Project: Suspension Upgrade

59290 Views 199 Replies 28 Participants Last post by Pyke13, 10 d ago

ZX7RJoe

Discussion Starter · Aug 4, 2013 (Edited)

11

ZX10R suspension upgrade, to be precise.

So I’ve been considering a suspension upgrade for some time. The 7r suspension seems to pale in comparison to the performance of the newer bikes, if not in performance, then at least in adjustability.

Two winters ago I completely rebuilt both of my front forks only to find that one now has a slow leak (probably due to me attempt to install the seal without the proper tools. Lesson learned.) I also need new tires.
Rather than purchase the parts to replace that same seal again, and spoon new Q2s onto my 7r wheels, I’ve decided that if an upgrade is to take place, it may as well happen now.

I’ve decided to go with a full gen 3 (2008 – 2010) zx10r suspension front and rear. This will include forks, wheels, swing arm, shock, brakes and rotors (along with the peripherals). My bike will essentially be a 7r from the frame in, and a 10r from the front triple forward, and the swing arm pivot bolt back.

I’ve been collecting the components necessary for the swap (minus any custom spacers/ fab stuff) since early May and have tried to be patient. I got really lucky on a couple finds, and not so lucky on others (had to pay $$$). It all came down to availability and time frame.
Let the fun begin:

The real kicker: Gen 3 forks with Race Tech G2r cartridge kits already installed. Fresh from Race Tech with zero miles on them. I am unworthy.

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LeeCig

· #2 · Aug 4, 2013 (Edited)

This is for the 02?(Just kidding, I see the sold part in the "I ride:") I'm like you where I've been interested in doing this, and I'll be at that point some day. So... I might as well learn about it now. I know the zx7's and zx9's are enough alike that I could probably follow your lead.

No zx10 tail? :angry :lol just kidding

ZX7RJoe

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 4, 2013

12

Had my gf shoot some “pre” pics the other day so I’ll have some basis for comparison. She’s got the camera for it.

I’m going to try to be as thorough as possible while documenting this whole thing. Hopefully it will make it easier for someone else if/when they decide to take the plunge. If nothing else they’ll know what they’re getting into.

I’ve already weighed all of the 10r parts and will be weighing all of the 7r parts as they’re removed. I’ll be getting overall before/after weight measurements as well. I’m not too concerned but some people really get into the whole weight reduction thing.

I’ll post as many measurements as I can as well as record specs/measurements of any parts that need machined or fabbed up.

If you have any questions or need any measurements, now’s the time to ask since everything will be apart.

Figured I’d squeeze a few “for fun” shots in there as well. :smile

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SpeakerBox

· #4 · Aug 4, 2013

In for specs on the small stuff! Ood luck with this build bro, gonna be extra sexy when youre finished!

ZX7RJoe

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 4, 2013

SpeakerBox said:
In for specs on the small stuff! Ood luck with this build bro, gonna be extra sexy when youre finished!

Thanks, I'm hoping so.

I'll post as much info as possible. Like I said, if you need any particular details (sizes, specs, dimensions) now is the time to hit me up. I should be getting started this afternoon.

ccmhunt

· #6 · Aug 4, 2013

Did I miss something....are you just putting a stock gen3 10r shock on?

ZX7RJoe

Discussion Starter · #7 · Aug 4, 2013

ccmhunt said:
Did I miss something....are you just putting a stock gen3 10r shock on?

No, everything will be swapped over to Gen 3 zx10r parts: forks, wheels, swing arm, shock, brakes, etc.

The pics I posted are my "before" pics. Nothing has been done yet (other than buying the parts). Sorry for any confusion.

ZX7RJoe

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 4, 2013

I was hoping to get a start on it today but that may not happen now. Had a bunch of yard work to do.

I don't like the idea of taking a bike down mid-season but if I do it now it would give me some time to fine tune any suspension issues toward the end of the summer and fall.

