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    #1

    Saggy bike?

    It seems like my 750 sits lower than it's supposed to. I've remarked here before about how hard it is to get it up onto the center stand. From other folks' descriptions it sounds like it shouldn't be that hard. Also, when it's on the side stand on level ground the bike is almost upright. It doesn't take much force at all to push it over to the right. It fell over on a windy day last week, which doesn't seem right. Granted it was under a nylon cover and it was broadside to the wind, but it still doesn't seem like that should happen.

    Would old shocks cause it to sit lower than normal? They're already set on the stiffest setting. Is there anything I can measure to see if they're out of spec?

    Is there anything else that could cause the bike to sit too low? As far as I can tell it's all stock; nobody's replaced the wheels or shocks that I can see.
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    #2
    um. Might just be the bike. My 400s and the 650 are all pretty heavy to get up on the center. My Honda, a child can do it. But a "taller" shock will help. a half or 3/4" makes a huge diff. so also,rolling back on a piece of 3/4" plywood

    you can check the length of the shock itself-how much it depresses when bike is riderless versus out of the box but if you are keeping the bike on the centerstand when not riding, your springs won't "creep" too much
    Last edited by Gorminrider; 06-09-2018, 10:02 AM.

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      #3
      Originally posted by Gorminrider View Post
      um. Might just be the bike. My 400s and the 650 are all pretty heavy to get up on the center. My Honda, a child can do it. But a "taller" shock will help. a half or 3/4" makes a huge diff. so also,rolling back on a piece of 3/4" plywood
      I've been rolling the front wheel onto a 1" thick paving stone to get it up on the center stand.

      you can check the length of the shock itself-how much it depresses when bike is riderless versus out of the box but if you are keeping the bike on the centerstand when not riding, your springs won't "creep" too much
      I'm at least the 3rd owner of this bike and I don't know how the previous owners parked it. But from the condition it's in it wouldn't surprise me if they left it on the side stand most of the time.

      The ride itself isn't bad at all, even though I'm "gravitationally blessed." But I'd lke to raise the bike up a little bit. I just don't know if stock shocks will do that, or if I should be looking at something a touch longer.

      Thanks for the info!

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        #4
        Originally posted by Hinermad View Post
        Would old shocks cause it to sit lower than normal? They're already set on the stiffest setting. Is there anything I can measure to see if they're out of spec?
        Measure the static sag (the amount the suspension settles under the bike weight only) both front and rear and the extended length of the shocks to see what you are working with.


        Mark
        1982 GS1100E
        1998 ZX-6R
        2005 KTM 450EXC

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          #5
          Maybe some PO lowered the bike because he was short. They could have used shorter shocks and/or a fork lowering kit like the ones from Progressive Suspension.


          With the bike on the center stand, measure the shock length & fork length. Report the results and someone on the forum should be able to tell if they were lowered.

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            #6
            um. Might just be the bike. My 400s and the 650 are all pretty heavy to get up on the center
            Mine is now even heavier to put on center stand because I had to fit shocks 15mm shorter than original. I contacted hagon for measurments and what they do won't fit on my GSX 400 F either. I dunno but that inline four had completely changed swingarm and frame mount so now I have huge problem finding proper replacement. Now with shorter shocks I don't have problem with bottoming front forks up to the damper like it used to do on genuine setup. Doesn't look like motorboat on wheels but now rides quite funny I need to get used to it.

            Springs do wear over time and they permanently compress or shrink I don't know how to put it. Even my car has norm to measure after higher mileage, manual says to measure distance from the wheel to fender if the distance is shorter than specified by book - replace springs.
            Last edited by Guest; 06-10-2018, 09:01 AM.

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              #7
              15mm ! that'll do it. what length were the originals? There's plenty of cheapo shocks on ebay that will suit our bikes. You can order pretty much direct from the factory in Taiwan with the correct "eyes" etc 12mm? and many lengths...350mm or 325mm or 310mm or 300mm? etc etc . These are really not so bad to ride on if you get the right ones...I actually have some from Yasusu that are good enough.
              Springs do wear over time and they permanently compress or shrink I don't know how to put it
              I call it "creep". The molecules actually rearrange under steady stress. It's why people put cars they aren't using on blocks.

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                #8
                Originally posted by Gorminrider View Post
                15mm ! that'll do it. what length were the originals? There's plenty of cheapo shocks on ebay that will suit our bikes. You can order pretty much direct from the factory in Taiwan with the correct "eyes" etc 12mm? and many lengths...350mm or 325mm or 310mm or 300mm? etc etc . These are really not so bad to ride on if you get the right ones...I actually have some from Yasusu that are good enough.
                What kind of specs would I look for on a set of shocks to match the stock GS750 ones? I found a Suzuki part number on a couple of the online parts places but they don't list any specifications.

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                  #9
                  I don't know. I don't have a 750. You will have to find an example or ask someone here to measure to be sure...
                  or, decide how high you want your rear wheel to be off the ground when it's on the centerstand. Clearance then under the wheel is about 1/2" to an inch, roughly speaking....

                  simply as comment, I'll guess based on what I recall without running out to the shop and measuring shocks for bikes that are not 750s anyways, that you want about 13" or so. (330mm) eye to eye. That's a guess

                  If buying online, finding a cheap shock of the right length is not all you need to know. Be aware that the "damper rod" -the plunger diameter differs even where eye-to-eye lengths may be the same...a 250cc is going to have a thinner "rod" than a 750.

                  As to springs, and damping , that separates the drips-under-pressure (Expurts) from the experts. but you are going to be pretty close if measure close to what you see around you on other bikes of the same type and weight.

                  Notice I underline and italicise and make bold several things for good reason. I

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                    #10
                    Originally posted by Gorminrider View Post
                    Notice I underline and italicise and make bold several things for good reason. I
                    Understood. Thanks!

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                      #11
                      OR --
                      Pony up about $200-- and get a set of Hagon Shocks adn enjoy the ride

                      read this thread for inspiration -->> https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...ch-is-too-much

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