds dumb but i am still learning with all this stuff.


YEAR MOTORCYCLE LENGTH SPRING
===== ========= ===== =====

01-03 GSXR600 325.5mm 325#

96-99 GSXR750 345mm 375#

97-00 GSXR600 375mm 375#

00-03 GSXR750 325mm 400#

04 GSXR750 332.5mm 408#

04 GSXR600 332.5mm 425#

01-02 GSXR1000 329.5mm 430#

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

05 GSX-R 1000 332.5mm 450#

03-04 GSXR1000 332.5mm 480#

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

04-07 ZX10R 338mm 540#

03-04 ZX6R(636) 340mm 540#

99-03 GSXR1300(Busa) 330mm 700#



Dave

[Caddy2000]

......?
I just bought an Ohlins, but that was when I had money.

[Bibio]

no. the 1st-2nd gen are there only as a reference to original.

just pick the shock from the list that best fits your needs. if the seat hight is to low fit a longer length shock, to tall fit a lower length shock.

if you are a pie eater then fit a stiffer spring, a lettuce muncher fit a softer spring.

strange, i added an 08 gsxr1000 shock to the list specifically coz it suits short ppl but it seems to have disappeared...

[Luckypants]

Fitting a GSX-R shock (or similar replacement shock) does two things.



It changes the spring stiffness. This will affect how well the shock handles your weight and the weight of your passenger/luggage. Obviously a stiffer spring will make it better suited to heavier riders / luggage etc, a softer spring will make it better for light weight riders.
It changes the damping (usually for the better) characteristics. An SV shock has pretty basic damping and is soon overwhelmed on bumpy fast roads. A GSXR shock has more upmarket parts that allow more damping while flowing more oil / gas so less likely to overheat and become overwhelmed. You get compression damping (SV has none) and rebound damping, both of which are adjustable.

For you mate, a stiffer spring is a must as the SV shock will struggle with anything over 12st or so. From the list an 03-04 GSXR shock may be the best option. However if you have money to spend an Ohlins or similar built for your weight will be even better still. Flymo's Elka unit is pure sex, but his is a race bike, so maybe too exotic for the road. A Hagon unit sprung for your weight is a step up from SV shock without going to all the expense of Ohlins etc.

[Tallguy]

Being somewhere the wrong side of 18st plus a heavy set of leathers and armour plus regular small but significant luggage, occasional pillion, I really feel my 25k miles original shock is on it's last legs. Got a lower mileage replacement original SV shock to do soon, but sounds like I need something much beefier. Did I read somewhere that a Hayabusa shock is a good choice for the huskier gentleman? Easy to fit?

[yorkie_chris]

Ask badger how he went on with his GSXR1000 shock. I seem to remember fitting a GSXR1000 K5 one for paul the 6th which might be about right too.

[xXBADGERXx]

I bought a K3 or K4 GSXR1000 shock from Flymo , shock gave a tad more height than normal and I weigh 17stone and it has coped admirably with pillions and luggage as well . I have not changed a single setting from the ones Flymo had it set to . All you need to do is buy the bottom GSXR bolt and you are good to go . Some people may also need to cut a little bit out of the bottom of the battery box on some models to give the top of the reservoir a bit of room . All in all it should take you about an hour to hour and a half to do :)

[xXBADGERXx]

If you can get to me Dave , I have an Abba stand and plenty`o`tools here and can give you a hand ........... well , you make the Tea and I`ll fit it ;)

[Binky]

Why not upgrade to a curvy 1st generation shock? ;)

[xXBADGERXx]

Because anything off a Curvy would give a Pointy AIDS

[Binky]

Because anything off a Curvy would give a Pointy AIDS

Advantage In Doing Stuff?

[Razor]

Ignore him, the curvy has the expensive frame the pointy has the cheap mass produced one. He's just jealous.

[Binky]

In terms of shocks. I recently bought a ZX10 shock, but am yet to fit it.

I did however, with the help of Spiers, change my knackered standard curvy shock for a similar but far lower mileage equivalent. The difference was immense.

It was much firmer then even the old one before it started to leak...

Looking forward to finally fitting the ZX-10 shock to hopefully see yet further improvements. :D

[Razor]

I like my hagon currently, it's better than any OE shock I've had, that includes the brand new one I got off fleabay a few years back.

[paiste]

In terms of shocks. I recently bought a ZX10 shock, but am yet to fit it.

