posted October 23, 2009 02:09 AM
handling with extended swingarm I've got a zx12r a1 streetfighter.
I'm thinking of fitting a JMC top-braced swingarm with a 4-6 inch extension. It will look trick, but will it screw up the handling on the road? How will the handling be affected in reality?
posted October 23, 2009 04:11 AM
Edited By: Shane661 on 23 Oct 2009 14:51
It will handle more slowly than stock wheelbase, but feel very planted in long sweepers.
posted October 23, 2009 10:54 AM
a lot of it depends on the height of the rear as well. from my experience with a + 4arm, the longer wheelbase needs more lean angle to make the same turn (speed and radius), but the ride height is what changed the response the most. if the rear is still pretty tall, it will fall into the corners like before, but with it slammed, it takes a lot more input to get it to lean over. like shane says, once it is leaned over it does feel quite planted.
posted October 27, 2009 05:16 PM
i run in the middle hole at 4". read posts on slideing your forks up. do not go much past the flat machined area for the top clamp. i have mine up 3/4". anymore and i was worried about the front clamping well. the tube is smaller dia off the machined area and the clamps will touch before getting tight on the tube.
i also had to soften my spring up when i put the 4" extencions on. i had it down stock length and i then put the 4" on the back and the downward angle of the arm made the rear higher again. maybe 4" over extencions with the front stock hight with middle hole in the links will be close to stock hight from what i noticed.
posted October 28, 2009 12:11 PM
Edited By: almost_les on 28 Oct 2009 19:14
top hole: way tall
middle hole: good for the street. looks a little lower cuz im sitting on it
bottom hole: fun at the track. had to angle the license plate to stop it from hitting the tire, but it still rubs the indertail if you hit a big enough bump. as well as drag the plastics.
You are a star. Thanks for the info. The pics are really useful too. I'll prob go with middle hole as you suggest and see how it handles before playing with the fork heights.
posted November 03, 2009 07:09 PM
BigLT, check out my 1272cc Streetfighter 'DEATH' I have a 3-9 inch extension on it and love it. I have it out 8" and the middle setting on the muzzy's links is perfect height for me at 5' 10". These guys are right on! the bike feels very strong in the longer faster corners, acceleration through the corner and sliding the rear is fun! Only if you go to a wider tire than 200 is when all the cornering issues begin to really affect riding. if you drop the forks an inch and strap the front it will look & feel very good not to mention all the burnouts you can handle. I have had no problems riding on the street with the front strapped, just be sure to leave 2 inches of travel and stiffen the fork dampening / rebound and you shouldn't bottom out unless you hit a real hard one. Very important, if you are goin to race or stunt the 12, buy a billet clutch basket and check the wheel bearings and all bolts often. even the engine mounts, front especially. Top end runs seam to loosen everything eventually. This is a great place to get all the info and help you need. I am soakin it up.
how do you like the feel of your lighter & quicker ride?
posted November 07, 2009 10:29 AM
I chose streetfighter style as old injuries made sportsbikes too uncomfortable. I love riding it this way, but (and it might just be the renthals and different seating position) I found the front end a bit vague, so as the fork seals needed replacing I'm putting in a hyperpro spring set. While this was being done I bought the swing arm at a very good price. Its in, but the new chain hasn't arrived yet. I'll put pics up in a few days.
Now I'm after an undertray, and if I was richer I would change the wheels. Any ideas of somewhere in the US I should look, the options in UK are limited. I want something reasonable quality ... and cheap!!
I'm not a good enough rider to stunt this thing, but thanks for the advice re checking everything. I have little time so inevitably 'jump on it ride it and put it away'.
What have you done instead of the ram tubes by the way? I'm not sure if I like mine or not.
posted November 07, 2009 05:41 PM
This site is full of guys with parts or that can find them. that is the Bikeland classifieds or ebay, wildhairaccesories.com has fighter parts. I am one the few that does stunt the shit out of the bike, wheelies endo, 150+mph skitching & acrobatics por thing has frame issues and engine mount snapage and jail time. I know about bearings because mine are all blown. the rear right exploded after a long hellride about 5 miles wide open. just when i had slowed down a wobble pulled me over and i towed the bike. bought new rims with pollished lip and replacing stock brearings with All Balls bearings. My Y2K 12 is bored to 1272cc, wiseco pistons, carrilo a beam con rods, falicon internals, journals and bearings. ape studs, knife edged crank that has been drilled and fluted, spun and balanced. ported head, titanium valves, cams w/ape sprockets, timing chain, undercut trans, welded muzzy's billet clutch basket and drilled hub, muzzy clutch pack w/ 3 muzzy springs and 3 barnett, muzzy fuel pump w/fuel pressure gauge mounted to the return line. faze air/fuel gauge, pc3 usb w/ screen, multi hub. ufo headlight kit and relocated ignition to left side so that i could mount the gauges between the bars. 17,18,19 front & 37,41,45,46,50 rear gears. 50hp-100hp n2o. K&N, strapped the front and lowered the forks 1 inch. stock clip ons for cafe' ride and top end aerodynamics. and much more just lok at the video. hope you get more time to ride the beast!
posted November 11, 2009 05:23 PM
Picked the bike up today. After looking at it I decided to go for the highest setting on the 'bones in the end. The idea being that I'm fairly heavy and I'd squash the rear end down... and it looks better (I know that's a personal thing so won't argue if you disagree)
Rode it back, steering is razor sharp (very quick, light and responsive), riding position is spot on (might get some rear sets to be absolutely perfect) and it feels better in corners. All in all a huge improvement. Not ideal for a drag track, but then I don't do that.
I exect the springs help, but the geometry certainly helps. I even thinks it looks better. Only problem was the headlights were looking at the road about 5 ft in front of the front wheel , even on high beam, which was a little scary when it got dark!
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posted October 23, 2009 02:09 AM
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