[AfroNinja56]

What’s up y’all. Just got my hands on a ‘95 EX500 and wanted to know what my options were for raising the ride height. I’m 6’3 265 and stocksettings aren’t cutting it. New to motorcycles but eager and ready to learn some mechanic skills. Any tutorials, advice on parts to buy, videos, and/or must have tools would be really helpful.

Cheers 🤝

 

[FlipFlop]

@fog look in the for sale section he sells dogbones aka "Fogbones" that are higher quality than the stock ones and it raises the rear of the bike you will love them.

 

[AfroNinja56]

@fog look in the for sale section he sells dogbones aka "Fogbones" that are higher quality than the stock ones and it raises the rear of the bike you will love them.

Thanks brotha!

 

[ducatiman]

Welcome

Basic Maintenance

What your bike needs to be it's best

www.ex-500.com

a good starting point to learn EX500 requirements

 

[Wrencher86]

You're also going to want new springs. The fronts are easy enough to source through Racetech (pro-tip: the second gen bikes are listed under "Ninja 500", not "EX 500" on the Racetech site). For the rear, cheapest and easiest is to find a stock cast-off from a different bike. Ninja 300 rear shocks are popular direct swaps. SV650 shocks require some light modification. I've a got an older shock from a 99-03 ZR7S laying around that I plan to swap onto my bike. Others have said it's a direct replacement, but I can't confirm that yet.

 

[AfroNinja56]

You're also going to want new springs. The fronts are easy enough to source through Racetech (pro-tip: the second gen bikes are listed under "Ninja 500", not "EX 500" on the Racetech site). For the rear, cheapest and easiest is to find a stock cast-off from a different bike. Ninja 300 rear shocks are popular direct swaps. SV650 shocks require some light modification. I've a got an older shock from a 99-03 ZR7S laying around that I plan to swap onto my bike. Others have said it's a direct replacement, but I can't confirm that yet.

Will the 2013-2017 300 shocks fit?

 

[Sarge2481]

Will the 2013-2017 300 shocks fit?

yes, put one from a 2014 Ninja 300 on my 2005 Ninja 500. I did an entire writeup on a budget suspension upgrade, here's the link: Suspension overhaul w/ Racetech springs

 

[AfroNinja56]

yes, put one from a 2014 Ninja 300 on my 2005 Ninja 500. I did an entire writeup on a budget suspension upgrade, here's the link: Suspension overhaul w/ Racetech springs

Thanks man!

 

[Elsevere]

One more thing on the rear suspension. I weight 260#, and swapped out to the '08-'12 rear suspsension. It was a direct bolt in, and I recall using it for it's stiffer spring than what I could find elsewhere. Obviously it is still garbage compared to an aftermarket shock, but It is another option for you to look for. I didn't really notice a change in ride height with it alone.

 

[AfroNinja56]

her name’s Cholula

 

[AfroNinja56]

One more thing on the rear suspension. I weight 260#, and swapped out to the '08-'12 rear suspsension. It was a direct bolt in, and I recall using it for it's stiffer spring than what I could find elsewhere. Obviously it is still garbage compared to an aftermarket shock, but It is another option for you to look for. I didn't really notice a change in ride height with it alone.

Any advice on removing the shock/linkage bolts? I managed to get the OEM bones out but the two shock bolts are a bxtch!

 

[AfroNinja56]

What’s up y’all. Just got my hands on a ‘95 EX500 and wanted to know what my options were for raising the ride height. I’m 6’3 265 and stocksettings aren’t cutting it. New to motorcycles but eager and ready to learn some mechanic skills. Any tutorials, advice on parts to buy, videos, and/or must have tools would be really helpful.

Cheers 🤝

Update. Got my racetech fork springs and a 250 shock for the rear with a new spring on the way. @fog thanks for the dog bones. Not installed yet becuz of stubborn bolts but workin on it. Downed the bike two weeks ago. Went over a speedbump at 30mph and the suspension bottomed out and my a$$ went flying. Repainting my cans and fairings. Some fiber glass epoxy did the trick as filler. Stay tuned and thanks to the fellas that lent some advice!

 

[bpe]

Any advice on removing the shock/linkage bolts? I managed to get the OEM bones out but the two shock bolts are a bxtch!

The shock is pretty easy. To remove the rocker arm you will have to remove the exhaust system and support the bike with a jack so that the center stand can be retracted.

 

[haybaler]

"I just want to tell you ... good luck. We're all counting on you."

 

[AfroNinja56]

The shock is pretty easy. To remove the rocker arm you will have to remove the exhaust system and support the bike with a jack so that the center stand can be retracted.

I worked around it and removed the “casing” the bolt was in. The jack won’t fit in that space because of one of the bars leasing to the exhaust.

 

[AfroNinja56]

View attachment 53435
her name’s Cholula

Fog bones are in and it feels so much better suited to my height/weight. For the tight nuts/bolts I slid my toolbox under the wheel so get it at a height where the bolts come out easier and go in easy. I highly recommend buying a long breaker bar from home depot and some bar extensions. You’ll also need another 17mm socket. You definitely feel more upright with the new shock and bones.

 

[AfroNinja56]

Any advice on removing the shock/linkage bolts? I managed to get the OEM bones out but the two shock bolts are a bxtch!

Progress. She still needs some work but. Going to solder and heat shrink the cables sticking out for the headlight and blinkers.

 

[AfroNinja56]

I lied, burnt out the clutch 😂😅