Back shock spacer...

**Kornholio** · 28th September 2005, 19:57

Ok 3 of my mates have VTRs(various years) have they have put in a spacer on top of their rear shock raising it 5mm and they reckon its great and have improved their bikes handling, anyone else used these spacers?

...and I read also in a bike magazine to put one of these spacers onto my bike(01 GSXR 750) and also throw away standard steering damper and get an aftermarket one...anyone testify to this or have any other tips for my bike? ie parts to replace cos they are crap standard...

Cheers

**Blackbird** · 28th September 2005, 20:06

I have a 6mm spacer on the Blackbird and it absolutely transformed the handling. (It steepens your fork angle by raising the rear ride height). The thickness of the spacer will depend on the geometry of your bike and how twitchy you want it. Some Blackbird riders in the UK go to 12mm for trackdays but this height is totally unsuitable for the road due to instability. For info only, I've attached a piece I put together on fitting a spacer to a Blackbird so you can see the principles involved.

Your best bet to absolutely confirm what you need is to have a look on one of the GSX R websites - I assume there are plenty of them.

Oh, and putting a spacer in slackens your chain so if you are already well down the length of your adjusters, a new chain might be required.

Cheers

Geoff

**TLDV8** · 28th September 2005, 20:13

You just have to watch the trail when you start increasing the swingarm angle,to much and things can get a little flighty (tank slap) but it should increase antisquat and brake transfer plus speed up turn in...as long as its not overdone it would be worth a shot,what does the spacer look like? most are just a thick washer...I second what Blackbird says about the chain,i run a hose clamp on the L/H midpipe to stop it getting gouged up on the over run.The TLS is different to the GSXR but the end result is similar except the S is a little short on frontend trail to start with so the steering damper is a must.

**Kornholio** · 28th September 2005, 20:22

This is the website my mates used to get spacer and how to do it...
http://www.geocities.com/speedfreaknz/VTRmods.html

**FROSTY:Me** · 29th September 2005, 08:07

hey Dude I think ya may be a bit off base.The mounts for the gixxer shock are eylet to eyelet not eyelet to post. I dont see where you would find a place to put the spacers (I'm wide open to correction here from gixxer experts). To get the back end higher You might have to do what I'm doing with my SV and getting a longer bottom shock mount made.

**Lou Girardin** · 29th September 2005, 16:31

Ohlins don't recommend raising rear ride height because it can lessen traction out of corners. All to do with swingarm angle apparently. If you have heaps of lean angle available, it's better to drop the triple clamps down the forks.

**FROSTY:Me** · 30th September 2005, 10:34

Hey lou--thanks for the reminder--the sv was getting the big shock jackup job done

**ducatilover** · 30th September 2005, 11:38

i should do this to my gn....seriously would it work?

**Kornholio** · 30th September 2005, 16:31

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Ohlins don't recommend raising rear ride height because it can lessen traction out of corners. All to do with swingarm angle apparently. If you have heaps of lean angle available, it's better to drop the triple clamps down the forks.

Cheers man...it already rides like its on rails but was just curious...the VTR boys are all smiles tho lol

Oh and LOL at the GN...sorry

**cowpoos** · 30th September 2005, 21:47

Originally Posted by Lou Girardin

Ohlins don't recommend raising rear ride height because it can lessen traction out of corners. All to do with swingarm angle apparently. If you have heaps of lean angle available, it's better to drop the triple clamps down the forks.

raising the rear lessens squat...which is a transfer force...lessen squat and you will have less rearwheel pressure and traction....Lou is correct with the forks...as it lessens ground clearance...

There is another bonus with raising rear ride height is you raise the center of gravity a little...which helps with turn in balance...and mid corner stability...to a point though...

another bad point with raising the rear/dropping forks through the yokes is it can on some bikes cause tuck if fork springs are to light or preload isn't adjusted properlly

What it is..thats creating the better cornering feeling is having more weight over the front...you could achieve this with rear sets and lower clip-ons...that will move your body weight forward...and that can make a massive difference...