I did however, with the help of Spiers, change my knackered standard curvy shock for a similar but far lower mileage equivalent. The difference was immense.

It was much firmer then even the old one before it started to leak...

Looking forward to finally fitting the ZX-10 shock to hopefully see yet further improvements. :D

Binky. I've just fitted my 05 zx6r shock, which I'm lead to believe are the same, or similar. I'm sure we weigh about the same so when you've done all the hard work and sorted out the compression and rebound settings etc can you let me know what they are:smt003

[Binky]

Binky. I've just fitted my 05 zx6r shock, which I'm lead to believe are the same, or similar. I'm sure we weigh about the same so when you've done all the hard work and sorted out the compression and rebound settings etc can you let me know what they are:smt003

More personal preference isn't it and what you feel comfortable with as a rider?

Plus you probably know as much as me anyway.

[Mr Speirs]

Just PM'd you Paiste regarding shock settings.

Binky what are you not doing at work?

[Tallguy]

Cheers guys, will get the low mileage original SV shock in, then maybe save up for a GSXR front end and rear shock. Any thoughts on how much a complete GSXR front might cost? Or do I need to start hanging around bike cafes with my swiss army knife, hope no-one notices me fiddling with their forks? Ooer mrs...

[DaveP]

Cheers for the help chaps... And badger.. i may well take you up on that off whent he time comes!

Dave

[Luckypants]

If you can get to me Dave , I have an Abba stand and plenty`o`tools here and can give you a hand ........... well , you make the Tea and I`ll fit it ;)

Dave the same offer here, or I'll come down to Badgers to drink tea, state the obvious and generally **** about while you guys work on the bike! :D

[DaveP]

nice one!!

Dave

[flymo]

If you can get to me Dave , I have an Abba stand and plenty`o`tools here and can give you a hand ........... well , you make the Tea and I`ll fit it ;)

An Abba stand? That all sounds a bit too organised :-) Whats wrong with dodgy bits of rope from the garage roof?

Seriously though, this is one of those jobs that is made 100 times easier with the correct tools, the Abba stand is just the job.

[M65]

Ont eh table on the first page, what do the numbers on the "Spring" column mean? Im presuming spring stiffness but can someone please confirm.

Im after a replacement shock for my K3 which is still on its original unit. At about 15 stone, then plus leathers etc, what would you recommend? I need options!!

Cheers peeps

[yorkie_chris]

the numbers like #510 etc. are spring rates in pounds per inch of compression AFAIK.

Gixxer thou one probably a good bet for you. Not sure how different the K3 subframe is with regards the reservoir as I haven't done one. Can't see it being too different to the K4 onward.

[M65]

So basically, the bigger the number, the more pies you can eat??

[DaveP]

the numbers like #510 etc. are spring rates in pounds per inch of compression AFAIK.

Gixxer thou one probably a good bet for you. Not sure how different the K3 subframe is with regards the reservoir as I haven't done one. Can't see it being too different to the K4 onward.


With the k3 having a higher rear subframe i "think" that the only difference is there is slightly more space... But only slightly. And that box with the tool kit aint there!

Dave

[xXBADGERXx]

With the k3 having a higher rear subframe i "think" that the only difference is there is slightly more space... But only slightly. And that box with the tool kit aint there!

Dave

In a nutshell , yep . Fitting a GSXR shock to a K3 is slightly easier than any other model afterwards , but not by much . More to do with the cutting of the battery box than anything else .

[M65]

Would something with a stiffer spring than the GSXR1000 be better though? On the table, the standard SV shock is 430# and the Gixxer shock is only 50 higher at 480#. Will that make much difference really?

Also, if the GSXR1000 shock IS the one to go for, what year is best, or does that boil down to preference of spring stiffness?

[xXBADGERXx]

It is a vast difference in the way the bike handles , it is also not down to just the spring on the shock , it can be down to how the internals work and how it is valved etc , A standard GSXR1000 k4 shock beats the cack out of the SV one by a Golden mile .

[northwind]

Why not upgrade to a curvy 1st generation shock? ;)

Because it'll still be s**t :scratch:

[Nobbylad]

I was always under the impression that a shock of a gsxr would be an upgrade for me on my sv.... but looking at this list below then only one or two would benifit my needs.... basically if i want to stiffen the ride up from the stock sv shock i need to select something below the 2nd gen shock...

