raising the tail?

[91_gsx600F katana]

Anyone raise the tail on the pre kats? Ive swapped out the rear shock for an R6 rear shock which dropped the rear 3/4" so I lowered the front about 3/4" but its still not the right look. I like the raised tails on the newer sport bikes, knowing mine would never be like that it still raises the question... why not?! lol

Perhaps modifying the upper rear shock mount lower would push the tail up or cut the rear tail support frame and weld it on up higher? Now the plastics wouldnt fit probably correctly. But would raising the rear compromise the handling of the bike?

[cintidude04]

Yes I have raised the tail a couple ways. Taller shock worked on an adjustable shock mount. By far the best way I have done it so far is to chop the tail where it meet the frame, and re-weld it at an angle of your choosing.

[hinow41]

Depends on the angle you're trying to get. If you want a big rise I would chop and re weld like cintidude04 said.

[Kreylyn]

If you can deal with a taller seat... then I suggest a slightly modified Bandit 12 Shock.

It will raise the tail light by almost 2" from stock height,.... so for your bike it would go up by nearly 3" after swapping out the r6 shock. That's at the tail light, not the seat height. Seat height still stays under 31".

But.. that won't help clearance under the tail much if your wanting that more open under tail look like the modern SS bikes have. The primary reason for that is because the blockage is the lower sub-frame at the middle of the bike. No matter how much you raise the tail... that is still going to be there. If you want that changed, I would suggest you cut and re-weld/relocate the lower sub-frame rail at a higher angle... cut the "lattice" lower sections or maybe even a little higher off of the tail fairings, and you would have a much higher looking tail with out changing the angle of the actual top rail at all.

Found a pic from a prior discussion about this type of mod.



In this pic, the lower sub-frame rail has already been cut off. You can see the remnants of it at the foot peg bracket. The green line designates the possible location of the new sub-frame rail. Keep in mind that some bending would be needed for that new rail to match the contours of the tail fairings if you wanted to use them still. Not hard to do, just don't forget and weld it all up only to find it's in the way of the plastics now.

Krey

[91_gsx600F katana]

I think Im alittle heavy for the bandit shock (200lbs with gear minimum) and the R6 shock is brand spanking new! I paid good money for a never used shock lol. Ugh.

Makes sense about the rear lower subframe.

Yes I have raised the tail a couple ways. Taller shock worked on an adjustable shock mount. By far the best way I have done it so far is to chop the tail where it meet the frame, and re-weld it at an angle of your choosing.

you got any more info on the adjustable shock mount?

[hinow41]

Why not get the bike sprung for your weight? rebuild the shock and get a new spring, T-mod used to do it you can try pming him or call race tech. http://racetech.com you can get the rise you want and better handling/ riding.

[Kreylyn]

I think Im alittle heavy for the bandit shock (200lbs with gear minimum) and the R6 shock is brand spanking new! I paid good money for a never used shock lol. Ugh.

Makes sense about the rear lower subframe.

The b12 shock needs modified anyways to shim it slightly. This is due to the extra length it will hit the lower cushion at full extension. At that point you put on a spring that fits the weight.

My current shock is a modified b12 shimmed and re-sprung for my weight at 200bls by Tmod. I'm extremely pleased with it.

Krey

[91_gsx600F katana]

Thanks guys. I'm prob going to skip the bandit shock and just use wat I got.

Wat info do u guys have on the adjustable shock mount!?

[91_gsx600F katana]

On the pre's you cant really lengthen/shorten the dog bones as they are curved but shorter ones would allow me to raise it 1.5" roughly If I was to make them 3/8" shorter.

Can a post 98+ dog bone pivot be swapped into the a pre? this would push the dog bones out to use a straight style like the posts. But Im not sure if the stock pre swing arm will allow it...

[cintidude04]

Adjustable shock mount on a kat is a completely custom fab job. If I didnt work so damn much I would have at least finished my mount by now.

[91_gsx600F katana]

Adjustable shock mount on a kat is a completely custom fab job. If I didnt work so damn much I would have at least finished my mount by now.

ok, how does it work and what does/should it look like? are you referring to the top shock mount? since the bottom bolts to the pivot. easiest would be the dog bones but on the pre that is pretty d@mn hard since they arent straight. Putting the 98+ pivot in would push the mounting out and maybe allow a straighter dog bone which i could fab myself in a day.

any pics or links to the adjustable shock mount you were talking about?