Swingarm Conversion Q's - Function or Looks

DaddyJama wrote: Issue I have is looks and maybe a tech question
Lookswise I don't like the swing arm because they are so much longer than the stock swing arms.. I've never been a fan of stretched looking bikes..

As far as tech.. I think modern sport bikes have longer swing arms, but not necessarily longer wheel bases on purpose..
But the bikes are built to take advantage of it and the pivot points are adjusted accordingly
So tf doesn't seem that you would get much benefit with a newer swing arm because of the geometry on an older bike unless you could move the pivot closer to the engine?

DJ,
Leon is not stretching my swingarm, he's gusseting it for strength. Less wiggle and tank slap in those precarious high speed turns. Hopefully, none at all! Plus, it just looks freakin' awesome!

ramtough_63 wrote: i cant even spell physics but as for as longer my zx swinger is only slightly longer and as far as changing geometry...

I have a question who says the engineers had it right to begin with?

we all act like these guys are neuroscientist who put all the demensions in a super computer that would have been as big as a house in 1978 to come up with the optimum frame design for every rider

When in reality some guy took an early rigid cut it off and it evolved from there. I think more by trial and error long before math was introduced into the design. I bet if you were to see the optimum frame geometrically no one would ride it because it looks stupid

i have only changed my swingarm but I will say the function has increased 20 fold and the looks well.. In my eyes it looks far superior.

I love the 70's styling with the modern fusiuon its amazing how different it feels with just the rear done

just my .02

...and a fine .02 it was, RT63! Couldn't agree with you more.

KraZyRIDER wrote:

531blackbanshee wrote: aw comon guys !

i am a kzrider just like everyone else,i do what i can to help keep these old bikes in the wind.

i am very fortunate to get to help a bunch of good folks realize the dreams they have for their old kawi's.

thanks for the kind words and lettin me helpout guys.

leon

...talk about humble! The guy does me, a total stranger, except for a few words and he's thanking ME! You are certainly a very special individual, Leon. Anything I can ever do for you, it's done!

...thanks, a 1000 times, thanks!

Now u r duin some serious ASS KISSIN. :laugh:

DaddyJama wrote: Issue
As far as tech.. I think modern sport bikes have longer swing arms, but not necessarily longer wheel bases on purpose..
But the bikes are built to take advantage of it and the pivot points are adjusted accordingly
So tf doesn't seem that you would get much benefit with a newer swing arm because of the geometry on an older bike unless you could move the pivot closer to the engine?

pros and cons. a longer arm on a kz will make it a little lazier to turn in. but a longer arm will make the bike carry a little more weight over the front end. This makes it turn in easier.
The longer arm helps to keep the front end down too. Great if u go to the drags.
These bikes are an evolution. Every race season, they would learn something, and continue to develop then into what we have today. U can see simple frame changes in the way of gusseting, to improve handling. just look at a 76 and an 80 frame. The 650’s got the gussets before the 1000cc’s did.

Now u r duin some serious ASS KISSIN. :laugh:

...Mark, when someone goes out of their way to do something as cool as this, I believe a little ass kissin' is deserved. Especially, when it's something I cannot do myself. The guy deserves credit and his communication has been awesome. Some people would sound very bothered when updating you, if they even did. I've dealt with people before that you had to call, call and call and finally stop over and check on progress, when the done date was weeks past. Leon emails me just about every night to give a progress report. That's awesome! Yeh, he deserves the praise he's gettin'.

u r so right. i hope u realize that i am just funnin with ya.
Leon is a cool dude. he has done favours for me too.

Luv ya Leon. :kiss:

mark1122 wrote: u r so right. i hope u realize that i am just funnin with ya.
Leon is a cool dude. he has done favours for me too.

Luv ya Leon. :kiss:

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...boo-yah, down and dirty! :laugh:

...musta et somthin' good! :sick:

...musta et somthin' good! :sick:[/quote]

mark1122 wrote: ...musta et somthin' good! :sick:

[/quote]

...nothin' like a good salad tossin' to bring on the laughter, eh?

...more, from Brother Leon! Some shots of the newly gusseted KZ650 swingarm he modified. Looking quite cool if I must say so, myself. Can't wait to get this baby on the bike. Course, none of the rest of anything else is done yet, but this is a start. I need to get it into a roller and mock up the bodywork, which should be here next week. Once that's done, I can ship the frame out for powder coating. Man, I can't remember when the last time was that I was this excited about something! Creating something from nothing is a very gratifying experience. Sure to put a smile on one's face.










...Woo-Hoo!

Sweeeet!!!

ramtough_63 wrote: i cant even spell physics but as for as longer my zx swinger is only slightly longer and as far as changing geometry...

I have a question who says the engineers had it right to begin with?

we all act like these guys are neuroscientist who put all the demensions in a super computer that would have been as big as a house in 1978 to come up with the optimum frame design for every rider

When in reality some guy took an early rigid cut it off and it evolved from there. I think more by trial and error long before math was introduced into the design. I bet if you were to see the optimum frame geometrically no one would ride it because it looks stupid

i have only changed my swingarm but I will say the function has increased 20 fold and the looks well.. In my eyes it looks far superior.

I love the 70's styling with the modern fusiuon its amazing how different it feels with just the rear done

just my .02

Sometimes... Seeing as I am a mechanical engineer.. Also a track day junkie where millimeters and geometry changes matter a bunch fir corners I'm kinda biased..

I'll save my extended swing arm for my zx14:)