Fork choice?

[Rockt]

I didn't do the modifications on the TZR250 3XV swingarm. Brian Turfrey did the conversion

Sorry, you did say that before. I was thinking maybe Charlie could weigh in since he has the RGV swinger with the GP pipes.

[RZed]

Rockt,
I went a different direction as far as the linkage. I didn't get a lower pivot knuckle with my swingarm and wasn't able to easily find one either. Plus I was trying various shocks to see what would work. I ended up using the stock RZ lower pivot arm. As you can see from the pics it just barely clears the pipes. The down side is I don't have rising rate linkage like you would with the RGV pivot. I think if you had the RGV pivot and used the adapter plates that bolt on to the centerstand mounts everything should still clear the pipes. But I don't know that for a fact....just my assumption.
Hope that helps.







Charlie

[Rockt]

Helps a lot Charlie, thanks.

The pictures of the adaptor plate method that I've seen show the shock and linkage hanging down much farther than your set-up. But... it looks like it would still clear with your pipes, as the depth isn't really a factor. The pipes are spread out enough to, I think, accommodate the linkage, whether it hangs down or not.

Your set-up is clean and would be simpler than the adaptor plates. And I don't have the RGV pivot knuckle either. Did you make your own dogbones? How is the ride without the rising rate?

[RZed]

Helps a lot Charlie, thanks.

The pictures of the adaptor plate method that I've seen show the shock and linkage hanging down much farther than your set-up. But... it looks like it would still clear with your pipes, as the depth isn't really a factor. The pipes are spread out enough to, I think, accommodate the linkage, whether it hangs down or not.

Your set-up is clean and would be simpler than the adaptor plates. And I don't have the RGV pivot knuckle either. Did you make your own dogbones? How is the ride without the rising rate?

Yes, I made my own dogbones out of 1/4" x 1" aluminum flat bar. I made multiple sets in 1/8" increments till I got the ride height I wanted. I think I ended up with a 7-1/8" center to center on the holes. The ride seems good for me with the CBR F4i shock.

Charlie

[giron]

I had the adapter plates with my VJ23. The fat cones like on my bike would not clear. Brian had to shave off the center stand brackets to accommodate the fat cones from his pipes

[RuZty]

Those pictures make me want to send you a hacksaw and a file.

[RZed]

Those pictures make me want to send you a hacksaw and a file.

Yeah, that's one of those things where I told myself just get it together and I'll fix it later.
Thanks RuZty, now I have one more thing to do this weekend.

Charlie

[RuZty]

Good, that would have tainted me every time I saw your bike.

[Rockt]

Helps a lot Charlie, thanks.

The pictures of the adaptor plate method that I've seen show the shock and linkage hanging down much farther than your set-up. But... it looks like it would still clear with your pipes, as the depth isn't really a factor. The pipes are spread out enough to, I think, accommodate the linkage, whether it hangs down or not.

Your set-up is clean and would be simpler than the adaptor plates. And I don't have the RGV pivot knuckle either. Did you make your own dogbones? How is the ride without the rising rate?

Yes, I made my own dogbones out of 1/4" x 1" aluminum flat bar. I made multiple sets in 1/8" increments till I got the ride height I wanted. I think I ended up with a 7-1/8" center to center on the holes. The ride seems good for me with the CBR F4i shock.

Charlie

Just looked at your pics again. The dogbones have 7-1/8 written in magic marker and your bike has a nice stance, so that's what I'd start with if I go that route. Hey, what's that expression, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery"? Something like that. Anyway, I like your approach - kind of old world British-style craftsmanship. That's how they set crankshaft end play in BSA's and the like, isn't it, (though the end result wasn't always as positive as yours ).

[Rockt]

I might be high-jacking my own thread because I originally asked about front end stuff but now that it's gravitated to the back... leaning towards an SV650 rear wheel, (tried hard to find an RGV VJ22 wheel but no luck), because it's 4.5" wide and, from reading out here, with a GS500 cush drive and 150 tire, plus 10mm offset front sprocket, it should all fit. From what I can find, the VJ22 and 2nd gen (> '02) SV650 axle are both 20mm. Does this all sound right?

[RuZty]

I used one from a 750 Katana, but I do recall the later SV650 and possibly the GSF600 Bandit were 20mm. Easiest way to check is look up replacement wheel bearings and check the size. I went with a rotor of a later GSXR to get the right diameter. I had to turn down the Katana cush drive spacer to fit the GS500 cush drive.

[RZResurection]

I actually didn't think of the turn-to-turn issue. Charlie, is that a problem for you with the R1 USD forks?

Some forks will be an issue, but its more related to the offset of the triple than the actual forks themselves. I have 2001 R1 USD forks on my RZ. I have a reduced turning radius due to the smaller offset. The triples hit the tank sooner with a smaller offset.

It's weird, at really low creeping speeds, my bike wants to fall into the corner because the forks don't turn enough - or not as much as they used to. The short offset reduces the effective turning radius. At actual driving speeds, this doesn't come into play.

[Rockt]

I used one from a 750 Katana, but I do recall the later SV650 and possibly the GSF600 Bandit were 20mm. Easiest way to check is look up replacement wheel bearings and check the size. I went with a rotor of a later GSXR to get the right diameter. I had to turn down the Katana cush drive spacer to fit the GS500 cush drive.

Thanks RuZty. Took more searching than I'd have thought, but it looks like both VJ22 and the SV650 use a 6204 bearing, 20x47x14mm.

[Rockt]

I actually didn't think of the turn-to-turn issue. Charlie, is that a problem for you with the R1 USD forks?

Some forks will be an issue, but its more related to the offset of the triple than the actual forks themselves. I have 2001 R1 USD forks on my RZ. I have a reduced turning radius due to the smaller offset. The triples hit the tank sooner with a smaller offset.

It's weird, at really low creeping speeds, my bike wants to fall into the corner because the forks don't turn enough - or not as much as they used to. The short offset reduces the effective turning radius. At actual driving speeds, this doesn't come into play.

Thanks for the input RZResurection.

I'm going to have to take what I can find that's decent without breaking the bank. So I'm not going to be able to pick a fork with more offset, I'll have to live with the compromised steering lock. But it doesn't sound like it's a big deal, especially once you're moving.

Let's face it, a lot of this is about the look. CBR600F2 or F3 conventional forks would work great on the RZ but they're just not as cool

[giron]

I had cbr600 front end on my with a rz500 swinarmg. This guy wanted it
He pay good money for the parts. RGVSteve did the conversion