Or am i getting something totally wrong. Sorry if this sounds dumb but i am still learning with all this stuff.


YEAR MOTORCYCLE LENGTH SPRING
===== ========= ===== =====

01-03 GSXR600 325.5mm 325#

96-99 GSXR750 345mm 375#

97-00 GSXR600 375mm 375#

00-03 GSXR750 325mm 400#

04 GSXR750 332.5mm 408#

04 GSXR600 332.5mm 425#

01-02 GSXR1000 329.5mm 430#

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

05 GSX-R 1000 332.5mm 450#

03-04 GSXR1000 332.5mm 480#

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

04-07 ZX10R 338mm 540#

03-04 ZX6R(636) 340mm 540#

99-03 GSXR1300(Busa) 330mm 700#



Dave

Any more additions to the list i.e. GSXR1000 K8/9 etc?

[madness]

All in all it should take you about an hour to hour and a half to do :)

Are those animal hours?

I've been fitting a K4 750 Gixer shock to my K4 SV tonight and after 3.5 hours I'm still not finished. Granted I did have all the rear shock linkage off to clean and re-grease the bearings. The pain in the backside bit is removing the undertray so that you can make a decent job of trimming it to clear the new shock. Now all that remains to be done is to figure out how to support the battery to stop it resting on the shock reservoir and then how to get the seat re-fitted now that the battery sits higher up. Has anyone had to cut plastic from the underside of the seat? Battery could go on it's side I suppose, but the ECU would need resiting then.

[Bibio]

Are those animal hours?

Now all that remains to be done is to figure out how to support the battery to stop it resting on the shock reservoir

Has anyone had to cut plastic from the underside of the seat?

scavenge a bit of polystyrene. local chippy (fish box) building site (cavity insulation) kitchen fitter/joiner (appliance packaging) or a bit of 3 by 2 and shape it.

no. you just need to cut down the foam block...

[CheGuevara]

Any more additions to the list i.e. GSXR1000 K8/9 etc?

Here's my personal list. Highlighted bits were just me narrowing down my best options (for a pointy) with regards to maintaining similar length and an appropriate rate. I decided on, and used the 05/06 ZX6RR shock (I'm 6'4" and ~240lbs + gear) -which seems to work well.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t247/bigfastyellow2/SV650/ShockSwapChart.jpg

[xXBADGERXx]

Are those animal hours?

I've been fitting a K4 750 Gixer shock to my K4 SV tonight and after 3.5 hours I'm still not finished.

I`m a time served fitter mate so I tend to be a tad quicker than most on getting stuff apart and putting it safe so that it goes back together in order , I`ve started jobs for mates and then sent them off to put the kettle on and they have come back with cups of Tea and the exclamation "Bloody Hell mate you got that off quick"

[_Stretchie_]

On this note, does anyone know of where to get reconditioned units??

I'm after getting a cheap as chips shock for the CBR400. I know you can swap them for a CBR600 shock which would give you a remote reservoir but then you have to cut a notch from the shock linkage to access one of the adjusters and move the coolant bottle up past the headstock racing styleee to accomodate for the remote adjuster.

But thought that someone must do a nice aftermarket shock for the CBR that just slots straight in. So I want a camels conkers shock for about £50

; )

[Lucas]

can you upgrade a curvy with one of these listed shock without having to cut back the battery box?

[northwind]

I don't think so. Well, some people have done outlandish relocations, bending the box downwards instead, but it's really not a better solution. But don't worry, the cut is really pretty trivial

[madness]

Finished my installation, apart from reconnecting the battery. I made an aluminium strap which goes under the battery and holds it a few millimetres above the shocks reservoir. The strap is pop-rivetted to the subframe. The battery now sits high enough to not only require the foam block to be removed from the underside of the seat, but I also had to hacksaw the two rectangular lumps off the bottom of the seat.
Hopefully should get out for a test ride over the next couple of days.

[Bikermike59]

Don't really fancy cutting it about to fit a new shock! :(
Any alternative?

[madness]

Don't really fancy cutting it about to fit a new shock! :(
Any alternative?

Hagon Shock or something very expensive with a remote reservoir. Even a Hagon is over £200. A GSXR or ZXR shock is about £40-50.

[Lucas]

A GSXR or ZXR shock is about £40-50.

which one & year needs the least mod on a curvy? cheers!

