zx14c5
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted September 12, 2008 01:03 PM
Swingarm Extension?
I am thinking about stretching my '08 ZX14. It has a stock motor but all of the standard mods (i.e. Brocks SMEG, PCIIIUSB w/Brocks Street MAP, BMC Street, 16/43, SpeedoHealer v4, No Flies, etc.) Ohh, and I'm a big boy at 275lbs.
In researching the topic briefly it looks as though I could replace the entire swingarm or bolt on an extension with may give me 2-6" of extension. If money were no object, replacement of the entire swingarm is probably the way to go, however this is not the case. Also, if I bolt on an extension, I could easily remove it if I were so inclined.
So my main question about the bolt-on extension is if it is safe? I know several people use it, and I see it advertised everywhere but there is something in the back of my mind screaming DANGER DANGER as I watch to whole rear part of by bike and wheel fall apart under high-speed acceleration. Can anyone help alleviate my fear of using these swingarm extensions? Is this a legitimate concern, or is it unfounded. Which extension brand would you recommend? The bike is used mainly used on the street with the occasional track day. Primary motivation is obviously to help make it a bit less wheelie prone while maintaining the nice acceleration that the 16/43 gearing gives me. Are there any other modifications which I could do to accomplish the same goal on the street without killing the ride? How much will extending the wheelbase affect my turning ability? I have never rode a stretched bike, so I have no point of reference.
Thanks in advance.
  
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MasterBlaster
Expert Class
Posts: 297
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posted September 12, 2008 01:14 PM
Been running a Myrtle West set since my 06 was new with no problems.
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted September 12, 2008 01:17 PM
 Edited By: shane661 on 12 Sep 2008 14:31
If you get good ones, they are safe. I installed the Spencer Cycle ones. The bike will be very stable, but slow to turn. Still smooth through the turns, but you need to start turning it in a little sooner.
Check out my build thread for more details:
http://www.bikeland.org/board/viewthread.php?FID=27&TID=40269&set_time=
Shane
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zx14c5
Parking Attendant
Posts: 8
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posted September 12, 2008 02:47 PM
Thanks MasterBlaster and Shane661 for the quick response. This forum is awesome. From the various replies it sounds like I can't go wrong with Spencer Cycle or Mertyle West and I should not be paranoid. Are there any other high quality brands out there?
Shane how much extension were you running with respect to your turning early comment?
Thanks again guys.
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nczx14
Expert Class
Posts: 108
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posted September 12, 2008 02:59 PM
Roaring Toyz
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2K7 everything possible without going in the engine.
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shane661
Needs a life
Posts: 11494
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posted September 12, 2008 03:04 PM
Edited By: shane661 on 12 Sep 2008 16:05
I am running around 6-7" over stock. You could try about 4" over for the street. 6-7" and you might have traction problems.
Here is about 6.5" over:
Shane
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street racer
Expert Class
Posts: 141
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posted September 12, 2008 03:13 PM
My ZX14 is still stock but this is my "other" bike. It has Spencer 7" extensions, lowered, geared and piped. I put adjustable dogbones on the rear and I am really glad I did. My first ride after installing the extensions was terrible. The bike was very slow to turn and I was fighting it all the way through any kind of corner. I raised the rear progressively from my original setting (a guess) and put and put more weight on the front wheel. It made a huge difference in the cornering and I am very happy with the result. The Spencer extensions are very well made, fit perfectly and are mounted in such a way that you will have great confidence in them. Not much can go wrong with them. The Spencers arent metric so I had to go buy a standard allen wrench to fit them as all my cycle tools are metric. Anyway, installing them is a breeze. The only hard part is fooling with the longer chain and that isnt hard if you have a chain tool. Good luck !!
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted September 12, 2008 06:20 PM
I have the spencer's...great TIGHT fit into the swingarm openings...be careful of which way you mount the brake slide, have to put in on in one direction to go long, and the other to slide the tire up closer. You will have to be aware of the mount for the chain guard possibly getting in the way depending on your tire location when you select the length to extend it.
