Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hi guys! New to the site, lots of good talk around and enjoying looking at all the blinged up bits!!

I'm wanting to upgrade the rear suspension on my zed and am wondering if anybody has ripped off a stock shock off a bike that would fit it (trying to do it on the cheap for the time being).

I was told a late model zx6 would fit or an earlier model niner. Any other suggestions greatly appreciated.

Cheers, Ian

G'day Ian,

If you want to do your zed on the cheap apparently the stock shock from an '03 or '04 636 will fit straight in (you'd probably want a softer spring though, perhaps keep the stock spring from the z). If you want to go to town (read NOT cheap) have a look at what Robracer has done to his zed at http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13994&hilit=z750

dave#3 wrote:G'day Ian,

If you want to do your zed on the cheap apparently the stock shock from an '03 or '04 636 will fit straight in (you'd probably want a softer spring though, perhaps keep the stock spring from the z). If you want to go to town (read NOT cheap) have a look at what Robracer has done to his zed at http://www.ksrc-au.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=13994&hilit=z750

fark.. i didnt think to keep the spring....

i did the 03/04 barra zx6r swap on my z1000...(06 zed).. seems much firmer and "noicer"..... to be honest the extra 30kg that the zed carries (over the barra 6) it doesnt hurt to have the slightly harder spring i have found...

and yea, a 03/04 or supposedly a 05/06 shock fit the z1000.. id assume the z750 should be the same...

where u from??

dont worry..just read ur in brisbane... maybe one of the zx6r riders can measure a shock to compare for ya?? i can measure my barra shock if u like??

Hi Ian...Yes the 636 will work & the change over time is less than 15 mins as long as you can jack up the bike without using the swingarm & if you can find one that's in good nick (note.... rebuild it before fitting)
This Ohlins was just over 1K & is not top of the line but does an excellent job for the bucks but frankly the front end needs more work than the rear if you want the bike to handle

I really would not choose an 03/4 shock - cheap they may be, and possible to fix up they are also; but very unlikely that the shock you got would not be faulty (he says as politely as possible) - even new ones had the problem without ever having seen a wheel-movement! They fail to hold gas... (plus a host of other gremlins which gained the bike it's rep. - all fixable though..)

The 05/6 636 would likely be closer to the mark; though the length might be an issue (7mm or so too long), and the 03/4 vs. 05/6 636 have differing width clevis' at the base - is yours a 32mm or a 30mm?

Another shock to look at might be the 00-03 GSXR600 with running your Kawasaki spring - the Zook spring would be too light by a big margin; but the valving and length isn't too far off - check length and clevis matching in any case.

Good luck

zenodamper wrote:I really would not choose an 03/4 shock - cheap they may be, and possible to fix up they are also; but very unlikely that the shock you got would not be faulty (he says as politely as possible) - even new ones had the problem without ever having seen a wheel-movement! They fail to hold gas... (plus a host of other gremlins which gained the bike it's rep. - all fixable though..)

The 05/6 636 would likely be closer to the mark; though the length might be an issue (7mm or so too long), and the 03/4 vs. 05/6 636 have differing width clevis' at the base - is yours a 32mm or a 30mm?

Another shock to look at might be the 00-03 GSXR600 with running your Kawasaki spring - the Zook spring would be too light by a big margin; but the valving and length isn't too far off - check length and clevis matching in any case.

Good luck

fark... where were u when i was doin my conversion?? aggghhhh

mine seems ok at the mo.. if it were to need a rebuild/fix that u talk about, how long would u need it and how much would i pay??

as far as swapping the 2 shocks, 2 blokes, a coupla spanners and no other tools... one guys holds the bike on the sidestand, lifts the weight while the other rips it out.. dodgy way to do it, took 5 min max...

zenodamper wrote: (he says as politely as possible) - even new ones had the problem without ever having seen a wheel-movement! They fail to hold gas... (plus a host of other gremlins which gained the bike it's rep. - all fixable though..)

Hence my suggestion............. (note.... rebuild it before fitting).............. we have a new shock sponsor on board that would be able to do wonders with the 2nd hand unit

Get a woolly seat cover...

red_dave wrote:Get a woolly seat cover...

Fark dave you are such a hard arse

Neka: turn around on that would be 2 days if not too busy... It can be done really fast if you want me to utilise aftermarket parts - but these parts are not necessary if I do it the slow way... (this saves money)

hey dave,
Missus says i already have a wooly ass, so i thought i'd get away without one of those!! :

I've already done the front suspension, placed race tech springs, valves and new oil. Massive difference, doesn't slap around so much any more.

Will post a pic as soon as i figure out how to.

Cheers for the replies guys, have a good new year.
Ian

zenodamper wrote:Neka: turn around on that would be 2 days if not too busy... It can be done really fast if you want me to utilise aftermarket parts - but these parts are not necessary if I do it the slow way... (this saves money)

approx price for either way?? (pm if u dont want to say here)

Neka79 wrote:approx price for either way?? (pm if u dont want to say here)

$145.00 labour to repair and rebuild as stock. Or $200.00 if revalved as well... Those being labour charges which attract a 10% discount on Kawasakis for KSRC - any parts are at normal pricing (i.e.). The aftermarket bit previously mentioned ranges between 20 and 40 bucks - 2nd hand or new. And I suggest going to a revalve with this one, as that rebound can definitely be improved upon...

This is the first I've ever heard of the zx6 shocks leaking.
Never read anything about them on riderforums, and they would know, or anywhere else actually.
Sounds like a waste of money to me if you don't find them too hard for the z1000/z750.


Z7fiddy, you didn't specify, assuming your z750 is a 03-06 model?

Well, naturally I do not wish to offend anyone - but let me clarify: the leak I talk of is gas related; it will not (necessarily if at all) extend to oil and other such obvious outwardly displayed signs. Would an owner actually notice without attempting to release the reservoir's supply? (like prepping for a redesign).

I was very surprised myself when I began my love-affair with "Barras" (they are still the best shaped 600 BTW ), and even stuck one onto a bike before I noticed that this was happening. Luckily the bike was owned by a guy on the farm I was renting from, and I had the chance to sort it out for him without him getting upset! Then I checked the next 3 or 4 to come by, including a brand new one, prior to deciding that whether or not everyone of them out there has gas or not (0 or 50psi); it simply is not something that I can afford to risk, or not take steps to ensure it does not happen again!

Oh, and I am/was only meaning the 03/4 ones.... Gold ones all seem good...