Damn nice, Thats gonna be a whole lotta fun, Might take a bit to dial it in but you should notice the weight reduction
Project: Suspension Upgrade
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 $$$). It all came down to availability and time frame.
Let the fun begin:
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The real kicker: Gen 3 forks with Race Tech G2r cartridge kits already installed. Fresh from Race Tech with zero miles on them. I am unworthy.
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So I’ve been considering a suspension upgrade for some time. The 7r suspension seems to pale in comparison to the performance of the newer bikes, if not in performance, then at least in adjustability.
Two winters ago I completely rebuilt both of my front forks only to find that one now has a slow leak (probably due to me attempt to install the seal without the proper tools. Lesson learned.) I also need new tires.
Rather than purchase the parts to replace that same seal again, and spoon new Q2s onto my 7r wheels, I’ve decided that if an upgrade is to take place, it may as well happen now.
I’ve decided to go with a full gen 3 (2008 – 2010) zx10r suspension front and rear. This will include forks, wheels, swing arm, shock, brakes and rotors (along with the peripherals). My bike will essentially be a 7r from the frame in, and a 10r from the front triple forward, and the swing arm pivot bolt back.
I’ve been collecting the components necessary for the swap (minus any custom spacers/ fab stuff) since early May and have tried to be patient. I got really lucky on a couple finds, and not so lucky on others (had to pay $$$). 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.
161 - 180 of 200 Posts
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!
Turned out awesome, dude!![]()
You know I am a bit of a purist when it comes to these things....but I kinda like it. I was dubious at the start. keep us posted on the follow up.
Do you think that this WSB kit swinger that I am being offered makes my rear end look to big?
Yes.... so you should let me have it
You know I am a bit of a purist when it comes to these things....but I kinda like it. I was dubious at the start. keep us posted on the follow up.
Do you think that this WSB kit swinger that I am being offered makes my rear end look to big?
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No way! The 7r could use some rear end girth. That's why I wanted to swap swing arms in the first place (plus lighter weight, of course). The stock swing arm just looks too thin for a bike that's so beefy, imo.
Going out on a limb here; I'm guessing you paid slightly more for that than the $70 I paid for my Gen III 10r swing arm... Call it a hunch.
This is how the next generation 7RR should have looked had Kawasaki continued to develop it, too bad they stopped cold in 97. As usual, nice job!
2
This past Friday was my gf's birthday so we decided to go riding. The weather was perfect, about 78 degrees and sunny.
Since the last ride went so well I decided to push the bike just a bit further to see if I could expose any weaknesses (what I would consider to be 70% pace, on the street anyway).
She handled really well. Now some of the things that were more subtle at slower speeds. Braking, entering corners, and initiating the turn are all much smoother now. Before, with the 7r front end, braking for a corner and initiating lean could be a bit sketchy.
Again, these brakes are amazing. Between the lower rotating mass, upgraded calipers/rotors, and suspension, the front end just applies stopping force to the front tire really well. I'm required to use very little force at the lever.
As for the rear swing arm clearance, still no problems or any signs of bottoming out, and I went over some large dips, bumps, and potholes at high speed... No problems.
A few pics post-ride:
Still have a bunch of fork left on the front end for emergency braking and more aggressive riding.
This is what I mean when I say 70%, about a half inch chicken strip left on the outside of the rear tire (hard to see it but the edge is just above the small Dunlop "D>"). Had to take it a little easy yet, this is still only my second ride on fresh tires.
Since the last ride went so well I decided to push the bike just a bit further to see if I could expose any weaknesses (what I would consider to be 70% pace, on the street anyway).
She handled really well. Now some of the things that were more subtle at slower speeds. Braking, entering corners, and initiating the turn are all much smoother now. Before, with the 7r front end, braking for a corner and initiating lean could be a bit sketchy.
Again, these brakes are amazing. Between the lower rotating mass, upgraded calipers/rotors, and suspension, the front end just applies stopping force to the front tire really well. I'm required to use very little force at the lever.
As for the rear swing arm clearance, still no problems or any signs of bottoming out, and I went over some large dips, bumps, and potholes at high speed... No problems.
A few pics post-ride:
Still have a bunch of fork left on the front end for emergency braking and more aggressive riding.
This is what I mean when I say 70%, about a half inch chicken strip left on the outside of the rear tire (hard to see it but the edge is just above the small Dunlop "D>"). Had to take it a little easy yet, this is still only my second ride on fresh tires.
161 - 180 of 200 Posts