It should come together pretty quickly but I've worked through too many projects to realistically expect that.

ccmhunt

· #9 · Aug 4, 2013

ZX7RJoe said:
No, everything will be swapped over to Gen 3 zx10r parts: forks, wheels, swing arm, shock, brakes, etc.

The pics I posted are my "before" pics. Nothing has been done yet (other than buying the parts). Sorry for any confusion.

correct, you are installing a stock gen 3 shock as part of your swap though....I didn't mean to infer that it was the only thing you were doing, only that it was a stocker.

Avi

· #10 · Aug 4, 2013

ccmhunt said:
Did I miss something....are you just putting a stock gen3 10r shock on?

sorry for slightly thread jacking so soon, but is there something wrong with that?

in about a week I will finally be doing just that...

ccmhunt

· #11 · Aug 4, 2013

Well, He has RaceTech Mod Gen 3 forks.....just they are nice and an upgrade from not only ZX7, but from stock 10r, plus allow radial brakes.
But a stock gen 3 may or may not be an upgrade, depending on what you have, and it only affects suspension, not braking too (not that rear matters).
plus you throw in the variables that the swingarm affects: suspension geometries, linkage ratios (on this bike alone there were several that were considered the best, and the teams were secretive about the ratios that worked best and photos were prohibited), chainline, etc. Not to mention weight.
I don't know, I guess it depends on usage, etc and what you are trying to achieve. For a visual and street perspective this may be a move upward. I assume that even for that directive, a modified Gen 3 shock would fit the objective well......

Avi

· #12 · Aug 4, 2013

ccmhunt said:
Well, He has RaceTech Mod Gen 3 forks.....just they are nice and an upgrade from not only ZX7, but from stock 10r, plus allow radial brakes.
But a stock gen 3 may or may not be an upgrade, depending on what you have, and it only affects suspension, not braking too (not that rear matters).
plus you throw in the variables that the swingarm affects: suspension geometries, linkage ratios (on this bike alone there were several that were considered the best, and the teams were secretive about the ratios that worked best and photos were prohibited), chainline, etc. Not to mention weight.
I don't know, I guess it depends on usage, etc and what you are trying to achieve. For a visual and street perspective this may be a move upward. I assume that even for that directive, a modified Gen 3 shock would fit the objective well......

well, mine is for a street/track bike, and considering my original is a 15 year old, 60K miles shock with an absolutely positively completely stuck preload adjuster, I guess it's a step up

for a moment I was worried I missed something..

Joe, now I am back to reading your stuff

:thumbup

ZX7RJoe

Discussion Starter · #13 · Aug 4, 2013

ccmhunt said:
Well, He has RaceTech Mod Gen 3 forks.....just they are nice and an upgrade from not only ZX7, but from stock 10r, plus allow radial brakes.
But a stock gen 3 may or may not be an upgrade, depending on what you have, and it only affects suspension, not braking too (not that rear matters).
plus you throw in the variables that the swingarm affects: suspension geometries, linkage ratios (on this bike alone there were several that were considered the best, and the teams were secretive about the ratios that worked best and photos were prohibited), chainline, etc. Not to mention weight.
I don't know, I guess it depends on usage, etc and what you are trying to achieve. For a visual and street perspective this may be a move upward. I assume that even for that directive, a modified Gen 3 shock would fit the objective well......

I wondered if that's what you were getting at. I would hope that a shock from an '09 zx10r would be an upgrade over '02 7r technology, but I haven't disassembled either to evaluate that. My main concern was the front forks (scored pretty well there).

Any advice or recommendations?

From my current standpoint this bike will be primarily a street bike (it may see the occasional track day in the future). I'm looking for the more modernized suspension of the 10r to smooth out the harsh ride that I typically get from my 7, or at least provide the adjustability to fine tune the ride a little better.

gsxrche

· #14 · Aug 4, 2013

A few dimensions of the zx10 swingarm would be interesting.

1. Width of the arm at the pivot.
2. Inner width of the arm at the wheel
3. length of the arm from front pivot (on center) to the edge of the opening at the rear where the bolt goes through the wheel, sprocket and arm. Or in other words, difference in length compared to the zx7r arm.
4. Weight of the arm.

