[WOTEugene]

I want to swap out the crappy stock shock on my Z1000. I know a 636 and a ZX10 shock should fit. I also know that neither will be valved quite right, but should still be an improvement from the stock shock. Do you know which would be a better fit for my weight? I'm around 148lb without gear, probably around 160lb in gear.

[Honclfibr]

I got the impression that Peter wasn't overly impressed with stock kawasaki suspensions. Or anything else kawasaki, for that matter I asked him about swapping a 636 shock onto my 98 zx6r and was told that it wouldn't be worth the trouble. So I bought an ohlins shock instead.

I'd give you a review of it, unfortunately it's rained every damn day since I finished installing the thing. But it looks very cool, oh yeah.

Also, hydraulic preload adjustment rox0rs my b0x0rs. My spanner wrench has become a doorstop; it makes a sucky doorstop but then again it made a sucky suspension adjustment tool so this is to be expected.

[WOTEugene]

I know... I had peter set up my Ohlins in my SV. Unfortunately, funds are limited at the moment, and I'm looking for a cheapo improvement for the Z.

[gmdboston]

I don't care what name is on the shock, and your wrong about my feelings on Kawasaki. Stock suspension is fine as long for street use and very light track day use. I don't relvalve very many stock shocks, because by the time you get done with a Gold valve, spring and labor you are most of the way to a good aftermarket with much better damping, ride height adjustment and spring selection. Swaping stock shocks from one bike to another is usually a waste of time and a step backwards. Most of the time guys swap shock for one that has adjustments, but if the length, stroke, spring rate and damping curve are wrong you're better off with the stock unit. Most of the time on or more is wrong and it makes the bike worse, although after spending hours on the internet researching shocks on mailing lists posted by people that don't understand suspension and combing eBay for just the right dea on a stock shock taken out od a stolen bikel and then nearly smashing the bike to bits when it falls of the tie down straps used to hang it from the garage ceiling joists, bleeding profusly from every knuckle and finally running to the hardware store for new SAE bolts to replace the metric ones lost and/or stripped, who would ever admit that the stocker was better????? Seriously, if you work over time for half of the time you would spend chasing around after stock shocks trying to save a few bucks, I can sell you a Penske or Ohlins at a good price, that will fit right, work better and your boss will be happy you got work done instead of googling "636 Stock Shock" three times a day...lol.