Kawasaki vs Suzuki frames.

Two that I restored. Kept the better one.

I like the rims.
Steve

Much as I would like to like those GS's they just don't do it for me, the GS1000s in blue and white might be hard to resist, but I've passed on some really nice examples of the other models, they just didn't get my juices flowing. Different strokes for different folks, horses for courses etc. but then I even find the Honda CB750's that really get some people lathered up unappealing to look at. The Z!'s and KZ's still have my vote after all these years, regardless of how they handle on the move, they still look the best when standing still .

I like them all. I had a Yamaha 1100 in my bay. Too bad the owner was hacking it up. I wouldn't put the money in them as I have in Bossie.
Steve

redhawk4 wrote: I don't know about the swing arms, I guess changing one for a stronger aftermarket one would answer that particular question.

a braced stock arm can make a huge difference when you are pushing one.
here are a few i've done.





when it was time to address my own 80 z1r's handling i went with a 17x6 inch wide rim with a 190mm wide tire :whistle: .
it's overkill.but rock solid in the corners with no added frame bracing.

i'm sure a good 160 series tire would hold one of these bikes juts fine.

what i'm saying is a good strong arm can go along ways to taming one of these old beasts :evil:

leon

p.s.
looks like some folks think the uki steel arm could use a lil help to.

only added a lil bracing to the frame tho.

I really like the look of those braced swing arms too, nice work.

I wonder if the rear suspension units have a problem with not being matched in terms of performance, it seems that, with a less than rigid swing arm, that would have the rear wheel moving round and steering the rear end every time you go over a bump.

I want one. :whistle:
Steve

redhawk4 wrote: I really like the look of those braced swing arms too, nice work.

I wonder if the rear suspension units have a problem with not being matched in terms of performance, it seems that, with a less than rigid swing arm, would have the rear wheel moving round and steering the rear end every time you go over a bump.

thanks for the kind words.
and,
yes the stock swingarms have the rigidity of a limp noodle.
there are pictures of eddie lawson on the "black beast"with a stock braced swingarm before they started making the underbraced s1 swingarm.


leon

What are your thoughts on the early Suzy swing arm mods?
Steve

steve,
are you talking about the early steel uki arms or the later aluminum ones???
they went from the steel tube to the extruded aluminum box section with re-enforcing ribs for a reason.... :whistle:

leon

Nessism wrote: Two that I restored. Kept the better one.

Awesome !!! ....... my late buddy bought one of these new and I love em. He ran around with a open air box and a V & H open header for years ...... he even put a good year slick on it (He's the one along with his bike shop that talked me into running a open air box but I always kept my header corked)..

He dropped the bike and dented the tank and bought a new one along with new handle bars even though they were not hurt..... I still have the bars on my 650 and love the feel and look of em.

Man after looking at these again that might be something I would consider picking up someday. :ohmy:

531blackbanshee wrote: steve,
are you talking about the early steel uki arms or the later aluminum ones???
they went from the steel tube to the extruded aluminum box section with re-enforcing ribs for a reason.... :whistle:

leon

I guess you answered my question. The steel ones are plentiful on eBay and I almost bought a aluminum one but it was pricey. I thought I'd better find a beefed up stock one or have one made.
Steve