I have just replaced the standard shock on my B1H with a virtually new one from a 2012 bike and thought I'd share some useful information.
Beforehand, I did a lot of searching to see exactly what additional parts were needed and what difference it would make to the geometry of the bike, but couldn't seem to find any definitive answers.
I bought a shock, plus entire linkage and measured everything up. Both shocks are 338mm long between the centre of the top and bottom mounting holes. The linkages are virtually identical within a mm or so, therefore, there should be virtually no change in the geometry of the bike. The main difference is that the mounting gap at the bottom of the 03/04 shock is 32mm and only 30mm on the 09/12 one.
After removing the old shock, I went to remove the linkage arm, but the bolt holding the linkage to the frame wouldn't come out without removing the exhaust downpipes. So after looking at both linkages and measuring them, I discovered that I could leave the existing linkage in place and just swap the sleeve and 2 oil seals (circled below).
The main uni-trak arm part of the linkage is exactly the same width where the shock bolts on, it's only the sleeve and oil seals which makes it 2mm wider on the B1H. These only cost about £15 to get the 09/12 parts. The added benefit of keeping the B1H linkage arm is that it has grease nipples, so you don't have to take it apart to grease it up.
I'm guessing that there is similarly very little difference with the 05/06 and 07/08 shocks/linkages as well as the above.
I'm curious. Why does every 03/04 636 owner always refer to their bike as a B1H? Yeah I know that's the model number, but why include it? I don't refer to my 06 ZZR fighter as a J6F.
Anyways the shock swap is a very common mod. I'm surprised to hear that the shocks from the 03/04 636 and the 09-12 are the same length. I measured an 05/06 636 shock against my 09 and they were not the same. I believe the 09 was 5 mm or so longer. My stock J shock was still a little longer than the 09 shock, so I just added a spacer (large washers) to keep the same geometry. Pretty simple solution.
I'm curious. Why does every 03/04 636 owner always refer to their bike as a B1H? Yeah I know that's the model number, but why include it? I don't refer to my 06 ZZR fighter as a J6F.
Possible because there were three different models made in the 03-04 range. Technically an 04 would be a B2H but it's still the same model as the 03 B1H. The other two models were the 03 ZX6RR K1 and the 04 ZX6RR M1. Or maybe it's b/c B1H is shorter than typing out 03-04 636 :O . I usually just call them B's.
You can actually just loosen the header a bit to get that last bolt out. It's not to bad getting to all the header bolts once you swing the radiator up.
Brands6R, thanks again for putting this info together. I just swapped a '12 shock into my 03 ZX6RR exactly as you did and it looks like there no notable change in ride height or anything as you said. Can't wait to try it out!
Have look at the 2012 manual and start with stock. I found I needed more preload and a couple of extra clicks comp and rebound. It I ha e it set up for mainly track use
Off the top of my head, I think I've got pretty much the stock settings, but had to add 5 clicks of rebound damping, because the rear was pogo-ing out of corners at the standard 15 out. Works good on the track for me.
I am planning to change my 2003 ZX-6R shock with used 2012 ZX-6R shock.
I see that there are no problems to fit it except that 2003 bottom shock sleeve length is 32 mm and 2009-2012 is 30 mm.
But I was thinking why not to buy 2016 shock ?
I see that mounting sleeve on 2016 is the same 30 mm.
The only problem I see in shock stroke:
year 2003 - length 340 mm +12/-0 mm, stroke 72.5 mm;
year 2012 - length 341 mm, +2/-4 mm, stroke 64 mm
year 2016 - length 341 mm +2/-4 mm, stroke 64 mm
So I don't see any difference from 2009-2012 and 2013-2016 shocks
Should I use 2012 shock or maybe I could mount 2016 as it will have less wearing....
And what about stroke difference ? I'm afraid to bottom out the shock as it could result to crash :/
Just ordered a 2012 rear shock for my 03 B1H. I need to order the sleeve and oil seals now. Still a few months till the snow goes, can't wait to try this out.
I am thinking to make a risk and order 2013-2016 shock as it will have less wear...
