So I love my Fz8 so much but despise the stock rear suspension. It constantly wants to buck me off the bike whenever I hit a small bump. The stock suspension only has preload adjustability and nothing else. So I was looking for a solution and found a person known as Satan 666 that specializes in producing shock adapters for Fz1 and Fz8 utilizing a stock R1 shock. A friend of mine hooked me up with an 06' R1 shock. After receiving it, I went ahead and took the spring off so that I can start powder coating it. I used hot yellow for the color. Oh btw, all this was possible because all the tools and space that I needed to complete the project was at Techshop.

Also, Special thx to my friends at FZ8 forum for their guidance with this instructable and thank you Mike D for helping me with this project.

Step 1: Getting Ready

First things first, lets put her on a rear stand.

Then we take off the two side coverings under the seat. After that we remove the rider's seat so that we can get to the battery and voltage regulator and tray. Lets remove the battery then we can unbolt the voltage regulator from the tray.

Step 2: Suspend for Suspension

Now we need to lift the bike a bit more to take tension off the suspension bolts. I used a forklift with straps since these items were readily available here at the shop. Some prefer a strap system and rafters.

Once you have the bike at the right height the bolts should simply slide out like mine. You can now pull out the rear shock. Here's a pic of the crappy stock shock......yuck.

After pulling out the shock, you will need to raise the bike a bit higher so that the voltage regulator tray can slide out to the back of the bike.

FY!, I am working with a california edition fz8 so there is a bit of a difference with the voltage regulator tray. There will be a fuel canister for emissions bolted to the tray when you take it out.

Step 3: Surgery

Once the tray is out and the canister removed, I started to cut some of the tray. It will allow clearance for the shock reservoir.

The front left mounting point of the upper stamping needed to be removed and needs to be slightly bent back then re welded.
Mounting holes for the fuel canister needs to be elongated so that the canister can be pushed back by 3/8"

Finally, a simple cut to the splash guard will ensure that you can still cover the voltage regulator and clear the shock reservoir.

Step 4: Installing New Shock

Whew all that hard work and we're almost there. Excited yet? once all the cutting is done, install the shock adapter onto shock. Then slide shock assembly into the bike and screw bolts back in. Don't tighten just yet. Slide voltage regulator tray back in and make sure all the holes line up. Install tray bolts. Gently lower bike back down and remove straps once bike is secure. Now you you can tighten the suspension bolts.

Step 5:

Now that we are back down, all we need to do is reverse the process and re install everything back on the bike.

Step 6: All Done!!

Once I've installed the R1 shock, the difference was night and day. The new suspension felt a lot more solid over stock. The ride is 10x much more secure and I felt more confident. Btw, this is before I have taken the bike to a suspension specialist for adjustment. Never knew what good suspension on a motorcycle was after this great mod!!!