'78 KZ1000 makeover

Ok, Ok, if we must be practical, then I have another idea from a different Italian builder. Why not go with the MV Agusta style exhaust 4 in 4 out all under the tail. Might be too wide to fit under the KZ tail. I guess you could stack them. Take a header collector and turn it around backwards to use as a tip. That way you won't be roasting Mama's keister directly. Guess you won't see many stock MV exhausts for sale on ebay like you do for say a K7 Gixxer. Don't see many MV's with a slip-on do ya?

The idea crossed my mind a few months ago...until I priced used ones on ebay :ohmy: There's a used Arrow RG3 up for auction right now for the MV....bidding is only at $627 with 3 days left :whistle: I think to cut costs in the short run, I'll use a stock undertail muffler. As far as fitting under the stock KZ tail, I am thinking I may need to lay up a glass replica tail that is a little wider to fit what I want. Great idea though testarossa, keep 'em comming!

i think maybe beasley or airtech sells wider longer tailsections for dragracing maybe a cheaper easier way to go.

Thanks Timebomb, I'll look into that. It would certainly save me time, and potentialy be cheaper than fabbing my own...but mostly faster than prototyping my own one off part. :whistle:

I dropped off my cylinder, head and valve cover at J&P's this afternoon. I apologise to everyone hoping to know their exact process, but when I asked exactly how they made my cases look so awesome, they just smiled and said that alot of the local shops would love to know their "3 or 4 step process" and that is was proprietary. We'll see though, I still have some time to pester it out of them

Now, on for some good news!
I drove the 60 miles to Long Beach and visited a salvage shop there that had a Speed Triple SSSA. After some hagling and rooting around for the rear caliper that had dissapeared (didn't find it) I walked out with this beautiful hunk of aluminum and steel -

It's so pretty!

The top view (as if no one's ever seen one of these)

Single sided swingarm....Droooooooooooooool!

Larry and I have spoke on this concept numerous times.... Would love to do one... Definitely keep a project posting going on your progress...


I just got wood... :blush: ...:laugh:

The profile. I was suprised at how clean this swingarm was for the price. Unfortunately, it is not entirely complete - I still need to source or make the side bushings for the swingarm pivot and get a rear caliper. But for 230 bones, I was satisfied I didn't get ripped off :woohoo:

Good stuff. Gonna be interesting.

OMR, I plan to do just that Now that I've put up some pics, lets get to some numbers!
The '08 Triumph swingarm measurements are as follows -
Pivot centerline to axle centerline = 19 13/16"
(compared to 19 5/8" as measured on stock swinger, still mounted on frame)
Triumph swingarm width at pivot = 11 3/16"
Swingarm axle width inside flange heads = 13 1/4"
Weight (as measured on my absolutely precise bathroom scale) = 34.5 lbs

I was surprised at the heft of this part, but I have to keep in mind that most of the rear wheel components are incorporated into the swinger instead of the wheel. Besides, I'm not doing this for the weight savings! :laugh:

Single sided will be totally cool! Thanks for sharing and please keep us updated. I'm not familiar with a single sided swingarm at all, so even the pictures you posted are very interesting. This will be an awesome build to watch. Keep up the good work!

I can promise you all that this is as exciting for me as it will be for you. I can just about guarantee some mistakes and setbacks, but thats what projects are all about! :laugh:

I do have a question about posting though, if someone thats been here longer can enlightne me: Should I keep this build entirely in my projects post, or should I break it up: i.e. make a post in the chassis forum for the frame jig and modifications, or in the engine forum for the engine build....Thanks for your support my friends. With your help I plan to make one sweeeeeet little scoot!