Question on rear shock Spacers on GS1000

[Guest]

Is it safe to replace the giant stack of washers Suzuki used to space the top eyes on the rear shocks with solid spacers?

Is there a reason they used 6 washers vs a pair of solid pieces?

I made up a set of 4 - 8mm thick spacers on the lathe from some extra 1" bar stock I had left over from making the rear set mounts.

FYI.. don't get a metal lathe.. Everywhere yo look you'll find some new thing to turn and polish to a mirror finish.. It's like tool crack..

[salty_monk]

No good reason that I can see.... (Except it allowed them to change shock, make adjustments etc without changing the spacers, just drop or add a washer).

Dan

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Just be sure to get them parallel. I've had my 1000E since new but changed shocks long ago and don't remember the exact factory number of washers or any differences side to side. I remember the left side had less because the lift handle was part of the spacing.
Maybe there's a detailed parts illustration somewhere if you want to check it out. Maybe the factory manual?
I don't see a problem with using thicker washers/spacers as long as the shocks stay parallel.

[chef1366]

I bet they did that so you could add sissy bars, luggage racks ........

[sschering]

Diagram shows 3 & 2 washers on the left, 3 & 3 on the right for my GS1000L
No grab bar on an L that I know of.

Can the top shock bolts be replaced or are the welded in?



My setup


I know the bike is dirty and needs paint. Cosmetics will come after basic repairs..
I'm at a standstill with the forks so I've been dinking around with the lathe..

[KEITH KRAUSE]

I believe the top shock studs are "part" of the frame.