Swingarms...

This might be a good one to keep in the archives if there is enough response but what I would like to know is how long different swingarms being used are and how wide that swingarms front pivot tube is. Been looking at Busa and GSXR-1000 arms...stock and extended that will work on our KZ frames and it makes it difficult not knowing how long different arms are in stock form. I know a stock KZ arm is 19 1/2" long from center of front pivot bolt to center of axle slot. How long and how wide is the front pivot tube on a hayabusa? GSXR-1000? GSXR-600/750? ZX12R? or any other bike. If anyone who has replaced their swingarm with one off another bike would list these specs for the front pivot tube and stock length, maybe we can get some kind of file going so anyone can just look and see which one will fit their build ideas. I know I'm looking for a l-o-n-g version. I've tried asking sellers and most times just get...3" longer then stock! Don't really help. Most aftermarket builders who still build for our KZ's won't build a street arm longer then 6". They tell you to buy a clubfoot which won't work with shocks unless you heavily modify them which defeats the purpose. Anyone have these measurements they can post?

Racer,

I'm going to throw a '99 Ninja 900 swingarm on my 650. It's 10" wide at the pivot tube (I know I have to machine it down to fit), and if I remember right, 24 inches long from centre of pivot to rear axle bracket.

Good...that's one. No doubt every swingarm used will need to be modified in some area to fit...whether its to trim it down or to use a spacer to take up excess play at some point. Point is that with these measurements, it can help us decide what arms to look for for our particular puepose. Thanks for the reply...

2008 Triumph Speed Triple single sided swingarm is 285mm wide at the pivot, and 19 5/8" from centerline of pivot to centerline of hub.

2008 Triumph Speed Triple single sided swingarm is 285mm wide at the pivot, and 19 5/8" from centerline of pivot to centerline of hub.

Wow, I know a shop in Indiana that just done a 14" over for a kz using a busa wheel, no club on it. If memory serves me right I think it was around $450? Makes ya kinda wander why the others wont.

Les

90s gsxr 650-1000 are same width at pivot as the 81-82 gs1100e,needs roughly 1/8" of shims on each side of pivot tube.

The length you make it depends on how big of a turbo youre running and just how bad you want to hold it down! :woohoo:
Mental note to self 3" over just aint enough when the 1327 spools up the ol T3/4 garret! :sick: :woohoo:

"Makes ya kinda wander why the others wont."

I asked the same thing and answer I recieved was the arm would flex too much and insurance reasons.

"Mental note to self 3" over just aint enough when the 1327 spools up the ol T3/4 garret!"

That's why a l-o-n-g arm comes in handy...68"-70" wheelbase works good in those situations. Doesn't go around corners very well but main corner needed to navigate is off the track...

So...what's the name of this shop in Indiana? How do you get ahold of this shop?

Pm me and I'll send you a number.

Les

For you guys who are running longer swingarms...how did you determine where to have the shock mounts located? Want the bike as low as possible with enough clearance to let chassis squat but not enough to rub under fender. Does moving lower shock mount back 1" lower the rear an equal inch or does it actually lower it more? And when the shock angle gets steeper, does the shock in effect get softer or stiffer?

I have a 1979 KZ750B-4 Twin that I am currently working on. I had a custom swing arm made using the stock swingarm pivot. The major issue I ran into with my bike was the offset of some of the sport bike swing arms. I'm using a 2001 R6 front forks, tire, brakes and triple, along with the rear tire and brakes. When
I originally attempted to just use the R6 swingarm I noticed that A) The pivot was about 4" to long end cap to end cap and B)That the swingarm had a major offset to the left side of the bike. It was about 3" to the left of center if used. As far as shock mounts I made an adjustable perch that gave me 3 slightly different height settings. I also opted out of shocks to run solid struts. The reason behind it was this, I was informed by the guy who built his swingarm for his KZ1000 had issues whith the shocks compressing to much in the corners. Potentially crushing his exhaust every time he took a turn. He said that with the struts there is no compression so the exhaust running under the bike would be safe.I added some pictures and hopefully this helps a little.

SuperMoto wrote: I have a 1979 KZ750B-4 Twin that I am currently working on. I had a custom swing arm made using the stock swingarm pivot. The major issue I ran into with my bike was the offset of some of the sport bike swing arms. I'm using a 2001 R6 front forks, tire, brakes and triple, along with the rear tire and brakes. When
I originally attempted to just use the R6 swingarm I noticed that A) The pivot was about 4" to long end cap to end cap and B)That the swingarm had a major offset to the left side of the bike. It was about 3" to the left of center if used. As far as shock mounts I made an adjustable perch that gave me 3 slightly different height settings. I also opted out of shocks to run solid struts. The reason behind it was this, I was informed by the guy who built his swingarm for his KZ1000 had issues whith the shocks compressing to much in the corners. Potentially crushing his exhaust every time he took a turn. He said that with the struts there is no compression so the exhaust running under the bike would be safe.I added some pictures and hopefully this helps a little.

That came out pretty nice looking,Though it probably would of been easier to build a new pivot tube and line bore/hone it to fit stock bearings and sleeve.