I am 370 lbs and drive my bike hard. I have dragged it at the strip and dragged the pegs in the corners....it drives the exact same, with one exception.. the turning. When going slow...like parking lot slow, you have a much larger turning radius...I can still turn completely around at slow speed within a lane and a half. At high speed, I have noticed it corners just as well, but I have to lean the bike over a degree or so more to maintain the same speed as before through a corner. I love the extensions. The only reason to get ride of them would be to do massive wheelies in 1st-4th gear. As it is now, with 16/43 gearing, I can lift it anytime I want in 1st as long as the pavement ain't slick. At the track, it will lift a foot or so in 2nd and it wants to float in 3rd.
Just fyi, you can re-use the rear brake line as long as you don't run the extensions out all the way. If I had to do it over again, I would have ordered a longer line and an extended chain guard before I added the extensions.
I too was worried about extensions and researched it extensively, pun intended....I came to the conclusion of roaring toyz or spencers....and chose spencers because they were smooth and did not any writing/engaving on them........
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pazx14rider
Zone Head
Posts: 953
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posted September 13, 2008 05:24 PM
good topic...i was looking at the schnitz package for the 14 but was wondering about the quality of the extensions(roaring toyz) and is the chain a descent chain or junk? dont care about the links im getting the brocks links but 500 bucks for links, chain, brake line, strap, and brackets dont seem like to bad of a deal but is it quality...im not one to put junk on my ride!
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nczx14
Expert Class
Posts: 108
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posted September 13, 2008 06:51 PM
Everyone I know with an extended 14 either has Roaring Toyz extensions or aftermarket swingarms.
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2K7 everything possible without going in the engine.
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fifth
Expert Class
The Magnificent Bastard
Posts: 303
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posted September 14, 2008 05:39 AM
as far as the chain, I went with the EK ZZZ 150 link. It had a pretty high tensile strength and I haven't had any problems with it, but then again, I do drag every weekend. I DO ride the crap out of my bike. The chain I go was also chromed and it looks pretty nice and cleans up really easy.
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CajunBoyz
Zone Head
Posts: 702
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posted November 17, 2011 10:43 AM
Are the extensions that has ZX engraved pretty good??? They look stout, but has anyone had any troubles
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"Cajun Boyz with Bad Ass Toys"
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dakota9498
Pro
Posts: 1181
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posted November 17, 2011 11:44 AM
Edited By: dakota9498 on 17 Nov 2011 19:48
If you are talking about the All Things Chrome ones, they are good. I have been running them for about two years and they have held up very well. I have them set all the way back (almost 9" over). I got mine with no logos engraved.
*Edit: Bike is a little further back since this picture was taken.
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2008 ZX14
Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference. ~Mark Twain
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Bently
Needs a life
2012 14r In Blue and no Mods!
Posts: 5428
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posted November 17, 2011 12:06 PM
My vote goes for spencer cycle ones as well, that's what I used before going with my evil arm.
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dakota9498
Pro
Posts: 1181
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posted November 17, 2011 12:08 PM
I just like the All Things Chrome ones because you can get back farther than any of the others.
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2008 ZX14
Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference. ~Mark Twain
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eklipse636
Needs a life
ZX-14
Posts: 6046
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posted November 19, 2011 05:36 AM
quote:
I just like the All Things Chrome ones because you can get back farther than any of the others.
+1
I have mine back as far as they will go. I'm around 66" if I remember correctly. I'm around 210-215 suited on a average day, and I launch as hard as I can with no problems. I've had them since 2008.
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Best: 60ft 1.351 1/8 5.68 mph 123.98 1/4
8.89 mph 151.32
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Big_T112
Pro
Posts: 1061
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posted November 20, 2011 08:10 AM
Edited By: Big_T112 on 20 Nov 2011 16:13
Ebay speacial, 4" to 9" $165.00. Stage 1 Turbo Busa. 263 Rear Wheel H.P. on Av gas. Ran it with ext. for 3 years on a GSXR 600 swingarm. (600 arms dont have the box and bracing so you can lower it more)
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