Raising the rear of the 1100 Katana without changing the shocks

[John Kat]

I don't think I've ever seen this done. And I agree that kit looks like a terrible, terrible idea.

The most usual thing people do is simply install longer shocks. Looks good, and you're not adding weight, modifying the frame, etc.

I guess I'm not clear on why you're determined to keep your current shocks. If they're the stock Suzuki shocks, they're decades-old crap anyway, and you'll love the benefits of modern shocks. Not cheap, I'll admit.

If they're decent aftermarket shocks, then the cheapest option would be to order up longer shocks and sell the old ones. Depending on what brand they are, sometimes you can order up longer bodies and swap in your springs.


I'm also wondering about fabricating some sort of little extender widget. An eye on one end that bolts to the frame like a shock, and the body rests against the frame so it doesn't rotate. The other end is sort of a clevis with a through bolt where you can insert the shock. I can envision this, but I've never seen anything like this. And of course you could envision a similar widget down at the swingarm, or a modification to the mounts on the swingarm.

Of course, these options are expensive as well, unless you just happen to have a complete machine shop on hand. In which case you wouldn't be asking this question in the first place...

The longer shocks are obviously the first choice but I have some expensive aftermarket shocks from EMC that I would hate to loose.
EMC is willing to extend them but it's not cheap and I don't really know by how much I want to extend them so far...
I've been experimenting lifting the rear on my monoshocked GSXR 1052 in a GS 1000 frame (https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...00-frame/page3)
and the best result so far is with the rear wheel spindle at 430 mm from the OEM top shock mount!
For these reasons, I'll be looking further to a simple extension of the current shocks in line with your thoughts.

[bwringer]

Here is the widget I came up with a few years ago... It mounts on the lower part of the shock absorber.

Oh yeah, forgot about that. Neato!

The longer shocks are obviously the first choice but I have some expensive aftermarket shocks from EMC that I would hate to loose.
EMC is willing to extend them but it's not cheap and I don't really know by how much I want to extend them so far...
I've been experimenting lifting the rear on my monoshocked GSXR 1052 in a GS 1000 frame (https://www.thegsresources.com/_foru...00-frame/page3)
and the best result so far is with the rear wheel spindle at 430 mm from the OEM top shock mount!
For these reasons, I'll be looking further to a simple extension of the current shocks in line with your thoughts.

That makes more sense now; at first, it read like you still had the stock shocks and I couldn't figure out why you wanted to keep them. Those little extenders Norm made look like just the ticket.


Also, I hadn't heard of EMC shocks before. I think we'd all love to know more about costs, options, etc. and your general opinions. Their website is pretty crappy.

[John Kat]

Here is the widget I came up with a few years ago... It mounts on the lower part of the shock absorber.

This is a brilliant idea!
Do you sell these or can I just copy the idea?
Many thanks!

[John Kat]

Oh yeah, forgot about that. Neato!





That makes more sense now; at first, it read like you still had the stock shocks and I couldn't figure out why you wanted to keep them. Those little extenders Norm made look like just the ticket.


Also, I hadn't heard of EMC shocks before. I think we'd all love to know more about costs, options, etc. and your general opinions. Their website is pretty crappy.

I don't know if you got the proper web page for EMC?
It's a French brand and all their shocks use the De Carbon principle not the cheap emulsion principle used elsewhere...
Here's their site: https://www.emc-suspensions.fr/en/
There is also a site in the US but my browser warns me against it?

[storm 64]

This is a brilliant idea!
Do you sell these or can I just copy the idea?
Many thanks!

Sure you can copy them. I'll message you my drawing with dimensions. If I had some more stainless steel I'd make up another batch. I know a fellow in South Carolina wanted a set too.

[John Kat]

Sure you can copy them. I'll message you my drawing with dimensions. If I had some more stainless steel I'd make up another batch. I know a fellow in South Carolina wanted a set too.

