Soft

Light

Good

Low

↑

↑

↑

↑

↑

↑

↓

↓

↓

↓

↓

↓

0

Strong

Hard

Heavy

Bad

High

NOTICE
Do not force the rebound damping adjuster beyond
the fully seated position, or the adjusting mechanism may be damaged.

Compression Damping Force Adjustment

adjust the compression damping force, turn the com• To
pression damping adjuster [A] to the desired position.

○The standard adjuster setting is the 1 turn out from the
fully clockwise position.
Compression Damping Force Adjustment
Adjuster
Position

Damping
Force

Setting

Load

Road

4 1/2 turns
out

Weak

Soft

Light

Good

↑

↑

↑

↑

↑

↓

↓

↓

↓

↓

0

Strong

Hard

Heavy

Bad

NOTICE
Do not force the compression damping adjuster
beyond the fully seated position, or the adjusting
mechanism may be damaged.

Spring Preload Adjustment

the rear shock absorber from the frame (see
• Remove
Rear Shock Absorber Removal).
the locknut and turn out the adjusting nut to free
• Loosen
the spring.
Special Tools - Hook Wrench T=3.2 R37: 57001-1539
Hook Wrench R=35: 57001-1580

13-26 SUSPENSION
Rear Shock Absorber
adjust the spring preload, turn in the adjusting nut [A]
• To
to the desired position and tighten the locknut [B].
Spring Length [C]
Spring Preload Setting
Standard:
Spring length 163.7 mm (6.445 in.)
Usable Range:

Spring length 157.0  167.0 mm (6.181
 6.575 in.)

Spring Adjustment
Adjuster
Position

Damping
Force

Setting

Load

Road

Speed

157.0 mm
(6.181 in.)

Weak

Soft

Light

Good

Low

↑

↑

↑

↑

↑

↑

↓

↓

↓

↓

↓

↓

167.0 mm
(6.575 in.)

Strong

Hard

Heavy

Bad

High

Rear Shock Absorber Removal

the brake lever slowly and hold it with a band
• Squeeze
[A].

WARNING
Be sure to hold the front brake when removing the
shock absorber, or the motorcycle may fall over. It
could cause an accident and injury.

• Support the motorcycle with a suitable stand or jack.
• Remove:
Fuel Tank (see Fuel Tank Removal in the Fuel System
(DFI) chapter)
Rear Wheel (see Rear Wheel Removal in the
Wheels/Tires chapter)
Bolts [A]
Left Foot Guard [B]

• Remove:
Lower Rear Shock Absorber Bolt and Nut [A]

SUSPENSION 13-27
Rear Shock Absorber

• Remove:
Upper Rear Shock Absorber Bolt and Nut [A]
• Remove the rear shock absorber [B] upward.

NOTICE
Do not loosen the bolt [A]. The shock absorber
could be damaged.

Rear Shock Absorber Installation

installing the rear shock absorber bracket [A], in• When
stall it so that the recess side [B] faces downward and re-

•

place the rear shock absorber bracket nut [C] with a new
one.
Tighten:
Torque - Rear Shock Absorber Bracket Nut: 60 N·m (6.1
kgf·m, 44 ft·lb)

the rear shock absorber nuts with new ones.
• Replace
Install
the
• Tighten: rear shock absorber.
•
Torque - Rear Shock Absorber Nuts: 35 N·m (3.6 kgf·m, 26
ft·lb)

• Install the removed parts (see appropriate chapters).
Rear Shock Absorber Inspection

the rear shock absorber (see Rear Shock Ab• Remove
sorber Removal).
inspect the following items.
• Visually
Oil Leakage

•

Crack or Dent
If there is any damage to the rear shock absorber, replace
it.
Visually inspect the rubber bushing [A].
If it show any signs of damage, replace it.

13-28 SUSPENSION
Rear Shock Absorber
Rear Shock Absorber Scrapping

WARNING
Since the rear shock absorber contains nitrogen
gas, do not incinerate the rear shock absorber without first releasing the gas or it may explode. Before
a rear shock absorber is scrapped, drill a hole at the
point [A] shown to release the nitrogen gas completely. Wear safety glasses when drilling the hole,
as the gas may blow out bits of drilled metal when
the hole opens.

SUSPENSION 13-29
Swingarm
Swingarm Removal

the brake lever slowly and hold it with a band
• Squeeze
[A].

