R6 mods

[acer787]

Just picked up my first RZ 500 and have a couple of questions. Who is doing the R6 swing arm mods ? Location ? What year of R6 is better? I found in older post that the 06 and newer is pefered. Is this still true? Thanks for any help...greatly appreciated. BTW, I'm located in the US.
John

[kpke]

John

I had an 06 swingarm. The good man that did mine and probably 100 others suggested 08 style. There is a slight difference.

I'm pretty sure Steve is not doing these anymore so can't help with the who.

Put up a build thread so we can follow along.

[acer787]

thanks. i think I read somewhere about going with a 08 or newer. I try to post a build thread once I get everything going

[tacky1]

As Ken said, theirs not much difference, I went with an 08 front and rear, same mods needed, I ran the 5,5 inch rear wheel for chain clearance and the smaller tyre,

[rz500guytexas]

I have an 06 set up that was done by Steve. All the swingarms appear to be the same number on 2006 to 2010 for an R6. This not the same as an FZ. Use a 180 tire and chain will clear. Two issues are ride height. Spend the money and have an adjustable shock built. A longer clevis mount on the end of shock is nice if the shock manufacturer feels it is safe. I had to go to a taller profile tire on rear to get geomotry and tire wear correct. A 60 profile tire raised the rear axle 10 mm over the 55 profile. Put wore weight on the front and also put a bigger contact patch down. You also need a heavier spring installed on the shock due to the additional leverage caused by the longer length. I am at 1,145lb i believe with remote reservior. The shock was built by Cogent Dynamics. I am sure they have the specs on the shock in there database. Expect it to cost $1,200 to $1,400 i would guess. You can go down the road of trying something off another bike but the suspension is different on the 500. The linkage, the heat from the pipes, the spring. I have seen people try to reinvent the wheel but mine has been a dedicated track bike for over 9 years and performs flawless. And those were words from a Moto America Superbike rider who rode it.

[Jeff B]

Did Steve build them to standard ride height specs? I would have expected a little extra ride height built into the swingarm to help accommodate for the length.

[kpke]

I believe Steve built them to standard ride height.

Years ago I set up a group buy for Wilbur shocks. I had mine built 3/8 or 1/2 of an inch longer than stock. I would have to look at my notes to be sure.

[acer787]

ok, question time... I put the r6 swingarm and front forks/wheel on . If I understand you guys right, the shock legnth will need to be adjustable and you custom ordered one 1/2" longer? Wilburs has one on their website that has an adjustable clevis on it. Would this take the place of ordering a custom legnth one?.

[tacky1]

ok, question time... I put the r6 swingarm and front forks/wheel on . If I understand you guys right, the shock legnth will need to be adjustable and you custom ordered one 1/2" longer? Wilburs has one on their website that has an adjustable clevis on it. Would this take the place of ordering a custom legnth one?.

Yep, Get the adjustable one, I used an adjustable on 2 of mine and that allowed me to set a higher tail which gave me a lot better steering as the 500 is lazy and heavy...

[rz500guytexas]

Have them buil it longer and have the clevis built longer also for mor adjustment. My shock was adjustable but the existing clevis would not allow the back to come up as high as needed to weight the front tire. There is a mark on the clevis i call the lawyer line and should not go further than that. Cogent built mine and they sai they could build a new clevis to give me the adjustment. Went with 160 tire which rased back 10 MM. Problem solved. Remember the spring needs to be a bit heavier than you think

[giron]

check with Wolfgang. He has the answer you need by altering the shock brackets.

[hailwood1965]

Who is the rider?

[rd84]

NK Racing in the UK also do the R6 swingarm with revised ride height to allow for longer swingarm and 17" wheel diameter if you ask for that spec.

Cheers
Paul

[rz500guytexas]

Do it once and the correct way. Keep it all set as it is and buy the adjusatble shock. Order with a longer clevis as my shock company told me that they could do. You have all the adjustability you can ever want. Everyone needs to stop with all the relocating of mounts. The money it costs for all the fabrcation is a waste and can be used on a good quality shock. If the bike is going to be a trailer queen or riden around to shows do what you want. My bike has been on track for years and the picture of the three bikes in the corner was a Moto America Superbike rider on my scooter. His remark to my question of how it handled and braked was do not do a thing to it with exception of adding a steering damper. Just my honest opinion.

[giron]

go with an adjustable shock and have the extra adjustment by relocating the front shock mount on both brackets 10mm back. this way way you have more adjustaments