15 years of owning my GS

[Baatfam]

It’s one of the stinky parts about only having one cycle.

If it helps make you feel better, I have to go get my registrations today, on three motorcycles....
And just paid the insurance on all three last month.

[gustovh]

I take my bmearings down to ,the local NAPA store, he reads the #s and matches the bearing. Usually I have 2 or 3 choices to chose from. I have a 1150 shock around here somewhere, I’ll try and find it for ya.

V

Thanks Ryder, glad you enjoyed. In another 15 years I may have it sorted....

Turns out I need to replace a couple of swingarm linkage bearings. I was planning to stop by the local dealer and use some gift cards to the store that I’m hoarding. I looked them up online to ehmmm - mentally prepare. The dealers online fische listed quantity two.... $107... holy cow! I found them on eBay for $39. Hopefully this weekend I’ll order them and a used low mileage Ducati M900 shock on my watch list. At this point I’m putting it back together throwing on a new chain and I’ll ride as is for another season. It’s one of the stinky parts about only having one cycle.

[dorkburger]

Much appreciated Gustovh. I’m glad I checked in here first, as I was just about to order the eBay Ducati shock.
Please let me know if / when you find it. Thanks.

[GS1150Pilot]

The Ducati shock is an upgrade, however.

[dorkburger]

Agreed.....

[dorkburger]

Well it turns out that I goofed up my bearing part numbers. The ones I found on eBay were swingarm bearings, not the rod set cushion bearings ( one of the linkage parts). Good news is that they were even cheaper from two different small sellers. Soooo.. I ordered the Duc shock too.

Gustovh, no need to go on a search unless you feel the need. Personally, I do like to look thru my junk on occasion..
Again, thanks. Another example of why this spot is great.

[dorkburger]

Shock arrived today. It looks good, but the bottom out bushing that sits on the shaft was deteriorated from age (shock listed as being from a 1997 bike, 9k miles). I made one from a rubber bushing and stuck it on, then I swapped the 1150 spring on. A few washers were needed as spacers on the swingarm end, but otherwise the fit looks good. When my bearings arrive, I can wrap this up..

http://Gs1150 to M900 shock swap. by Glen Brenner, on Flickr

http://Gs1150 to M900 shock swap. by Glen Brenner, on Flickr

[dorkburger]

Yay... the second bearing arrived today- ordered from two different eBay sellers.
I stuck them in my he freezer for a few hours, warmed up the steel linkage piece, gave it a light coat of oil, then easily tapped them in with a rubber mallet.
I can start reassembly now.

[dorkburger]

I loosely fit everything back together last night and ran into problems.
When checking on the bench, the Ducati shock fit ok, but when installing it, the shock was binding and would not line up with the bottom mounting hole. It turns out that while it fit the top mount, the angle required caused the top mount to hit the edge of the linkage opening - the top of the Ducati shock is larger as seen in my previous post.
I clearanced it a bit, and it seemed ok, but wanted to be sure. I removed the spring, which is really easy on this shock by design, reinstalled it and moved it thru its range of travel. At full compression, the nitrogen Schrader valve fitting hits the mounting bracket....
http://Untitled by Glen Brenner, on Flickr

I removed and flipped the shock and it has proper clearance. I've seen plenty of dual shock bikes with their shocks upside down, so I'm going with it. Other then the potential for dirt buildup around the seal, I can't see why it would matter. It will make access to the compression adjuster difficult, but that's life... the bike definitely sits higher now with little sag, but I can reduce the preload somewhat if needed. This is with the 1150 spring. The Ducati spring was heavier (thicker spring) and shorter. It likely would have been waaay too stiff. If I recall Rapid Ray mentioned somewhere to use the 1150 spring.

[dorkburger]

I got a bit excited this morning , but it was short lived. There was an 1150 frame, shock, swingarm, and forks on eBay at $99. The seller noted and pictured a small welded repair down low by where my parts bike is rusted. It was just a few small boogers, but enough for me to ask the seller if he had any info about the repair. He gave an honest answer which was that he did not know. The price would have been worth taking a chance if it was local - even local-ish, but it's in Ohio, so shipping would likely make it not worth it if it was a problem frame.

Tonight I got everything tightened up, put the footrest brackets, etc back on. I still need to buy a chain.
Now that I have good suspension on both ends, I want read up and set the sag on the suspension before the season starts.

[gustovh]

Well a little late, found the shock and swingarm but looks like you don't need it now...

V

[dorkburger]

Thanks Gustovh, yes I’m set for now.
Apparently my M.O. is bolting good parts to a bad frame....
I’ll get it right ..... eventually.....

[dorkburger]

Parts bike came with a like new 530 aluminum rear sprocket and a crusty chain.
Being that my chain died early, I need new. It was either another 630 chain, or a 530 front sprocket, plus some work to swap over. Checking eBay for 630 chains found a variety of prices - $60 for an off brand o ring chain up to nearly $200 for a known good brand. And while I'm cheap, I will not use a non o ring chain. I bought a bike with one once and it was awful. It needed constant adjustment and wore out quickly.
I checked Z1 for a 530 sprocket - under $20.... some quick math, later, and I'm going with the 530.
I spent some time with the chain. I soaked it in some concoction of old fuel oil and gas that was used for cleaning, scrubbed the links with a nylon brush and the side plates with a brass bristle brush. It cleaned up surprisingly well, and actually is mostly shiny...

I just need to confirm with Z1 about what tooth count I need for the front to replicate the ratio, plus I read elsewhere that in some instances a spacer is needed with the 530 front sprocket. Hopefully Monday I'll get an answer....

[GSXR7ED]

Good luck Glen. I bought my 530 from Z1 a while ago. I've yet to install it. Sounds like you're much eager than me. Post pics!


Ed

[Baatfam]

I just need to confirm with Z1 about what tooth count I need for the front to replicate the ratio, plus I read elsewhere that in some instances a spacer is needed with the 530 front sprocket. Hopefully Monday I'll get an answer....

You will need a spacer, and Z1 will have it. (And the spacer goes on the outside, just in case it comes up)

If you are happy with your current 630 ratio, just do the math and go with the same ratio for the 530. Or adjust up or down, if you wish.