WARNING
Be sure to hold the front brake when removing the
shock absorber, or the motorcycle may fall over. It
could cause an accident and injury.

• Support the motorcycle with a suitable stand or jack.
• Remove:
Rear Wheel (see Rear Wheel Removal in the
Wheels/Tires chapter)
Engine Sprocket (see Engine Sprocket Removal in the
Final Drive chapter)
Mud Guard with Rear Brake Hose (see Mud Guard Removal in the Frame chapter)
Chain Cover (see Drive Chain Removal/Installation in
the Final Drive chapter)
Rocker Arms (see Rocker Arm Removal)
Clamp Bolt [A]

• Remove the swingarm pivot shaft nut [A].

the swingarm pivot nut wrench [A], loosen the
• Using
swingarm pivot adjusting collar locknut [B].
Special Tool - Swingarm Pivot Nut Wrench: 57001-1597

the swingarm pivot shaft [A] counterclockwise to free
• Turn
the adjusting collar from the swingarm.

○Make the gap between the adjusting collar and swingarm.

out the pivot shaft to the right side and remove the
• Pull
swingarm.

13-30 SUSPENSION
Swingarm
Swingarm Installation

inspect the chain guide [A].
• Visually
Replace the chain guide if it shows any signs of abnormal
wear or damage.

○Apply a non-permanent locking agent to the threads of
the chain guide mounting bolt [B].
○Tighten:
Torque - Chain Guide Mounting Bolt: 1.8 N·m (0.18 kgf·m,
16 in·lb)

grease to the lips of the grease seals [A].
• Apply
Be
sure
• swingarm.to install the grease seals and sleeve [B] to the
• Fit the collar [C] on the grease seal of the left side.

• Install the pins [A] into the holes of the frame, if removed.
○The

NOTE

ZX1000RG/SG models have four pins, and
ZX1000RH/SH/ZH models have two pins per motorcycle.

the collars [B] into the pivot hole of the frame.
• Insert
ZX1000RH/SH/ZH [C]
the cut-outs on the collars with the pins on the frame
• Align
as described below.

○On

NOTE

the ZX1000RG/SG models, note that the collars
have the installation direction. Install the collars so that
its punch mark [D] positioned forward [E] as shown.

Left Side of the ZX1000RG/SG [F]
Right Side of the ZX1000RG/SG [G]
Left Side of the ZX1000RH/SH/ZH [H]
Right Side of the ZX1000RH/SH/ZH [I]

SUSPENSION 13-31
Swingarm
the adjusting collar [A] into the collar [B] so that
• Screw
the adjusting collar does not project the swingarm mating
surface [C].

the swingarm pivot shaft [A] into the adjusting collar
• Insert
[B] from the right side, and tighten the pivot shaft.

NOTE

○Tighten the swingarm pivot shaft until the clearance [C]
between the ball bearing [D] and collar come to 0 mm
(0 in.).
Torque - Swingarm Pivot Shaft: 20 N·m (2.0 kgf·m, 15 ft·lb)

the swingarm pivot nut wrench [A], tighten the
• Using
swingarm pivot adjusting collar locknut [B].
Special Tool - Swingarm Pivot Nut Wrench: 57001-1597
Torque - Swingarm Pivot Adjusting Collar Locknut: 100
N·m (10.2 kgf·m, 73.8 ft·lb)

• Tighten the swingarm pivot shaft nut [C].
Torque - Swingarm Pivot Shaft Nut: 110 N·m (11.2 kgf·m,
81.1 ft·lb)

• Install the removed parts (see appropriate chapters).
Swingarm Bearing Removal

• Remove:
Swingarm (see Swingarm Removal)
Collar [A]
Grease Seals [B]
Sleeve [C]
Circlip [D] (Right Side)
Special Tool - Inside Circlip Pliers: 57001-143

• Remove the ball bearing and needle bearings.
Special Tool - Oil Seal & Bearing Remover [A]: 57001-1058

13-32 SUSPENSION
Swingarm
Swingarm Bearing Installation

the needle bearings, ball bearing, grease seals
• Replace
and circlip with new ones.
the needle bearings, ball bearing, grease seals and
• Install
circlip as shown.

○Insert the needle bearing driver [A] into the needle bearing
[B] and press the needle bearing into the housing until the
driver contacts the end surface of the housing.