ZX7RJoe

Discussion Starter · #15 · Aug 4, 2013

gsxrche said:
A few dimensions of the zx10 swingarm would be interesting.

1. Width of the arm at the pivot.
2. Inner width of the arm at the wheel
3. length of the arm from front pivot (on center) to the edge of the opening at the rear where the bolt goes through the wheel, sprocket and arm. Or in other words, difference in length compared to the zx7r arm.
4. Weight of the arm.

I have 3 and 4 already:

3. The 10r swing arm is almost exactly 1" longer that the 7r swing arm. I can probably get a more exact/confirmation measurement for you next time I'm at the garage.

4. The zx10r swing arm (with pivot axle) weighs 12.5 lbs. according to my scale.

I'll get 1 and 2 for you next time I get to log some garage time.

Lenny H

· #16 · Aug 5, 2013

Looks like you and I may have been doing some bidding against each other on this stuff. LOL
I have an 97 Zx7, and both 04 and 08 Zx10 Swing Arms. The measurements from Pivot to the beginning of the rear wheel bolt slot are as follows...

96 Zx7----- 20.5 Inches
04 Zx10----21.5 Inches
08 ZX10-----21.0 Inches

I have everything for the rear working on the front now.

I have heard that the 08 Swingarm will hit the rear subframe......Your experience will be helpful. The 08 is about 1 inch taller then the 04 Swingarm.

57x

· #17 · Aug 5, 2013

Lenny H said:
Looks like you and I may have been doing some bidding against each other on this stuff. LOL
I have an 97 Zx7, and both 04 and 08 Zx10 Swing Arms. The measurements from Pivot to the beginning of the rear wheel bolt slot are as follows...

96 Zx7----- 20.5 Inches
04 Zx10----21.5 Inches
08 ZX10-----21.0 Inches

I have everything for the rear working on the front now.

I have heard that the 08 Swingarm will hit the rear subframe......Your experience will be helpful. The 08 is about 1 inch taller then the 04 Swingarm.

You have the same measurements on the 08 swingarm that I do, .5" longer. I am putting one on my 01 ZX9R right now. I am also putting on 2011 ZX6R big piston forks on the 9R as well.

Yes, 08 swingarm will hit the subframe (I had another 08 on a 96 ZX7R). Time to get out that aluminum welder and lighten that subframe up while you make it clear the swingarm!

SpeakerBox

· #18 · Aug 5, 2013

I'm just looking for any measurements of spacers and whatever else needs to be done as far as machining wise outside of the zx10 parts that need to be bought for both front and rear. If I decide to go this route in the next few months, I'd like all the relevant info somewhere so I don't have to try and figure it all out on my own since I don't have really accurate measuring tools to try and figure out how big or small things need to be like spacers and what not. I don't mind wrenching at all as long as there's a "how to" on tap ya know.

jowek70

· #19 · Aug 5, 2013

ZX7RJoe said:
Had my gf shoot some “pre” pics the other day so I’ll have some basis for comparison. She’s got the camera for it.

I’m going to try to be as thorough as possible while documenting this whole thing. Hopefully it will make it easier for someone else if/when they decide to take the plunge. If nothing else they’ll know what they’re getting into.

I’ve already weighed all of the 10r parts and will be weighing all of the 7r parts as they’re removed. I’ll be getting overall before/after weight measurements as well. I’m not too concerned but some people really get into the whole weight reduction thing.

I’ll post as many measurements as I can as well as record specs/measurements of any parts that need machined or fabbed up.

If you have any questions or need any measurements, now’s the time to ask since everything will be apart.

Figured I’d squeeze a few “for fun” shots in there as well. :smile

Just for the record you have a gorgeous bike.

SpeakerBox

· #20 · Aug 5, 2013

I do have a question. I think I know the answer but not certain and the only stupid question is one that isn't asked. Will the gearing remain the same for the sprockets that a stock 7 calls for or will that change at all? I'm sure the front is the same, just not so sure about the rear.

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