[yorkie_chris]

A hagon is an emulsion type shock, not in the same league.

ZX6R B1H

[Bikermike59]

Hagon Shock or something very expensive with a remote reservoir. Even a Hagon is over £200. A GSXR or ZXR shock is about £40-50.

Better get the dremel out then! :(

[Lucas]

ZX6R B1H

so that is the 2003/4 one... is the 04-07 ZX10R 338mm 540# the same? (easy to fit etc)

are the later 05 onwards no good for a curvy sv650s (with me on)? only asking as there are buckets full of them on evil bay :smt017

(i'm a fairly standard height of 5'7 at 11st)

Cheers

[Luckypants]

is the 04-07 ZX10R 338mm 540# the same? (easy to fit etc)
Cheers

Yes, virtually identical to the ZX6 B1H shock. I fitted one to my curvy - it was so much better than stock. Easy to fit, small cut to battery box for the reservoir and then raise battery on a foam block so it is not rubbing on the shock.

[Lucas]

Yes, virtually identical to the ZX6 B1H shock. I fitted one to my curvy - it was so much better than stock. Easy to fit, small cut to battery box for the reservoir and then raise battery on a foam block so it is not rubbing on the shock.

sweet, thanks :D (logs on to e bay)

does sound easier to fit, have you got any pics of your crafty work? cheers!

oh, you can see my rear shock giving up at 1:58 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbViEuG2zV0) (mind you it is 10 years old with 30k on it)

[Luckypants]

No pics, but I seem to remember that Mister C did a photo step by step guide last year, try a search.


Edit: here it is... http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=113667 (fitting a ZX6R shock but the ZX10 is fitted the same way)

[Lucas]

eeer, I assume that a zx6r 05 onwards shock won't fit a curvy (as its not on the list)

[CheGuevara]

eeer, I assume that a zx6r 05 onwards shock won't fit a curvy (as its not on the list)


Check here near the bottom and compare with the rate and length at the top for the curvy http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php?p=2011609&postcount=34

[yorkie_chris]

I have 05-06 ZX6R shock fitted. Bit short but it works OK.

[dyzio]

Better get the dremel out then! :(
Honestly, the cutting isn't that hard, but you'll do better with a Stanley knife.


I have 05-06 ZX6R shock fitted. Bit short but it works OK.

Is that the C1H? Yours looked similar to what I had. Made the bike a wee bit lower.

[yorkie_chris]

C1H aye.

SRAD750 shock is way better length, but too soft.

[Lucas]

I'm just about 11st, will C1H be a bit too stiff having a rate of 9.7kg/mm (542lb/in)?

SV's being 9.1kg/mm (510lb/in)will there be a big difference?

I think am happy with sv's spring rate, but want better damping/rebound.

[Mr Speirs]

It won't be too stiff you will be fine with it and the adjustable compression damping and rebound will make it work much better than the sv shock for you.

[yorkie_chris]

If I was 11st and never took a pillion, I would use SRAD750 one all day.

[Lucas]

If I was 11st and never took a pillion, I would use SRAD750 one all day.

no SRAD750 shock on evil bay, not even any SRAD750 related stuff :rolleyes: where else can I find one?

[Lucas]

It won't be too stiff you will be fine with it and the adjustable compression damping and rebound will make it work much better than the sv shock for you.

i may go for it, depending on if I find anything on those SRAD750 :D

oh, is £50 a good price for a C1H?

[yorkie_chris]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-GSXR750-GSXR-750-SRAD-99-Rear-Shock-Shocker_W0QQitemZ150272680513QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK _Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item22fcf32241&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

What's that then, a paperweight? :-P

[Lucas]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Suzuki-GSXR750-GSXR-750-SRAD-99-Rear-Shock-Shocker_W0QQitemZ150272680513QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK _Motorcycle_Parts?hash=item22fcf32241&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

What's that then, a paperweight? :-P

silly me :smt053

cheers!

[yorkie_chris]

SRAD is the GSXR from 96 to 99. Search around there will be one cheaper than that.

[Mr Speirs]

Yorkie, are you sure a GSXR shock fits in a curvy? I thought they fouled the swingarm?

[Lucas]

thanks chris, found a couple, but aren't SRAD's 375 rate a bit too soft compared to SV's 510 rate? :confused:

and would age effect a 96 spring's internals oils/gas, even with low mileage?