NOTE

○For a bearing of the left side, select the pressing side
of the needle bearing driver according to its pressing
depth.
○When pressing in the needle bearings of the left side,
adjust the pressing depth with the spacer [C].
○Install the needle bearings so that the marked side
faces out.
Special Tools - Bearing Driver Set: 57001-1129
Needle Bearing Driver, 28: 57001-1610
Spacer 28:: 57001-1663
Needle Bearing Driver, 20 & Spacer, 28:
57001-1678

○Press in the ball bearing until it bottomed.
Special Tool - Bearing Driver Set: 57001-1129

○Install the circlip.

Special Tool - Inside Circlip Pliers: 57001-143

○Press in the grease seals so that seal surface is flushed
with the end of housing.
Special Tool - Bearing Driver Set: 57001-1129

SUSPENSION 13-33
Swingarm

32 mm (1.26 in.) [A]
1 mm (0.04 in.) [B]
1.5 mm (0.06 in.) [C]
9.5 mm (0.37 in.) [D]
27.5 mm (1.08 in.) [E]
Needle Bearings [F]
Grease Seals [G]
Ball Bearing [H]
Circlip [I]

Swingarm Bearing, Sleeve Inspection
NOTICE
Do not remove the bearings for inspection. Removal may damage them.
the needle bearings [A] and ball bearing installed
• Inspect
in the swingarm.

○The rollers and ball in a bearing normally wear very little,

and wear is difficult to measure. Instead of measuring,
visually inspect the bearing for abrasion, discoloration, or
other damage.
If the needle bearing, and sleeve [B] show any signs of
abnormal wear, discoloration, or damage, replace them
as a set.

13-34 SUSPENSION
Swingarm
the bearing in the swingarm back and forth [A] while
• Turn
checking for plays, roughness, or binding.

•

If bearing play, roughness, or binding is found, replace
the bearing.
Examine the bearing seal [B] for tears or leakage.
If the seal is torn or is leaking, replace the bearing.

Swingarm Bearing Lubrication
NOTE

○Since the bearing are packed with grease and sealed,
lubrication is not required.

SUSPENSION 13-35
Tie-Rod, Rocker Arm
Tie-Rod Removal

• Remove:
Front Footpeg Bracket Bolts [A] (Both Sides)

the brake lever slowly and hold it with a band
• Squeeze
[A].

WARNING
When raising the rear wheel off the ground with the
jack and removing part(s) from the motorcycle, be
sure to hold the front brake, or the motorcycle may
fall over. It could cause an accident and injury.

• Support the motorcycle with a suitable stand or jack.
• Remove:
Upper Tie-Rod Bolt and Nut [A]
Lower Tie-Rod Bolt and Nut [B]
Tie-Rod

Tie-Rod Installation

the tie-rod nuts with new ones.
• Replace
Apply
grease
to the inside of the grease seals.
• Install the tie-rod.
• Tighten:
•
Torque - Tie-Rod Nuts: 35 N·m (3.6 kgf·m, 26 ft·lb)

• Install the removed parts (see appropriate chapters).
Rocker Arm Removal

the brake lever slowly and hold it with a band
• Squeeze
[A].

WARNING
Be sure to hold the front brake when removing the
shock absorber, or the motorcycle may fall over. It
could cause an accident and injury.

• Support the motorcycle with a suitable stand or jack.

13-36 SUSPENSION
Tie-Rod, Rocker Arm

• Remove:
Rear Wheel

(see Rear Wheel Removal in the
Wheels/Tires chapter)
Front Footpeg Bracket Bolts (see Tie-Rod Removal)
Lower Rear Shock Absorber Bolt and Nut [A]
Upper Tie-Rod Bolt and Nut [B]
Rocker Arm Bolt and Nut [C]
Rocker Arm [D] (Both Sides)

Rocker Arm Installation

the upper tie-rod nut, lower rear shock absorber
• Replace
nut and rocker arm nut with new ones.
grease to the inside of the grease seals.
• Apply
Install
• leftward.the rocker arms [A] so that their marks [B] face
• Tighten:
Torque - Rocker Arm Nut: 35 N·m (3.6 kgf·m, 26 ft·lb)
Tie-Rod Nut: 35 N·m (3.6 kgf·m, 26 ft·lb)
Rear Shock Absorber Nut (Lower): 35 N·m (3.6
kgf·m, 26 ft·lb)

• Install the removed parts (see appropriate chapters).
Tie-Rod and Rocker Arm Bearing Removal

• Remove:
Tie-Rod (see Tie-Rod Removal)
•