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Oh sorry bout that, the name is, tetsu_gpz1100 on instagram.

Larriken something you may want to bear in mind when setting your chain tension - a friend had a GSXR /Bandit motor in a Harris Magnum that was made for a KZ motor, because of the increased distance from the gearbox sprocket to the swinging arm pivot he had to run the chain a little looser than normal to avoid breaking it !

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Oh sorry bout that, the name is, tetsu_gpz1100 on instagram.

I hear you on that one. His bike is seriously cool bit of kit. I have been following him as well. Japanese GPZ11's are a massive favourite of mine.

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Larriken something you may want to bear in mind when setting your chain tension - a friend had a GSXR /Bandit motor in a Harris Magnum that was made for a KZ motor, because of the increased distance from the gearbox sprocket to the swinging arm pivot he had to run the chain a little looser than normal to avoid breaking it !

Good call. I had been pondering that. The distance from the front to rear sprocket is the same as my 98 Bandit 1200 but the GPZ has an extra 30mm from swingarm pivot to front sprocket. I guess if you hit a massive bump and compress the suspension you would tighten the chain. There is a lot of clearance under the swingarm but I would hate to find out the hard way! Will back it off once I get the beastie going and see how it all goes.

I like the way he has dropped the front fairing by about 50mm it breaks the flow of the lines but adds an aggressive stance to the bike and the colour is Mazda "soul red crystal metallic" just love that red.

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Larriken something you may want to bear in mind when setting your chain tension - a friend had a GSXR /Bandit motor in a Harris Magnum that was made for a KZ motor, because of the increased distance from the gearbox sprocket to the swinging arm pivot he had to run the chain a little looser than normal to avoid breaking it !

Good call. I had been pondering that. The distance from the front to rear sprocket is the same as my 98 Bandit 1200 but the GPZ has an extra 30mm from swingarm pivot to front sprocket. I guess if you hit a massive bump and compress the suspension you would tighten the chain. There is a lot of clearance under the swingarm but I would hate to find out the hard way! Will back it off once I get the beastie going and see how it all goes.

I would suggest taking the spring off and check the tension through the entire travel of the swingarm (I believe the longest point is when the swingarm is level)

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I would suggest taking the spring off and check the tension through the entire travel of the swingarm (I believe the longest point is when the swingarm is level)

Definitely. The greatest length between sprockets occurs when the output shaft, swingarm pivot and rear axle are perfectly in line. As the end of the swingarm moves a way from this alignment (in either direction) the distance between the sprockets decreases. Something else to watch for is the chain hitting something else, especially the swingarm pivot tube. When checking for clearance, be sure to check the chain loos and tight on both the upper and lower run. Check at both extremes of travel as well as with the three points lined up. Also check with the chain guard in place.

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Larriken something you may want to bear in mind when setting your chain tension - a friend had a GSXR /Bandit motor in a Harris Magnum that was made for a KZ motor, because of the increased distance from the gearbox sprocket to the swinging arm pivot he had to run the chain a little looser than normal to avoid breaking it !

Fellas, there is more than 1 way to skin a cat! One of my mentors designed and built stationary chain tensioners.... when needed the tensioner would take up the slack. When not needed the chain came up off the tensioner. See below pic right behind countershaft sprocket.

 

That is a cool tracker!  I happen to be building a tracker out of a Suzuki LS650 Savage at the moment.  I am going with a similar blue, but the frame and components will be metallic silver.

There be many ways to skin that cat. Type chain tensioner roller on swingarm into your favorite search engine.

 

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There be many ways to skin that cat. Type chain tensioner roller on swingarm into your favorite search engine.


 

Not sure I follow your meaning TKZ? Sure... anybody can buy a spring loaded chain tensioner from china or amazon. My point was you have options for keeping slack out of your chain. It doesn't have to be loose and or floppy.

I do appreciate the creativity and skill it took to create the device pictured above. I was just pointing out that there are options for folks who cannot or would rather not go that way.