GPZ500s rear shock gone (ZX9R possible swap)+starting issue

[john24ssj]

Hello,

Want to upgrade the shock of GPZ500 I searched on ebay and can't find anything decent but found loads of ZX9R rear shocks on sale for £20 and was wondering if that would fit her bike?

And the other issue is bike has issue with starting sometimes, but it's something to do the gear box. With ignition on and pressing the starter button you can hear clicking noise but it's not the battery as it's fully charged and new. What I need to do is put it in gear and role the bike forwards to move the cylinder and then the bike will start just fine.

Any ideas guys?

Thanks
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[B5234FT]

The normal shock swap is the SV650 yellow spring unit which is also available cheap on ebay. Some combine with lowering links as the shock is a little longer.

https://www.ex-500.com/15-suspension-tires-chassis/3842-sv650-shock-swap-write-up-results.html

Sounds like a sticking solenoid or something

[john24ssj]

[pompousporcup...]

if you cant stretch the £200odd for a new replacement, the sv650 shock can be made to work with very little hassle. It will however raise the rear ride height a little which quickens the steering a bit.

If your gf is a bit on the short side then i wouldn't do it without changing dog bones to put the height back to the way it was.. it may just be easier to front the cash for a new replacement shock from wemoto or gpzzone.co.uk


second issue could be a suspect starter clutch (relatively easy fix) or possible side stand cut off related..although im not sure how rolling it forward would make that work.

[B5234FT]

[Rogerborg]

[B5234FT]

[Kickstart]

Hi

The current 250 / 300 Kawasaki rear shocks fit I think (I hesitate to use the word Ninja).

The SV shock can be fitted and I did one a while ago. But they are a pain.

The shock is quite a bit longer. Normal bodge is to drill a hole further up the U shaped bottom mount of the shock, but an MOT tester might have an issue about modifying a shock this way. The mounting holes on the SV shock are smaller so both top and bottom mounts been drilling out. The spring is about 10mm wider than the stock shock and catches on the dog bones; fix I did for this was to source some longer bolts and use penny washers to space the dog bones out to clear. Finding long enough bolts of a high enough spec can be fun, and the ones I landed up finding had a coarser thread so the original (locking type) nuts couldn't be used, hence loctite used on them.

All the best

Katy
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[john24ssj]

[Rogerborg]

No guarantee that it'll fit, but Ninja 300 shock, £70 from Germany.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[stinkwheel]

So does it sound like the starter motor is spinning? It should make a whizzing sound if it's spinning but not engaged in which case suspect the starter clutch.

A starter clicking but not turning then starting when you roll the bike forwards in gear sounds like a mucky commutator or worn out brush on the starter motor.

Clicking means power is getting as far as the solenoid and the solenoid is moving so the idiot-switch lockouts aren't to blame.

Worth checking if it's the solenoid but rolling the bike forwards shouldn't make any difference to a dead solenoid. In my experience they either work or they don't.

So if it's spinning, check the starter clutch. If it's not spinning then does spin when rolled, the starter motor itself needs servicing.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[john24ssj]

[Kickstart]

Hi

How old is the GPZ500? We had the same issue with the first one we had, and it was the first sign of the magnets coming off the flywheel (a very common issue with the early GPZ500).

All the best

Katy
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[john24ssj]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Should be a late shape (17" wheel) one so the flywheels are generally safe

All the best

Katy
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[john24ssj]

Just to let you know guys:

Took the starter motor out and upon checking it, we found that one of the carbon brushes was fully gone. Replaced it with a new one and everything seems to be perfect now. No more starting issues.
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Bikes: Honda CBR600Fi, Kawasaki ER5

[Rogerborg]

Thanks for the followup, good to hear you got it sorted.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike