Just came back from my first ride after "needle shim mod" - Page 2

David Bo · 04-14-2009, 06:33 PM

That is a nice bike... What model year are you looking at? I think they look kinda similar to the GZ but with a skinny front tire.

Easy Rider · 04-14-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Bo

That is a nice bike... What model year are you looking at? I think they look kinda similar to the GZ but with a skinny front tire.

An '07 with less than 2K miles. It appears that '07 was the last year for the small Shadows. Pity.
Not sure I will like the extra rake and skinny front as I'm sure it will handle a bit differently.
Other minor drawback: it is "girley RED". :biggrin:

David Bo · 04-14-2009, 07:57 PM

Red is not too bad a color... I have a friend that I used to ride with who had a PURPLE Shadow 1100 (a 2004 I think). Now THAT is a girley color! It had flames on the gas tank too. Holy crap... That bike cried estrogen!

music man · 04-14-2009, 08:22 PM

The severe drawback to the Shadow 600 is that it has a tiny gas tank on it, and combining that with the lower gas mileage it will seem like you are stopping every five minutes for gas (not that I wouldn't ride one).

And also that annoying gap between the gas tank and the seat, and that hideous big silver bolt sticking out, I don't know where they were going with that, (but again, not saying for the right price I wouldn't ride one).

Blackbird · 04-14-2009, 09:21 PM

The K & N Filter is SU-5589, I put it in Raven and it fits well. The main jet I'm using now is a 132.5 and it does well. I also picked up a 137 to try out later down the road, if at all. With my new exhaust and these alterations it pulls well up hills in a higher gear. Now I'm just cooking up more fun add ons for Raven, she likes it! Enjoy your GZ's .... that's why Suzuki made them for us. :2tup: :2tup:

Easy Rider · 04-14-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by music man

The severe drawback to the Shadow 600 is that it has a tiny gas tank on it,

And also that annoying gap between the gas tank and the seat,

I noticed both of those things.

Given that my old bones need regular stretching, 2 gal. @ 50 MPG makes for a stop every 2 hours; sometimes I don't make it that long.

I think my sheepskin gel pad will cover the ugly gap.

David Bo · 04-14-2009, 10:09 PM

Blackbird, did you change out your exhaust as well? If so, what did you put on?

Blackbird · 04-15-2009, 08:11 AM

David Bo ...

Quote:

Blackbird, did you change out your exhaust as well? If so, what did you put on?

Yes I did. An Emgo 26" megaphone exhaust (not Dunstall). A little bit longer than the stock exhaust. Has a community friendly, wife approved, sound. Go here for a peek ...
http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_c ... Id=&mmyId=

David Bo · 04-15-2009, 08:56 AM

Yep. That is the one I have on order. Did you install it yourself? If so, can you walk me through the cutting and swapping phase? I am a little nervious about screwing something up.

Blackbird · 04-15-2009, 12:42 PM

There is nothing to be nervous about. The "how to" from this site is what I followed, sort of.
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
Pull the heat shield off, only 2 screws. As you face the exhaust system your cut will be just to the left of the factory weld. I used a sawzall and a smaller hand hack saw (to get between the frame and exhaust pipe). I used new steel cutting blades which will cut through the outer layer of the muffler fairly quick. Make certain to stop (several times) and look to see that you don't cut through the inner pipe. Do this often. Even use the hand saw to do finishing cuts if you need to. Once you cut through the muffler it will easily slide off of the inner pipe. Don't forget to unbolt the back end of the muffler. I mounted the new muffler with the hanger, cut off the hanger what was not needed, used my grinder to round and smooth the edges and tighten the bolts down. The local muffler shop (2 blocks away) welded the new muffler on. $20 and maybe 10 minutes of time was all that was needed. Make sure they cover your bike near the area being welded so as not to burn your paint job on the frame. Also make sure that the muffler is aligned to your likening, then weld. Install the heat shield, it should fit fairly well.

04-14-2009, 06:33 PM	#11
David Bo Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northbridge, MA Posts: 96	Re: Just came back from my first ride after "needle shim mod" That is a nice bike... What model year are you looking at? I think they look kinda similar to the GZ but with a skinny front tire. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-14-2009, 07:57 PM	#13
David Bo Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northbridge, MA Posts: 96	Re: Just came back from my first ride after "needle shim mod" Red is not too bad a color... I have a friend that I used to ride with who had a PURPLE Shadow 1100 (a 2004 I think). Now THAT is a girley color! It had flames on the gas tank too. Holy crap... That bike cried estrogen! Login or Register to Remove Ads
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04-14-2009, 08:22 PM	#14
music man Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Hot Springs Arkansas Posts: 1,127	Re: Just came back from my first ride after "needle shim mod" The severe drawback to the Shadow 600 is that it has a tiny gas tank on it, and combining that with the lower gas mileage it will seem like you are stopping every five minutes for gas (not that I wouldn't ride one). And also that annoying gap between the gas tank and the seat, and that hideous big silver bolt sticking out, I don't know where they were going with that, (but again, not saying for the right price I wouldn't ride one). __________________ "Tell me what kind of wreck you're going to have and I'll tell you what type of helmet you need." [Author Unknown]
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04-14-2009, 09:21 PM	#15
Blackbird Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lake Orion, Michigan Posts: 80	Re: Just came back from my first ride after "needle shim mod" The K & N Filter is SU-5589, I put it in Raven and it fits well. The main jet I'm using now is a 132.5 and it does well. I also picked up a 137 to try out later down the road, if at all. With my new exhaust and these alterations it pulls well up hills in a higher gear. Now I'm just cooking up more fun add ons for Raven, she likes it! Enjoy your GZ's .... that's why Suzuki made them for us. :2tup: :2tup: Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

04-14-2009, 10:09 PM	#17
David Bo Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northbridge, MA Posts: 96	Re: Just came back from my first ride after "needle shim mod" Blackbird, did you change out your exhaust as well? If so, what did you put on?
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04-15-2009, 08:56 AM	#19
David Bo Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northbridge, MA Posts: 96	Re: Just came back from my first ride after "needle shim mod" Yep. That is the one I have on order. Did you install it yourself? If so, can you walk me through the cutting and swapping phase? I am a little nervious about screwing something up.
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04-15-2009, 12:42 PM	#20
Blackbird Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Lake Orion, Michigan Posts: 80	Re: Just came back from my first ride after "needle shim mod" There is nothing to be nervous about. The "how to" from this site is what I followed, sort of. viewtopic.php?f=8&t=19&st=0&sk=t&sd=a Pull the heat shield off, only 2 screws. As you face the exhaust system your cut will be just to the left of the factory weld. I used a sawzall and a smaller hand hack saw (to get between the frame and exhaust pipe). I used new steel cutting blades which will cut through the outer layer of the muffler fairly quick. Make certain to stop (several times) and look to see that you don't cut through the inner pipe. Do this often. Even use the hand saw to do finishing cuts if you need to. Once you cut through the muffler it will easily slide off of the inner pipe. Don't forget to unbolt the back end of the muffler. I mounted the new muffler with the hanger, cut off the hanger what was not needed, used my grinder to round and smooth the edges and tighten the bolts down. The local muffler shop (2 blocks away) welded the new muffler on. $20 and maybe 10 minutes of time was all that was needed. Make sure they cover your bike near the area being welded so as not to burn your paint job on the frame. Also make sure that the muffler is aligned to your likening, then weld. Install the heat shield, it should fit fairly well.
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