How To fit a ZX6 Shock on a Curvy (With Pics)

[mister c]

Ok got my ZX6r Shock & thought I would do a step by step guide on how to fit it.
The one that I received from Sammy was the older variant, so was harder to fit than later model shocks.


First off you need to remove the side panels with a 3mm Allen Key.


Now remove the seat with the 2 bolts underneath


Remove the battery.


Remove the screws that hold the bodywork on (including the grabrail)



Now release the screws that hold the rear mudguard on. 4 Screws on the underneath of the rear subframe.


Before you undo the shock absorber you will need to find something to hold the top part of the bike up. I have seen a few different ways including an engine crane & a couple of boxes & a plank of wood, but I used this method & it worked brilliantly. An axle stand either side & I lifted the bike onto them.


Now I took one of the bolts out of the Dog legs underneath & let them fall free to expose the bottom shock mount which I unscrewed & removed the bolt.



Undo the Fuel tank hinge bolts & move it out of the way.


Remove the top shock mounting bolt & remove the SV Shock.


Looking at the 2 shocks side by side, there isn't a lot of difference. The bottom mount on the ZX shock isn't threaded, so you will need a slightly longer bolt & nut.



Fitting is basically the reverse of taking the old one out. Now the hard bit starts. The shock reservoir is where the battery should be. On the newer models it faces the other way, so is easier to fit.


I had to cut the battery box to accommodate the reservoir & then found that the battery wouldn't fit whichever way I tried. Some people have made their own battery boxes, I decided to try the battery out of my CB500 Trackbike which is smaller & found that it fitted placed on it's side & the fuse box relocated to the bottom of the battery box.


it was still a very tight fit putting the riders seat back on,so I removed the rubber bungs from the underside of the seat & it fits exactly


Put the bodywork back on & Jobs done The next stage is to set the shock up, but that is on another thread.

Hope this helps. Like I say, the newer model shocks from the ZX6 & ZX10 are quite a lot easier to fit, so I would recommend using those

[dizzyblonde]

Maybe an wally question, but, is the battery ok on its side? I always thought they had to be right way up....but then again, I know nowt about that sorta stuff, which is why I ask

Originally Posted by dizzyblonde

Maybe an wally question, but, is the battery ok on its side? I always thought they had to be right way up....but then again, I know nowt about that sorta stuff, which is why I ask

Thats what i was thinking

does it make a difference since its a solid state battery? i.e. no fluids?

[yorkie_chris]

It's not a solid state battery, it's a lead acid one, but the standard SV one's are sealed lead acid once filled, so you should be alright with a sealed one sat sideways.

So for this mod to work you have to replace your battery? is the smaller cb500 battery up to the job?

Does the bike site lower or higher? The reason i ask is i have clearance issues with my twin renegades

[yorkie_chris]

You can use the SV battery with the b1h shocks (03-04 zxr)

Chris can you advise what sort of money i should be looking to pay for a B1H shock and if it will effect the height of the bike?

[yorkie_chris]

50 quid or less including postage. Maybe a little more for a very low mileage one?

AFAIK a small height increase, but not daft.

[mister c]

I've had no issue with the battery. I was worried about putting it on it's side, but with it being sealed it hasn't leaked & works fine. Bike starts even with the lights on, so I will see what happens over the next few days of riding.
Push comes to shove I will make a box for it, but if it continues to work I'll leave it alone.
Later Shocks can be had for as little as £50 off Ebay. A brand new 07 ZX6 shock went for £53 on there last week. A lot easier to fit than this type as well. I've noticed that mine has raised about an inch, that's all