Does anyone happen to know the free length of the newgen rear spring? Looking at http://faq.ninja250.org/wiki/Installing_an_08_shock_on_a_Classic, it's obviously shorter than the pregen, but I haven't been able to find an actual length of either spring. From http://forums.ninja250.org/viewtopic.php?t=37107, the pregen's looks to be similar to the EX500's (which is 8-3/4" long). The newgen looks like it could be 3/4" to 1" shorter than that maybe?

free length is exact 172.5 mm what should be app. 6.8 inch.

I didn't take my new shock apart to verify the free length, but that seems reasonable to me. At the lowest preload setting, the spring measured about 6-1/2" (165mm). Going to the middle preload setting, it was just over 6-1/4" (~159mm).

I figured that since I already took these measurements, I might as well post them up in case someone is looking for the info in the future.