Swingarm Conversion Q's - Function or Looks

Although the original test reports complained about the swing arm being too weak, I'm with 650ed on this one; I think the culprit is the shock absorbers as well as possible worn races and not the swingarm itself. At least not with standard street tyres ridden on public roads. I do like the look of a braced standard swingarm, though, and would consider it from a design perspective. However, I wouldn't expect a revelation when it comes to handling unless you regularly throw sparks around 100 mph bumpy bends. The fork stanchions are probably more likely to flex than the stock swingarm.

If you want to turn heads on a budget, KraZy, do the paint scheme you mentioned and reinforce your swingarm and paint it silver to highlight it. Fit some adjustable shock absorbers like these www.hagon-shocks.co.uk/catalog/partdetail.aspx?PartNo=33040TTSA that won't cost you a leg and an arm and either fit slightly wider cast period wheels or lace on some wider rims on the stock hubs so that you can run a bit wider tyres. They won't make the bike handle better, but will make it look more like a classic superbike racer. A Corbin, or replica, seat will give that finishing touch.

Just my humble opinion - but since it's your bike, you get to make the calls :lol:

As far as building the bike on a budget.I put my whole bike together from parts I scounged off craigslist.at worst your suspension upgrades will also allow you to much improve the brakes as mdern brakes are pretty sweet.Try to get parts as an assembly. that way you arent scrounging the small parts.spacers and such

+1 on buying the assembly. I bought what my budget would allow buying a piece at a time and would be alot closer if i hadnt been looking for the small stuff like axle adluster 26.00 bucks at kawasaki. complete axle with both adjusters 13.00 on ebay. (first axle i bought had wheel bushings and only 1 adjuster)

not having a machine shop or advanced fabing tools at my house the more complete the parts the less running around and favors you have to ask

above is my 1980 z1r in it's current configuration.

it is built to suit me and how i use it.

i live 30 minutes from anywhere you want to be,2 1/2 miles off the side of a highway with a 70mph speed limit.most folks run 75-80.

i have no need for a stoplight to stoplight brawler.

i need a bike that can set at 100 mph for an hour with no problems.

18/38 gear ratio 520 chain.

stock frontend.

custom built my own swingarm to house a 6 1/2 inch wide rear 17" wheel from a 2000 r1 with (currently) a 190 mm wide tire.

it handles like a dream.

we have crap roads and with my stock swingarm and 120 wide rear tire i could be cranked over in a 70mph corner and hit some bumps and it would skip into the next lane.

my wife loves to ride behind me and she also loves for me to stuff it through corners as fast as we can safely make it.

so i modified my bike the way i thought it should be and am very satisfied with the results.

i have a late model gsxr front end and mono block brakes with a matching r1 front wheel to install, and just hope when i convert it that i don't spoil the current handling.

stock swingarms flex,skinny tires lose grip.

come ride with me and i can show you how to check for yourself. :evil: :whistle: :lol:

here is a kz650 swingarm that i under braced for t-dub.

[/img] lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gkkh81NGT_E/T...0%2525282%252529.JPG [img]

in my opinion if you are going to push it in corners you need to at least brace the swingarm and run a softer tire.

thats my .02,ymmv.

leon

531blackbanshee wrote:

stock swingarms flex,skinny tires lose grip.



here is a kz650 swingarm that i under braced for t-dub.

[/img] lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Gkkh81NGT_E/T...0%2525282%252529.JPG [img]

Nice job on both Leon!


Thanks for the props on the KZ guys! It has been a labour of love for me fo sho!


The bike stops, goes and hooks up just fine! The motor is basically stock with a few minor mods. That's the next thing to get some "lovin" as soon as I can squeeze some funds! :lol:


As far as cost of the swinger and shocks... honestly... I forget!! They were embarrassingly expensive though, I can say that much! It came down to "want" for me! I HAD to have 'em!


Good luck with your choices! You have a lot to digest! Sounds like you're well on your way to making an informed decision though!

thanks drooz.



leon

personaly, i think 1 of leons additions to your stock arm is the best way to go. specialy if u want a period look. i just dont see how an aluminum square box are looks as good as a round tube arm on a kz.
a brased stock arm gives u both, forrm , and function.
Leon , please dont take this as a put down, because i think u do awesome work.
i think if u made the top main arm on your z1r arm, out of bigger tubing(stock diameter) it would look even more killer than it does now.

Someone mentioned earlier that an early Gsxr swingarm would work. Just curious as to what year period I should look into, and what all I need to do this. all I want to do is put a set of Gsxr wheels on it and take the rear wheel out 2-4"

How well did the linkage line up and what mods were needed?

This post has instructions on how I did it:
forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=582.0

On the front end I also have an ATK fork brace.

Be glad there are guys like Leon around that'll do this, I just priced a new Myrtle West swingarm for a zx10 braced in this fashion; only $1,406.99

faffi:

I don't disagree with a thing you say. There's no doubt that the stock dampers have got to go and I'll definitely look into your shock recommendation. I'm very open to recommendations, since I've been away from go fast windy-twisty bikes for decades now. I truly am getting an education here. What a great bunch! But, I can guarantee one thing, it won't take long to reacquaint myself to it.

As you say, I think the gusseted swingarm looks bad ass! But, since ramtough_63 has offered to sell me a ZX6 swingarm, I'm going to take a crack at using it. Now my quandary is, do I polish the crap out of the aluminum swingarm, or do I powdercoat it like I'm going to do to the rest of the frame? Hahahaha! Such problems.

I thought of wheel change, but I decided to stick to the stock mags and just put some really good skins on them. Back in the 70's we didn't have a choice of installing fat tires. The super bikes of my time, the Mach III's and the Honda 750-4's, didn't come with fat tires. They didn't even make fat tires back then! Like I said before, I'm not looking for the perfect, or even imperfect 100 MPH sweeper at 58, so I think I'll be fine with putting good rubber on the stock rims.

Thanks for your tips and for your humble opinion.

camaroguy:

That's a great tip, thanks!