For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

I just read a great article on suspension setup from sportrider.com And I know that there a quite a few of us on here who consider suspension setup a black art that only a few people know how to do so I figured I'd post a link to the article for all to read. We (Stan Deuce and I) want to get a suspension only day set up too so we can figure out this black art together. Anyone interested?

Link

The article has all sorts of great info on treminology to setups to trouble shooting to reccommended setups. I made a printer friendly version in word for anyone who would like to print it out. Click the link below.

Link to my printer friendly version

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Here's a pic of the 2003 gsxr 600 rear shock I just recieved...

http://i3.ebayimg.com/02/i/01/7a/69/05_1.JPG

We'll see how it fits on the SV this weekend since there has been some speculation on the matter.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

for some reason, those dog bones look WAY too long. You'll probably have to use the SV linkage instead of that one. Not positive though...
Definitely have to chop through the battery box, right?

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

The dog bones shouldn't be an issue since the didn't ship anything but the shock after I bought it even though they show the whole thing in the pic and said nothing about them not being included. I was planning on usind just the shock anyhow I guess.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

That shock is gonna be way too short. I believe the stock SV shock is 337 mm long. The 2003 GSX-R600 shock is gonna be 325 mm long. You'll lose 12 mm, which translates to around 36 mm at the rear wheel (1.5 inches or so). Also, it'll have around a 400 pound spring on it, where the first generation SV needs upwards of 500 lb/in.

So you're back end will really be sagging. This will increase the rake and trail at the front wheel - which will cause your bike to turn in less quickly. You'll gain more straight line stability, but that means you'll lose the flickability you have right now.

You should be looking for a shock that is taller than the stock SV shock. This will raise the rear end a tad and give you better turn in and more flickability.

I'm no pro at this, I'm hardly knowledgeable on the topic, but from what I've read when I searched for the right shock for my SV, this is what I've come to know.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

good points

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

I measured and you're right the shock is too short... after doing some reading on svrider.com I've decided that I'm probably going to go for an ohlins rear shock. Since they reccommend re-valving and re-springing for any 190+ rider I was looking to drop weight to 210 maybe but that will be really skinny for a guy with my build and I can't imagine going lower than that. So if I add the re-valving and re-springing cost into the equation I might as well go with an ohlins.

But we are defineately losing track of the reason I made this post I wanted to know if anybody else was interested in trying to dial in their suspension this weekend. I am still going to try and dial in my stock suspension and I'm sure that Stan is up for it too. I don't think deuce will be able to but he might just come since his bike is at sherers (spelling) with an oil leak. I am definately going to try and set the static sag and go from there.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

I'll be in the Dells at an indoor waterpark this weekend. Next weekend is open for me if anyone can help with suspension then.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

I'm gone the nest 2 weekends...as I mentioned to Spud earlier, I'll be around the weekend of April 10th. I would like to participate in this event as well. But if I can't make it, no big deal.

Juan..get the Ohlins and don't look back! Cyclemall probably still has the best deal. Look around though.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

I've read the Penske is supposedly better, but I'm no expert. Here are some threads on SV shocks:

http://www.socalsvriders.org/forums/...ghlight=Penske

http://www.socalsvriders.org/forums/...nske+Group+buy

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Ohlins looks better, IMO. As far as performance...you can't go wrong with either...as long as they are fully adjustable (ride height, preload, compression, rebound). Ride height is a big one...which you can't change on a GSXR shock...without a complete re-spring/re-valve, and even then it isn't adjustable.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

I've talked with Kevin (NSR) and he's in... we'll just figure out our suspensions and go for a scoot.

Spud and Quattro which ever weekend works for you is good... I'm willing to help or use my place...

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Here's more good reading for your brains:

Setting Sag: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/G...Tarticle2.html

Preload: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/G...Tarticle5.html

Rebound Damping: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/G...Tarticle3.html

Comp Damping: http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/G...Tarticle4.html

From Paul Thede...Race Tech. He knows his stuff...and these articles are pretty easy to follow.

The weekend of April 10th works best for me, but if you guys want to get together earlier, I understand. I'll just be gone both upcoming weekends.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

If you still want to save money, you should look for a Kawasaki 636 shock on eBay. They're 340 mm long and have a 560 lb/in spring on them. That would be perfect for your application.

Here's one from eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=35592

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Quattro, after doing 4-5 bikes\sv's we'll be experts :lol: ... When you're ready come on down.... :ytiller:

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

That might work better for me too, b/c I may have a wedding to attend next weekend.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Will that work and improve performance much for our bikes? What's stock?

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Is that a 636 or a 636r?

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

The shock is the same on both bikes. And yes, superspud, it would improve the ride of your bike.....it's a way better shock than the SV has.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Well... I just acquired a 636 rear shock and it's on it's way... Here's a peek.

http://i20.ebayimg.com/03/i/01/8d/fc/c0_1_b.JPG

It looks similar to an 03 gsxr 600 shock but I guess they're both made by showa and you probably can't see a 15mm difference in a picture. I couldn't pass up the savings on an ohlins without giving it a shot if anything it's a little better till I can afford that Ohlins shock I've been dying to get.

So I probably won't be monkeying around with my suspension until I get that installed. But I will be there to help others. See you all there.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

where?

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Stans on saturday.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Let me know how it goes. It looks like there's three or four more to be had at a reasonable price.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

This morning there were two that I saw on ebay one I got the guy to end his auction early for me I paid him $58 plus $12 shipping I paid a little more because the seemedpretty scarce. Number wise it all looks legit. Thanks to AvidSV for the hookup on the info. I'll definately let you know how it goes.

Re: For the suspension setup illiterate...
 

Ah, so that was you. I saw it for a buck then when I refreshed the page it said auction ended and I was like WTF...

Yeah, let me know and hopefully I can snipe one of these other two auctions for a decent price.