I think it should be the same shock with the same adjustments: spring rate, compression damping, rebound damping, high speed compression damping
on OHLINS site I see the only difference in fitted spring:
KA 361 - 2009-2012 - 21040-31 (Y)
KA 362 - 2013-2016 - 21040-36 (Y)
so on 2013-2016 zx6r the spring should harder. I don't know is it the same situation on OEM shocks.... :|
and yes the sleeve has to be 2 mm shorter.... so I will need to buy it to...
You're probably best going with an 09-12 shock, especially since others have done it and seem to have had luck with the set up. Lots of them on eBay, that's where I found the one I ordered.
The 2012 shock that I ordered arrived this week. It looks like it is in great condition. One thing I noticed though is that the top of the shock seems to be turned to the left a bit. When you look at the shock straight on with the way it would mount at the bottom to the linkage the top doesn't look like it line up, seems to be off to the left. I don't know much about rear shocks so I'll attach some pictures, if someone could tell me if this is normal, or if there is a way to adjust it to line up that would be great because I don't know anything about it. Thanks.
Ok, I was able to turn it, I actually turned it all the way around a couple times then forgot where it was originally lol. What does turning the bottom of it do? Is it tightening or loosening something depending on which way I turn it? I just want to make sure that I have it in the proper position. Again, I'm not that familiar with rear shocks, I downloaded the 09-12 zx6r service manual but I don't see anything about the bottom part turning. I attached a picture to highlight what I'm referring to.
I don't see any problems you can turn it as much as you like
You can adjust just four parameters:
- spring tension
- rebound damping
- compression damping
- quick rebound damping
And I think fifth parameter would be swingarm angle (rear height) as you can put bushings between top shock mounting bracket and the frame
And you need to check it as 2009-2012 shock is about 10 mm shorter than original 2003 shock
Quick question.
Has anyone fitted the ohlins ttx gp (ka-361/362) on their 2008 zx6r. Been searching and can't find any info on whether this works. Also been considering the nitron race pro shock, but nitron only makes the R3 for the 2008 zx6r.
How different is the mounting for the 2008 and 2009 zx6r?
they give measurements of the sleeves and I think it will be the same: 30 mm bottom and the same mounting on top but I'm not surre so you need to check it
on ohlins page I see that 2008 shock has 67 mm stroke and 2009 has 64 mm
it is not big difference I think...
I'm just third year on bike so need to learn a lot...
I also was thinking about Nitron shock on my 2003 zx6r but after I decided that I need to learn ride on track and later to buy something newer than 2003 bike and don't do big investments in old bike
I will put 2009-2012 zx6r shock because original shock is to bad
Just dropped my bike off at the shop for a spring tune up this weekend. They are going to install the 2012 shock in my 03 zx6r.
I'm wondering what any of you would recommend for settings on the rebound damping and compression damping? The shop isn't going to get at the bike until Wednesday or Thursday so I need to let them know before then what settings I want. I don't know much about the settings, so I figured I would just tell them to set it to the stock settings, however those settings are for a rider roughly 150lbs and I weigh 175lbs. Any recommendations?
I got my bike back from the shop. I told them to tweak the shock settings for my weight. I weigh 175lbs, and I'm not sure if height makes much difference but I'm around 5 foot 7 inches tall. Here is what they set the shock settings to:
Spring preload set at 175mm
Rebound damping at 12 clicks
Low speed compression at 2.5 clicks
High speed compression at 2.5 clicks
I took it for a ride yesterday, about 100km. The bike felt a lot better than with the old '03 shock that was on it, but I did find that in a few rough sections I almost bounced a bit on the seat which was a littler different for me. I'll have to ride it a bit more to find out if its good or needs to be adjusted. I'm not entirely sure why they set the spring preload at 175mm since the standard it 179mm but maybe that was because of my weight? The old 03 shock was set at 180mm, I'm not too concerned though because half a centimeter difference isn't really enough to throw the bike off I don't think. What do any of you think of those settings? Any recommendations?
there are lots of info about suspension setup
for example
there is no correct setup because every time it is individual and it depends from your weight, riding style, tire wear, track, street, old/new fork/shock oil, bike performance and etc...
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R Forum
1.2M posts
47K members
Since 2006
A forum community dedicated to Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6R motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, racing, modifications, classifieds, maintenance, and more!