Best Mod ever.....FREEEEE
 

Ok I just got through making new dog bones 7/8 of an inch(22mm) shorter center to center of the holes. It raised the seat 28mm and the tail at the farthest point 73ish mm. Looks fantastic.

Also dropped the front tubes 12.5mm through the triples. This lowered the nose 15.5 mm.

Now the best part. The handling now is absolutely on rails. It transitions like a bolt of lightning even through the fast bumpy stuff. Now my bike tracks through the fastest of turns like my buddies Gixxer 600. Not only did this make the bike look really sporty but it totally changed the way it drives.

This mod cost me about 5 dollars and 2 hours of my time and was extremely easy. If anyone wants to know how or see pics just email me. Oh yeah the bolt that holds the dogbone to the swing arm was so siezed I had to cut it off with a side cutter. And then drill it free of the dogbone. No biggie though.

Let me know what you guys think.

Did you set the front sag after altering the front?

Yeah its now at 25mm instead of 22 from before. I put 15mm worth of preload spacers in a long time ago when I put new springs and oil in. But yes I did check it. I think a lot of people don't take sag into account enough when they are doing mods and then think their mod sucked because the top out their suspension through the bumpies.

Oh yeah I had to set my stock rear shock to #3 preload to make it soft as I wanted it before the mod it was on #6. Guess this is from the shorter distance and less leverage on the shock. Or something.

Interesting.....any pics? Templates?

All the pics are still on my digital cam. I can email them to you but I don't have a website to upload them to. I can make some for you for free if you want but you would have to pay shipping. I can also make you some templates as well if you like. The old dogbones are made of some type of aluminum alloy. I made mine out of 1/4" steel plate so mine weigh as much as the others and they are smaller. Dont think the weight thing is much of an issue though.

Im about to install a Gixxer 750 shock so I will let you know what changes and how it handles after that.
My email is kevin.penland@evergreenmedical.com

Kev650r you have a email waiting...

Ok I will check it soon...but I have to go out of town for a couple of days so if I don't respond right away bare with me.

22mm shorter sounds like a lot, what hole centre distance did you end up with? My standard bones were plated mild steel, replacements were ally (from JHS), perhaps your bike had a lowering kit fitted before you had it?

I bought it new. I was guessing about the aluminum but I have worked with different types of metal and I think its aluminum and something else but who knows for sure except Suzuki. My dogbones originally were over 4 inches i guess about 110-115 mm center to center but thats an approximation. I don't have them with me.

Jonacal How much taller is your bike with the after market bones in?

dunno what model you lot are working on but a standard set of pre 03 dog bones are 105 mm centre to centre and a set of raising links are 100 mm cnetre to centre and this will lift the seat heat about 1\2 an inch or 12mm

with a gixxer srad 600 shock in you cant put raising links in or it tops out the suspension >>>>>

in that the swing arm is at its lowest point in travel that it will go and its that long since i tried this it binds on the actual shock i think ( but like i say its a long time a go )

not sure about the 750 shock but just check you dont bound out or doing the top outs over bumps and hump backs worst case scenario could damage the shock or constant hammering on the ally arm could fracture it

just my 2 worth

i have thought of some 102mm just to give me a little more lift from my cans though

I don't see how shorter bones would top out the suspension. You are preety much forcing the swingarm around counterclockwise until they line up. At least thats how I see it in my mind. But the swingarm will only go so far away from the rear section. I could see how the shock could be longer and not allow for the swingarm to come down far enough for my shorter dogbone to reach. But other than that I don't see the problem. I need a little clearer explanation. Im not the quickest of whits.

by topping out i mean that your swing arm comes to its maximum downward travel without any linkage connected as by this time it will fowl some where

topping being relevant as with your swing arm being at its lowest level your seat with dogbones connected would be at its top level

plus i did mention it was for an 02 and im not sure what version you are on about

It's an 01 model. My ambient sag at the rear without rider is 28mm. Because I softened the shock to allow for more leverage with shorter dogbones. I just got my Gixxer shock in the mail today so she's going in tonight. I will redo the pics and let everyone know how she handles after that.

Richie is going to help me get everything posted with the how to and pics so that everyone can see.

I really like the handling of the higher rear and lower front. The looks are a bonus.