GSXR K7 shock conversion

[Jaicen]

Ok, i've just secured a K7 shock to put on my GK76a, to replace the saggy old one. It has the K7 linkage, but I don't think that fits my bike, so i'll be modifying the stock linkage as per gavsta's instructions.
In light of this modification, would it be advisable to uprate the front suspension as well? It's running stock SP forks with fresh 7.5wt oil. I had the forks checked over by Maidstone Motoliner, so they're sound, but i'm not sure wether they're behaving as they should. Any tips for setting up the front forks to match the new shock?

[Jaicen]

Ok, having thought about this for a while, would it be possible to shorten the dogs on the shock. This would alter the geometry, effectively raising the rear ride height, and allowing the spring to clear the shock linkage.
I borrowed this image from Gavsta as it shows quite clearly how it would give the clearance I need.
Does anybody know if this would work, or any reason why it would be a bad idea?

[morris147]

on his blog he grinds abit out of the bottom linkage, i am thinking of doing this as i have a spare.

[Jaicen]

Yeah, I was thinking of ways to avoid grinding the linkage. I don't really like making non-reversible mods. I guess I could pick up a spare if it was ever needed. Shorter dogs would raise the rear ride height a little too, which wouldn't be a bad thing.

[mattley87]

I may have a spare linkage if you want it. Cheers

[monkers]

Would the spring not be too strong? Just a general observation. There was a thread on the RGV site about this and they clubbed together to get a batch (10+) springs made to suit the differences in weight. Perhaps I should read the mentioned thread before I type this but it's late, I'm lazy and I've finished typing now

[stripes1976]

spring is fine. the bike weight is virtually the same compared to the rgv. Grinding the linkage is no issue all your taking is a little bit of metal. most of what your taking is casting angle to allow it to come out of the cast easy. just do it little at a time. I did find after the conversion it tips in a lot quicker. You dont want shorter dogs with this shock it turns in fast enough without it with this

[oli_the_thread]

on his blog he grinds abit out of the bottom linkage, i am thinking of doing this as i have a spare.

Any link to such blog?

[monkers]

spring is fine. the bike weight is virtually the same compared to the rgv. Grinding the linkage is no issue all your taking is a little bit of metal. most of what your taking is casting angle to allow it to come out of the cast easy. just do it little at a time. I did find after the conversion it tips in a lot quicker. You dont want shorter dogs with this shock it turns in fast enough without it with this

Yes, virtually the same weight as a RGV. Not a GSXR K7. Surely that is a much heavier bike so spring is setup for that. Hence new springs being made to accommodate the RGV weight. Or am I missing the point?

[mattley87]

Yeah, gk76's weigh 167-169kg dry
K7 1000's weigh 172kg dry, but that's claimed i believe!