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I wonder...
- mark1122
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- Keep twisting it
I have done most of this stuff, and it does handle better. but it can never be as good as a newer zx.
The first thing I did was frame gussets, then the zrx rear end then the zx9 front end.
I felt that the zrx arm reduced the flex quite a bit. The biggest improvement for me was the zx9 front end.
Before the suspension mods, if I followed a crack in the pavement I could feel it travel from 1 end of the bike to the other as the forks, frame and swing arm flexed. Less after the new arm and none after the forks. The same thing when u lean in a corner. But now in the corners it takes more undulation in the road to make it flex. It now flexes more in the frame, so it feels more of a harsh short flex rather than a soft long flex. Does that make any sense? It’s a dif feel. A lot of it is the cool factor but there is def an improvement.
It turns in easier than before , due to the 24* rake rather than the kz’s stock rake of 26*.
In a nutshell it gives u more confidence in a turn. But is it worth the money? Very subjective, there is no real answer. I love my improvements for 2 reasons, its cool and its better.
When I ride a new zx6 it is night and day better. They fall into a turn with NO effort. The KZ still needs to be pulled into a turn.
i think the ideal solution for ME would be to have 2 bikes. My trusty KZ for looks (no mods required really),and a zx10 for power and handling.
But since I cant afford 2, I may as well mod the 1 I have. Then I get the cool factor and a little improvement.
76 KZ, frame gusset work,1200CC.Ported by Larry Cavanaugh, 1.5mm.over intakes, Carron Pipe, ZRX12 rear end, and seat,96zx9 front end.
01 CBR600F4i Track bike.
Cobourg, Ont. Can.
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- mark1122
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HMMMM well George that is a very good question indeed.
for one myself the kz650c that i race has agpz750frt end and rear along with the wheels.the frame has been raked and brace at the front sides and rear.more rigid frame.has tapered bearings in the crown.has roller bearings in the swingarm.has progressive shocks.fork brace and steering dampner.all this for racing.plus a few other little things. but all in all is a great handling bike on the track.the bike in question that i mentioned is modeled after both my 75 Z1's.but this topic is about street bikes not race bikes,seeing as i had some time to kill.also George hope you and the wife have a great time on weekend.am jealous because there is still a lot of snow up here and the course i usualy go to is still covered in a blanket of white 2-3 foot thick.
Regards Paul
Paul can u elaborate on the rakeing? i know it is common and mine was done before i bought it.it is suposed to improve high speed stability but i dont seem to have an isue with less rake now . all the new bikes have less.
did u race your bike before and after the raking?
76 KZ, frame gusset work,1200CC.Ported by Larry Cavanaugh, 1.5mm.over intakes, Carron Pipe, ZRX12 rear end, and seat,96zx9 front end.
01 CBR600F4i Track bike.
Cobourg, Ont. Can.
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- 650ed
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1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- Old Man Rock
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Probably none of this rambling addresses the original question which is yes, all these add ons are solely for looks, not function.
Ron, you truly believe that?
No flame war here just wondering for reasoning and regards to all the new technologies these manufacturers have developed ($$$ & R&D) for the last 25 years in braking, weight distributions, strengths, tire designs/gripping, suspension set ups and such I can't believe this is only for looks.
Maybe I'm wrong, won't be the first time....
OMR
1976 KZ900-A4
MTC 1075cc.
Camshafts: Kawi GPZ-1100 .375 lift
Head: P&P via Larry Cavanaugh
ZX636 suspension
MIKUNI, RS-34'S...
Kerker 4-1, 1.5" comp baffle.
Dyna-S E.I.
Earls 10 row Oil Cooler
Acewell 2802 Series Speedo/Tach
Innovate LC1 Wideband 02 AFR meter
Phoenix, Az
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- l0g1c
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I was running mismatched dunlops before (the rear actually said "Harley Davidson" on it and was hard as a rock and...square???) So I'm sure anything would've been an improvement.
We just got ~8 inches of snow dumped on us, so it will still be a while before I can really wear them in. I'll report back if you guys are interested.
I'm also upgrading my rear shocks soon, and will be fine-tuning my front suspension. Already got the progressive springs in, but I'll take my time this time and get the weight right.
Any tips on adjusting front & rear suspension to match?
'81 KZ750 LTD
'72 CB350K
Omaha, NE
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- RonKZ650
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321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.
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- PLUMMEN
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Still recovering,some days are better than others.
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- gane
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[img][/img] 1977 KZ1000A1
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- arai59
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- wiredgeorge
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To the fella who commented on the S&W shocks... I have a set of BRAND NEW S&W 12.5" I bought from the guy who runs the Barbar Motorcycle Museum a couple years ago. They came without springs and I bought a nice set of Progressive springs and installed them. I plan on using them on a shafty project bike I will work on in the future.
wiredgeorge Motorcycle Carburetors
Mico TX
www.wgcarbs.com
Too many bikes to list!
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- BSKZ650
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Yes there are a lot of things adapted to the bikes,some for cosmetic reasons, others for a racing application.
Dont get me wrong, making something better is not a bad thing, but I wonder how much more improvement could be made with some simple calculations, ie rake angles, suspension travel, and flex.
Got to admit some of these mods look neat as hell
77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
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