Great!
Looking forward to your email.
Many thanks
John

[John Kat]

Good news, the EMC shocks on my 1100 Katana have now been extended by 1 inch.
This was made possible through "a little help from my friends" in this case Norm (@storm64) who did a fantastic job in fabricating the extensions in stainless steel.
They came fully polished as you will see on the picture!
Many thanks Norm.
The top of the shock is now exactly at the same height as my OEM Kat despite the low profile 160/60*17 tire.
This will not only help keep my Kerker 4 into 1 from grounding when going on the elevator but also help reduce the trail and thus quicken the steering.
I'll have to wait for dry roads to give it a test.

IMG_1245.jpg

[John Kat]

Good news, the EMC shocks on my 1100 Katana have now been extended by 1 inch.
This was made possible through "a little help from my friends" in this case Norm (@storm64) who did a fantastic job in fabricating the extensions in stainless steel.
They came fully polished as you will see on the picture!
Many thanks Norm.
The top of the shock is now exactly at the same height as my OEM Kat despite the low profile 160/60*17 tire.
This will not only help keep my Kerker 4 into 1 from grounding when going on the elevator but also help reduce the trail and thus quicken the steering.
I'll have to wait for dry roads to give it a test.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]56902[/ATTACH]

And another picture here

IMG_1242.jpg

[storm 64]

I'm glad it worked out for you John.👍 I was a little apprehensive about shipping to France, but it cost about the same as shipping to Canada and it was a lot quicker, only 7 days.

[John Kat]

I finally managed to test the bike yesterday as the roads were dry and the temperature at 9°C.
It's difficult to compare the bike before and after fitting the shock extenders as almost a month passed between the rides but in any case I'm very glad with the result.
The bike is still very stable but feels almost like a 600 cc bike given the ease to flick it over in the S bends.
Quite amazing given the weight of the monster.
The front end feels very planted and requires very little effort to negociate the roundabouts despite the narrow bars.
The 17" wheels are of course of great help in this respect.
Here's a picture that shows the bike's stance.

IMG_1311.jpg

[posplayr]

Great news. There was a discussion on here about raising beyond 1" as if there was some type of hard limit on stability if you go any further than 1".

The Ohlins I had were 35mm extensions (1.38") and I ran them there as standard and never felt any instability.

2" is probably too far, but I saw no issues with 18" wheels 110/170 radial tires and 35mm rear extension.

[storm 64]

Looking good John. Another cool Kat!👍 To be honest with you, I was never a big fan of the Katana. But after seeing John's and what Pete is doing to his and a few others on the forum. Them things are really starting to grow on me. Some real beautiful motorcycles they are.

[John Kat]

Great news. There was a discussion on here about raising beyond 1" as if there was some type of hard limit on stability if you go any further than 1".

The Ohlins I had were 35mm extensions (1.38") and I ran them there as standard and never felt any instability.

2" is probably too far, but I saw no issues with 18" wheels 110/170 radial tires and 35mm rear extension.

I'm planning to measure the rake and trail of my various bikes to determine if there is some "magic" setting for these.
Apparently the common modern standard for 17" wheels is around 25° and 100 mm.
Honda's latest CB 1000 R is one example that I've tried personally.
The tires play of course a very important role as I witnessed lately with a 18" rear wheel fitted with a touring tire ( Bridgestone T31) while the front had a sporting tire.
The bike felt like I had a passenger leaning in the opposite direction of the turn...
I believe it's due to the large rounded profile used for these types of tires.

[John Kat]

Looking good John. Another cool Kat! To be honest with you, I was never a big fan of the Katana. But after seeing John's and what Pete is doing to his and a few others on the forum. Them things are really starting to grow on me. Some real beautiful motorcycles they are.

You are right about the Katana, it's kind of an acquired taste.
They sold very few of these here in France as the riding position was very ackward and the weight really prohibitive.
Strange to know that Suzuki was developping the first GSXR's in those days to become the lightest bikes of their era.
I'm lucky to have both a 99% OEM Kat and a modified version with 17" wheels and dragbars mounted on a Vstrom triple.
The bike has really moved into the 21st century (except the weight!) and I wouldn't mind going on a trip with it.
BTW the local Suzuki dealer has asked me to let him display my OEM Kat when he gets the 2019 Katana in his shop.
I'll surely get to ride the 2019 model then!