So a little background this is a project born from my disappointment regarding the handling of the RD which was grossly outdated when it came out.
Then I noticed the FZR400 just beside it with much better stuff and being just one generation younger, bikes of the same ballpark and stable and were at one point simultaneously in production in the homeland.
These conditions are very important to me as I deslike mixing makes and abrupt time leaps. they even share the same master cylinders so I now have spares.
The plan is to keep RD frame and engine and adapt FZR wheels, brakes and suspension.
Luckily I got a hold of a first generation FZR still with a 18' rear wheel but featuring a deltabox swingarm, floating discs with 4 pot calipers and 38 mm front suspension.
This bike came out like so for just the 1989 year and then they introduced the RR model with a wider and heavier swingarm, wider 17' rear wheel and last but not least much beefier front, unnecessary weight because the RD frame wont handle the extra stiffness.
![Image](https://iili.io/d4iMtn.jpg)
The later model FZR is useless to this project as it's not possible to use the parts without major frame surgery.
Unfortunately the FZR was in a appalling condition as you can tell by the looks of some parts, adding to the work and expense but they're rare and in my view ideal for the project.
Got the wheels ready with nice sticky bridgestone radials
![Image](https://iili.io/d4iXMG.jpg)
![Image](https://iili.io/d4iWns.jpg)
The rear wheel is a 18' x 4' and the front is a 17' x 3' which I'm thrilled to have because the RD frame was meant for 18' wheels and I think it would look awkward with smaller rear.
As long as I can get nice tyres, I'll still enjoy the agility of a 17' front which is where it matters. Can't wait to feel the massive improvement.
BTW I have a 140 rear tyre, anyone knows if the chain will rub the tyre forcing me to use offset sprockets? I'd really hate to have to be limited by those dam offset sprockets, but I'm still working on fitting the swingarm to test all the alignments etc., so if anybody has a similar size rear wheel can give me a hint?
Now the swingarm fitment is just possible by a hair, the pivot anchors had to be ground down to a flush height and then this happened
![Image](https://iili.io/d4iEut.jpg)
![Image](https://iili.io/d4iaFR.jpg)
![Image](https://iili.io/d4i19I.jpg)
![Image](https://iili.io/d4il8N.jpg)
![Image](https://iili.io/d4icap.jpg)
So I had to go ahead and embrace the dam trench Mr. Yamaha San left hidden and dig a little more just when the swingarm finally cleared the pivot.
This was all done by hand with an angle grinder and a couple of files and it's dam hard to keep it straight and level it was a bitch but when it was just about to sing victory this
![:smt013](./images/smilies/013.gif)
![:smt011](./images/smilies/011.gif)
So I forged ahead and dug out the ol Dremel and went to town on it
![Image](https://iili.io/d4ihPf.jpg)
![Image](https://iili.io/d4iwF4.jpg)
And here comes the TIG
![Image](https://iili.io/d4ivA7.jpg)
![Image](https://iili.io/d4i8N9.jpg)
Have I ignored this soon there would be cracking around the bolt bushes/anchor points, hopefully a last grinding to recover straightness of the surfaces and it will be the end of it.
Next on to the suspension link which is a much better improved light strong alloy part with needle bearings when compared to that unreliable RD system with the ill designed super heavy cast iron pieces with nylon bushings; Thank god that be gone for good.
![Image](https://iili.io/d4p7P1.jpg)
The FZR shock has the exact same anchoring point to the frame as the RD so that is solved (advantages of using same make and generation bikes) so left is adapting the lower link pivot point and then the rods length will adjust the ride height, changing the least possible to preserve suspension geometry but there's still ways to go.
Inside the engine there is straight cut primaries from Nova racing, TZ mains on the crank and many other mods that will hopefully unveil here;
Don't forget please if somebody knows about the wider tyre possible without chain contact please tell us about it, hopeful I am since I had a 130 on the stock bones and the stock chain guard intact so it should be at leas close
![:smt047](./images/smilies/047.gif)