[Luckypants]

C1H aye.

SRAD750 shock is way better length, but too soft.

thanks chris, found a couple, but aren't SRAD's 375 rate a bit too soft compared to SV's 510 rate? :confused:

and would age effect a 96 spring's internals oils/gas, even with low mileage?

HTH :cool:

[Lucas]

HTH :cool:

thanks :rolleyes: ;)

what about age effect on the internals/oils/gas of a 96 spring's (13 years:smt001)

[yorkie_chris]

It is soft yes, but you are fairly light, and because it is longer if the SV linkage is rising-rate this will make it "stiffer". Perhaps negating the spring stiffness a little.

As for the age, yes the oil will be old and thin. You can service them, or just accept that the SV one is far worse due to no proper gas action. I went for option 2 and it was an improvement. Useless 2 -up though!

Yorkie, are you sure a GSXR shock fits in a curvy? I thought they fouled the swingarm?

Had mine fitted for about 5k miles.

[Mr Speirs]

Furry muff. I just read somewhere someone had tried to fit it and it fouled the swingarm, maybe it was a different year or summat.

[Lucas]

Thanks for your input guys, I now understand shocks better :smt023

I'll be going for a zx10r as the lenght/rate is similar to the sv's :D

cheers

[Domas]

Just fitted K4 GSXR 600 shock, to K4 Naked Pointy. I though i would share.

Used gsxr bottom bolt. Didn't grind it as there seemed to be enough clearance.

Needed to cut battery box, but strangely battery fitted in it's original position. I think it's because i have aftermarket undertray fitted and original was cut in half, and back end of it could move freely. So my whole battery box can kinda rock on 2 screws. Anyway battery fitted very tight, i hope shock won't grind a hole in it over time. I've put some piece of plastic bottle in between them.

And the upgrade... Can't recommend it enough. DO IT!
Got the shock here in lithuania for 40 quid, with <2k miles.

[xXBADGERXx]

Worth every penny Domas :) , I just dropped the rubber back in under my Battery as I have a K3 and a bit more room , the Reservoir does touch on it but the movement at the top of the shock is very minimal and very unlikely to wear through the battery , keep an eye on it every few months and you will see that the top pivots occasionally and that it is the bottom of the shock that travels more . I used the shock off a K4 GSXR1000 with the correct bottom bolt and paid £50 , the best single modification you can make , I then bagged some Maxton springs for the front and it transformed my bike into "Slightly worrying on some corners" to "Gimme more CORNERSSSSS , I DEMAND MORE CORNERS" :)

[Domas]

Nice.

Btw how do you adjust preload on GSXR shocks. The old adjuster from SV doesn't work. Do you buy one, make one or use some other method like screwdriver and hammer?

Mine is still a bit nervous in corners, need to set the sag right as the back end is way up I think. Adjusted oil weight, height and emulator preload 3rd time now. I'm getting close :)

[7755matt]

Mini hijack. If I'm just under 16stone fully kitted (obviously it's really heavy kit) would the 05/06 ZX6 shock be best, or something beefier?

[Luckypants]

Mini hijack. If I'm just under 16stone fully kitted (obviously it's really heavy kit) would the 05/06 ZX6 shock be best, or something beefier?

ZX6 / ZX10 Shock is the right length for the curvy but not the pointy, so what bike you got?

[7755matt]

Sorry. Keep forgetting that. It's a curvy

[Luckypants]

Well you could read the thread..... ;)

03-06 ZX6 (636) shock or 04-06 ZX10 shock fits great on a curvy and is about 10% stiffer than stock. I weighed about 16st in gear and zx10-r shock worked really well in the bike.

[LiamH]

New SV owner here....hello!

Just looking at the lists of shocks (here (http://forums.sv650.org/showpost.php?p=2011609&postcount=34)) to choose one for my curvy racebike. Just wondered if any are easier to fit by spacing out the battery box than others. ZX6R looks like the reservoir is smaller than the K8 GSXR...or it might just look that way.

It's got an SRAD shock at the moment. Way too soft but goes in without cutting the battery box, so I'd like something similar sized.

[Razor]

What about one of these? (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300350781577&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT)

[LiamH]

What about one of these? (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300350781577&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT)

Thanks for the link. Looks nice, but only adjustable for rebound damping.

