R6 shock: whos running one?

[m in sc]

who on here is actually running one on an otherwise stock 1kt/2ma? Considering replacing my original with one, but swapping out to the stock tzr spring.
Thanks.

[problemchild]

i do, but with Hyperpro Spring... the stock r6 was a bit softer so the tzr spring could be better, but i never tried

[m in sc]

nice. whats the rate you used? for a TZR or?

[problemchild]

its a progressive spring for the r6, so i dont really know the rate. But it fits for me and my weight

[rz500guy]

Not sure what rate spring is on a stock bike. One size will not fit all if you want better handling and comfort. If you go that way I would believe the weight of the stock Yamaha spring but the matched to the length of the spring that come out of other shock. Then adjust it to see if it is correct for your weight. Bike should always be able to settle 5 or 10 mm on it's own weight after sag is set.  The issue I see happening is that shock is built for a heavier bike. The valving and shim stacks will be too stiff for a lighter bike. I am not the expert but you might get the sag numbers right but it could ride harsh or give a vague feeling on the road. New shocks are expensive but if not on the track I do not know if we will notice much. Cogent Dynamics in the Carolinas built a shock specifically for my RZV track bike and it has always performed great. I get serviced every few years. Good luck and good visiting with you. Started the process of listing the TZR with Iconic Motorbikes. Some of the proceeds will go for a second air bag as back up. If you have any questions on suspension stuff yell at me anytime

[problemchild]

the r6 shock is fully adustable with Hi and Low-Speed for compression... and factorysetting is more on the soft side... even the spring is softer (98 to 105) because of different linkage...
so it fits surprisingly good on the lighter tzr, if you go on full open on the valves it gets really wobbly, full close very stiff... so you can set it up the way you want. And it works really good if its in good condition
If you switch to the harder (and shorter) spring the from tzr, you may have to adapt the lenght or you loose some stroke, thats why i used a progressive r6 spring

[m in sc]

excellent. ive set up shocks before, and IMHO the spring rate is fine on the stocker, but the age of it is what has me worried more than  anything. I can machine a spring spacer easily if its too short for the r6 body so put in a tiny bit of preload then go from there (measure what the TZR shock has as a baseline). I also like the adjustability factor of the r6 shock.

one one bike i built, thats actually 241 lbs, i used a CBR600RR shock but settled on a ninja 650 spring and it works really well, def took some experimenting as there was no real protocol on a custom made frame & swingarm aside from some math and test rides to dial it in.

If what youre telling me that it can be adjusted too stiff or too soft, then the adjustment range is in there and might suit my needs. 

@ Paul, def a good time that day at the track, great meeting you. I'll reach out if i have any issues. glad the track bike is on the mend, and hope you are as well.

[rz500guy]

Only way to check the spring will be sag. There are enough articles on the adjustment. 35 mm of rider sag for street all the way to 25 for track. Just remember there should be free sag. That is when the bike is just setting. You should be able to pull up till topped out, lean it on side stand, get a measurement from some point, then let it sit on it's own weight. Should drop 5 mm or so. If not you had to add too much preload on the shock and the spring is wrong weight. Race Tech I believe has a tech sheet on springs that you put numbers in and it gives the recommended weight.

https://racetech.com/ChooseVehicle.aspx

[m in sc]

ive been cross referencing parts and it appears an 03-05 R6 shock will work length & size wise, so i have one coming from ebay, they are everywhere on there.

the spring rate is 10.5 kg/mm and the tzr one from what i can gather is 8.5. that being said, i'll use the tzr spring on the r6 body if indeed i can get the shock to fit and there's nothing im missing on fitment. since my bike only has about 11000KM on it, i cant imagine the spring is worn out. worst case, i take it apart and clean the stock shock and put it back in. best case, is it fits and i use the stock TZR spring on the R6 shock.. we will see.

[oldiggy]

I've had an r6 shock on mine for years, I can't remember what year model it came off the only thing is the spring is yellow. The handling and comfort was fine I am 11 stone the only thing I didn't like was the rear end is raised making my goolies slide up against the tank. Two problems arise the side stand has to have a small extension block fitted to the bottom so bike is not leaning over too far and it wouldn't fit without cutting a small section from the bottom of the air box and re sealing.

[m in sc]

understand. the one im looking at is the one w the reservoir along the back, not across.

hopefully it will fit, has a red spring. I appreciate the reply.

this is like the one i have on the way:

[rz500guy]

You do not want to add preload to the spring just to get it to fit on the shock is the main thing. Then do your measurements.

[m in sc]

well, they way ive always done similar is to measure the installed vs free height of the stock TZR spring in the stock shock, then, since I'm going to use the stock TZR spring in the r6 shock, is to duplicate the installed height onto the r6 body, but at the middle of the r6 preload adjustment setting so i can adjust it up or down from there, this should get the sag pretty much spot on from stock. since the r6 shock is a bit longer (8-10mm) and might have more physical length in the shock, i might need to lathe up a spacer to compensate for the space, not add preload. thats going to be my approach.  .02

[m in sc]

So, I finally got around to doing the shock conversion. went with an R1 shock instead, as the eye to eye was closer to stock , and the side reservoir seemed to be a better fit.  Only interference was it slightly rubbed the inside of the chain guard, and i just trimmed that.

Bought a junk 1kt shock off ebay for the spring, so my original is still in-tact.

made 2 10mm id x 5mm long spacers for the top eye, and made a 30mm bushing for the bottom.  bottom dims are 12mm id, 17mm od, and 30mm long. I made it out of 316SS on the lathe and it fits perfect.

Pics below show the install and the adjustments accessibility w bodywork on. 

















adjusting compression and rebound





I measured my stock shock preload settings and set the r1 shock to the same amount as a start since thats really related to the spring rate. since they are the same should be very close of not spot on. measured 30mm sag with me on it


as it sits now:

[TZRtim]

nice work mate and thanks for posting them pics . one day ill get a lathe but at the same time i need a dedicated shed for it , then power , then lights , heating etc lol