1g b12 shock install on a 1g b6

[flip]

I installed a 2000 b12 shock on my 96 b6 this evening. It was a very easy swap. The only problem was that the bolt for the lower shock mount was a little short because the bottom part of the b12 shock is aluminum and thicker than the same steel part of the b6 shock. The b12 shock seemed to be about 1/8" longer than the b6 shock.
     While the shocks were off, I measured the thickness of the springs. The 96 b6 shock spring was .385", the 2000 b12 was .417". I also measured a 2g b12 shock I have. I don't recall what year b12 it is supposed to be from. It measured .454".

[Red01]

The year of the 2G won't matter - but there is a difference in the rear shock/spring of the naked bikes and the softer "S" model's.

[flip]

I got to test out the b12 shock today. I went to Chimney Rock with about a dozen other people. The rear suspension worked much better. No bottoming out and much better control.

[tacoman]

I was suprised by the improvement also.  The first time out on the B6 when it was stock I hit some railroad tracks.  Wham! A nice jolt up the spine courtesy of the wimpy suspension.  Progressive fork springs and the B12 shock are good mods for the $$.

[ratbike05]

I just swapped out my b6 spring for the b12 spring and made a world of difference.  Next will be the progressive fork springs.

[Oldschooler]

So where does one get their hands on a B12 shock or B12 shock spring and how much? I have a 96 600S.

[Red01]

Ask for one in the parts wanted section or ebay. They're usually pretty cheap - like ~$20.

[flip]

I got my shock on ebay for about $25 with shipping. I originally tried to put a 2g b12 shock on but that didn't work out. That shock is now on EBAY. That shock will not work on a 1g b6 without doing some grinding.

[Oldschooler]

Did it change your ride hight any?

How about cornering with bumps? I was wondering if it were so stiff the rear bounced out a little on the rough stuff. I've been on a stiff bike that had that problem. Was setup to hard and the rear would walk out a bit on average bumps while cornering. Boy that will get your heart pumping let me tell ya  

My wife likes to ride with me a lot and I thought your 1G B12 shock mod might be a good way for me to get a better ride out of it with her on the back. She's 5'08 and about 145. My 600 does fine with it except for the bottoming thing you talked about.

[flip]

To me, tjhe ride is more balanced front to rear now. I had added Progreesive fork springs and 15 weight fork oil last year. The ride is okay for me but I weigh about 300 lbs. I think tacoman is running the same set up. You might want to talk to him. He is probably closer to an average size person than me.

[Oldschooler]

So flip,

Just so I got this right. The only mod you had to make to yur 1G B6 was to get a longer bolt? No grinding or anything? How long did take ya?  I'm only asking because there is a very good chance I'm going to do the same thing.  

[flip]

It took me about an hour or a little more to swap the shock. It's just a remove and replace job. The longer bolt is all you will need. I would suggest cleaning and greasing the mounting points on the suspension while you have them loose. I would also suggest you use some thread locker on the nuts when you install them. And please PUT YOUR BIKE UP ON THE CENTER STAND BEFORE YOU START UNBOLTING THE SUSPENSION!

[Oldschooler]

Will do... Thx  

[Oldschooler]

Okay,

I got a 1G B12 shock (Thx chevsuz12   ) installed on my 96 B6. The funny thing was when I had them both side by side the B6 shock looked like it had a thicker tower. The springs looked the same. The B12 looked like it had a tad bit more travel than the B6.



I  rode around on it and there is most definetly a big differance. My B6 now just rides over railroad tracks rather than slamming over them. If I'm two up with my wife the rear just bounces over bumps rather than bottoming out and hammering us. That is WAY COOL  

If I play around and quickly throw it from side to side ( within my own lane though) it used to squash way down and almost bottom. Now it just goes over and back with no squish or plushy felling.

Very nice mod!

One other thing. What is the little dial with four numbers on it on the bottom of the shock, and how do you know what number you should be looking at?

[Red01]

One other thing. What is the little dial with four numbers on it on the bottom of the shock,

Compression damping adjuster

and how do you know what number you should be looking at?

That's the better question.  

Since it has only 4 settings, you should be able to figure it out by trial & error pretty easily though.  
(Gives you a perfect excuse to go out for multiple rides while you test out the various settings.)