[yorkie_chris]

And it is emulsion shock which is not good. Edit: maybe not

"Rebound" damper there will probably be bleed in both directions.

[barwel1992]

can some one post a pic of the cut battery box ? or will i not have to cut it on a k3 with a gixxer 1000 k5 shock ?

[xXBADGERXx]

You will have to cut on a K3 with the 1000 shock .
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v605/xXBADGERXx/EbayStuff007.jpg

I could have done mine better and tidier but I had to get the bike back together in a hurry

[barwel1992]

^^^ thats the pictre i have been after for like 3-4 days and couldent find one thanks verry verry much :) so what did you do with the batery did it just fit in without the feet on the seat

[xXBADGERXx]

It`s in my Shock Change thread :)

[barwel1992]

found you thread but nothing about the battery in there :/

:)

[xXBADGERXx]

Post number 4 in this thread http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=112527

[barwel1992]

is the 99 gsxr 1300 shock to hard for a 17stone + rider (pillion use as well and thats in gear)

[MF4]

Here's my personal list. Highlighted bits were just me narrowing down my best options (for a pointy) with regards to maintaining similar length and an appropriate rate. I decided on, and used the 05/06 ZX6RR shock (I'm 6'4" and ~240lbs + gear) -which seems to work well.

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t247/bigfastyellow2/SV650/ShockSwapChart.jpg

I've fitted a K6-k9 600 Gixer shock to my K5 SV, but I've also replaced the "dog bones" to raise the tail.. :cool:

It's a great shock but very difficult to setup properly :confused:

I think it's waste on a SV but... it gives a good feeling on track! :p

[barwel1992]

i keep been told a zx14r or zzr1400 shock is what i should go for on the svrider forum but they are to expensife :/

[xXBADGERXx]

Well you can pick the brains of everybody on either site til the cows come home , GSXR shocks have worked well for the Majority of us and some of us have used Kawasaki ones , I personally am a heavyweight , carry the Mrs on the back of the bike and have had it loaded up with luggage and my GSXR shock has coped admirably . I have left it on the settings that it was given to me in , and it has been fine for one up blatting , 2 up cruising on motorway speeds with luggage and 2 up slinging about on the twisties around North Wales ........... total price ?



£50 for the shock
£4:50 for the bolt

An hour and a half of my time and the best single modification you can make to an SV for the money .

[Dave20046]

£50 for the shock
£4:50 for the bolt

An hour and a half of my time and the best single modification you can make to an SV for the money .
Agree, I found uprated fork springs complemented it though. Not sure if everything was set up right but standard springs were bottoming the forks out and generally felt a bit wallowy.

[xXBADGERXx]

My front fork springs were not that bad , as if I had heavier oil in them , I bought my Front springs off Paul the 6th and Luckypants offered to do the swap for me . I went over to his gaff and he mentioned the bits he removed from claire`s bike and how he went about it and we just got the front end off and went for it . I can honestly say I was not sure if it was oil that came out ........ it was Brown Sludge , that was rinsed out with a jostle of Paraffin and left upside down , they were topped up with the right oil for me and we left about 98mm gap at the top . Don`t take that as gospel though for the gap , there is a thread on here about it somewhere , we left a smaller gap than the norm as that was my preference for the front end . After putting the bike back together , Luckypants set my sag and preload up and I went home and had serious doubts as to whether it was even worth it at all , that is until I went over a bump and the bike just ignored it , I was expecting shattered wrists but it absorbed it and carried on as if to say "come on , give me some stick you big Girly" . On the Ruthin to Denbigh road I was soon chasing down a guy on a Thundercat ? 600 Yamaha and overtook him . When we got to St.Asaph he was all goggle eyed at the traffic lights and said "What`s that you are on ?" . I merely replied "Just a lowly SV650 mate" and seperated from him to go off in a different direction ............. I think he was a bit shocked and was expecting a bigger capacity bike with more cylinders . The front end and back end have been impeccable in all conditions and no matter how hard I push it , I just feel that the combination of Flymo`s old shock , Paul the 6th`s front springs and Luckypants` help , I have a spot on handling SV for my abilities and preference .

[Dave20046]

My front fork springs were not that bad , as if I had heavier oil in them , I bought my Front springs off Paul the 6th and Luckypants offered to do the swap for me . I went over to his gaff and he mentioned the bits he removed from claire`s bike and how he went about it and we just got the front end off and went for it . I can honestly say I was not sure if it was oil that came out ........ it was Brown Sludge , that was rinsed out with a jostle of Paraffin and left upside down , they were topped up with the right oil for me and we left about 98mm gap at the top . Don`t take that as gospel though for the gap , there is a thread on here about it somewhere , we left a smaller gap than the norm as that was my preference for the front end . After putting the bike back together , Luckypants set my sag and preload up and I went home and had serious doubts as to whether it was even worth it at all , that is until I went over a bump and the bike just ignored it , I was expecting shattered wrists but it absorbed it and carried on as if to say "come on , give me some stick you big Girly" . On the Ruthin to Denbigh road I was soon chasing down a guy on a Thundercat ? 600 Yamaha and overtook him . When we got to St.Asaph he was all goggle eyed at the traffic lights and said "What`s that you are on ?" . I merely replied "Just a lowly SV650 mate" and seperated from him to go off in a different direction ............. I think he was a bit shocked and was expecting a bigger capacity bike with more cylinders . The front end and back end have been impeccable in all conditions and no matter how hard I push it , I just feel that the combination of Flymo`s old shock , Paul the 6th`s front springs and Luckypants` help , I have a spot on handling SV for my abilities and preference .
Sounds about right, it also reduced the dive on braking for me which gave me a lot more confidence in stopping (and therefore going!). Still not happy with the brakes though, going to give them a thorough service.

[xXBADGERXx]

Sounds about right, it also reduced the dive on braking for me which gave me a lot more confidence in stopping (and therefore going!). Still not happy with the brakes though, going to give them a thorough service.


Aaaah that is where you have hit the button on the head , my brakes gave me so much more confidance to squeeze progressively and a bit harder and relax them where necessary without the front end heading South . They give me good feedback and have now shown me how Weedy they really are as well , I have had to back off on some corners knowing full well that the brakes may not stop me in time for certain conditions ahead and it is not the initial action of the brakes that I have complaint with , it`s the amount of bite that just doesn`t seem to be quite there when required , almost like the pads are glazed a bit , a smidge more and I would be happy . It`s more a case of some different pads I expect as I reckon these are OEM ones and anyone that follows me knows sure well that I am not very Brake happy anyway and just tend to roll the throttle off and use engine braking to slow the bike down enough for some corners .

So it could be quite some time before I wear the front brake pads out , well , enough for me to let the Queen start blinking on the £20 notes in my wallet when I let daylight in there again :riding:

[yorkie_chris]

GSXR front ends rule. You can brake like a spastic.

[xXBADGERXx]

I think a change of pads will be enough for me Mate ;)

[Dave20046]

GSXR front ends rule. You can brake like a spastic.
They still concern me; a)parting with money I probably won't see a return on and b) how the frame will withstand the combination of an SV, gsxr forks and crashy mcgee
Thinking it's about time I bought that bloody gsxr.

[xXBADGERXx]

Springs and oil are good enough if you ask me for the money , it`s a case of diminishing returns .

[yorkie_chris]

Springs and oil are good enough if you ask me for the money , it`s a case of diminishing returns .

Exactly.

I say 80% of benefit is springs and oil. 10% for GSXR parts dialled in OK. 5% revalving it, last 5% would be traxxion gas charged cartridges and forged/carbon wheels.

Though I did the GSXR conversion for something like £15 after selling off the SV parts!

[xXBADGERXx]

Yeah you then get down to spending more and more money for smaller returns , but it`s in our nature to whittle away at these things until we achieve perfection , Some of us just have to draw the line and say "Nope not spending anymore in the pursuit of perfection" . Always reminds me of those guys that spend £30,000 on making some daft car go like the clappers and run rings around a Porsche and then flog it for £7,000 with no chance of getting any of the money back . And what do they with that £7,000 . They go and buy a Nissan Micra with it and then do the same again , it`s in their nature to Engineer perfection into things not designed for that purpose . They could have gone out and bought a Porsche in the first place , but where is the fun in that ? It`s the same with us I suppose , the SV is the single most modified bike I have ever seen , I am not saying that is fact , but it`s one of those bikes that is very adaptable and I am always scanning bikes with an eye on detail to see if anyone has done anything unique to make it better for them .

[Nobbylad]

This little puppy arrived safely at mine this week

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a161/nobbylad/Image0040.jpg

Yum...yum!