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By AndyW Mar2005 NB:
2003 onwards GSXR rear shock absorbers have the reservoir on the
opposite side to stock SV1000 shocks and pre 2003 GSXR shocks. The
GSXR shocks do not fit the Naked SV1000 due to the tool/battery box
location. I've installed a 2003 shock but photos
of a 2002 gsxr shock install can be seen
here
First things first, an extract from the SV1000 Suzuki Workshop
Manual (6-50 onwards):
NB: "Rear cushion rod" = 'Dogbone' (A) Nut 14mm
Bolt head 14mm
(C) Nut 14mm Bolt head 17mm
(G) Nut 12mm Bolt head 14mm Tips:
1) Whilst not necessary, the help of a buddy is a good idea and
makes life much easier (I did my own shock upgrade by myself but
also helped Stevezuki install his gixxer shock.....much easier, much
quicker) 2) Depending on the age of your bike and
how much wet weather it's seen, some time before you intend to do
the job, consider brushing any 'crud' off the lower suspension
mounting bolts and soaking them with WD40 to ease any corrosion.
3) Again not necessary but the job will be much easier to do if the
rear wheel is removed together with the swingarm mudguard and/or
hugger. A good opportunity to clean those bits that are hard to get
to and carry out some preventative maintenance -
Wheel Bearing / Spindle
Maintenance 4) Use of an Abba Stand or similar
DIY method of securely holding the rear of the bike off the ground
with the swingarm/suspension 'unloaded' You can see
why (3) and (4) above make sense......
everything is easy to get at:
Step 1
Support the swingarm so that the rear suspension is unloaded and the
shock is in a neutral state, neither under load or compression i.e.
not supporting the weight of the swingarm or the swingarm raised too
far. I wedged a suitable length of wood between one of the paddock
stand bobbin mounting points and the floor (note, you don't want to
wedge the swingarm too tightly or the shock will be in compression)
Step 2
Remove the 10mm bolt that holds the chain guide in place under the
swingarm (blue arrow in photo below) the reason will be clear when
you pull the upper Dogbone retaining bolt. Undo the upper Dogbone
retaining bolt and withdraw the bolt (red arrow in photo below). I
put some rag up through the swingarm around the shock at this point
so that nothing gets marked or scratched when the shock is pulled
through. Swing the Dogbones down out of the way...there is no need
to undo their lower mounting. (Note for anyone
interested, the lower Dogbone mounting bolt can only be withdrawn
after the top mount has been undone and the lower shock mount bolt
removed so that the 'cushion lever' can be swung down giving
clearance below the exhaust for the bolt to be pulled)
Step 3
Undo the lower shock retaining bolt, remove the nut but you won't be
able to pull the bolt yet. Undo the top shock retaining bolt.
You'll see from the photo below why removal of the wheel and
mudguard/hugger again makes life a lot easier, space to get a
spanner or ratchet on the bolt head is limited. There is a hole in
the frame on the right side to slide a ratchet extension bar
through....you'll need to put the 14mm socket on the nut first as
this won't fit through the hole ;-)
Step 4
Whilst supporting the shock (buddy comes in handy here :-), withdraw
the top mounting bolt. You will now be able to lower the shock so
that the bottom retaining bolt is clear of the exhaust and can be
pulled out. Half way
there................
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Step 5
Before installing your new shiny shock it's a good idea to
protect it by taping some cloth round it so that nothing gets
marked or scratched on installing. Remember the reservoir will
point to the left as you face forward for 2003 onwards GSXR
shocks.
To pass the top of the shock through the swing arm, hold the
shock at an angle of about 45 degrees with the lower end of it
under the right side of the swing arm something like the diagram
on the right.
As the shock comes through the swing arm
bring it more upright and rotate it clockwise so that the
reservoir is biased to the left as you face the front of
the bike (2003 onwards shocks). Insert the top mounting bolt
from the left side to hold the shock temporarily - don't put
the nut on yet. |
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NB: All bolts are inserted
from the left side of the bike.
Step 6
Attach the shock lower mount to the 'cushion lever' and reattach the
Dogbones to their upper mounting point - this is where you might be
glad the shock's top mount bolt has not been done up. You may need
to pull the top mounting bolt to make life easier aligning the
Dogbones to their mounting point. If so, once the Dogbone mounting
bolt is in place realign the top of the shock and re-insert the
bolt. Step 7
Tighten all fixings to the specified torque setting - it will depend
on the size/shape of the head/socket on you torque wrench as to
whether you can get it on nut of the upper Dogbone mounting
bolt.....I only just managed to get mine on with a bit of fiddling.
Re-check all mounting bolts.
About time for another photo............
Shock, wrapped for safety, loosely installed, Dogbones still
hanging:
Reinstall you wheel etc and take a gentle test ride before returning
to check that all mounting bolts are secure. For
2003 onwards GSXR shocks you will find that the damping adjusters
are now on the left of the bike (Compression - top / rebound -
bottom)
  
Not really necessary but I'll finish off with a final snapshot from
the manual........no need to reinstall the exhaust!
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