new wheels/swingarm
10-25-2009, 03:14 PM
#1
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new wheels/swingarm
Finally got my new wheels mounted. I had found a great set of used OZ wheels for an RC51 last year and already had the RC front end. I have been trying to get a swingarm out of JMC for nearly that long. I really like the OZ wheels look. Now that they are on - what a difference in handling and feel. much lighter steering and much more flickable.
Altogether from teh stock SH rear end, weight for the entire rear wheel/sprocket/disc/tires went from about 25# to 17#. The front was already an SP2 wheel-setup and dropped from about 26# total weight with tires, to 24#. The swingarm was another2# drop. Anyway, rotating mass and all, better distribution of weight on the wheel = big difference in feel. Not sure I can tell a difference in the swingarm at street pace - I just think the stock arm is one of the uglier pieces on the bike and really wanted to be able to match the front RC wheel.
For the swingarm - I would never deal with them (JMC) again. I will give a strong rec to a guy david cork at streetfighters by design who helped me get the arm from them in the end. He can get a lot of custom parts and has quite a few contacts if you need a hard to find thing. The JMC guys are really terrible customer service - you've read that before, but it is true. I was in no hurry and had low hopes when I ordered it, but wasn't out anything so figured what the hell. and it actually finally came. In the end it would have been less work converting an SP2 arm - the JMC is nice but even when I finally got it, it wasn't set up as ordered to easily accept the RC rear wheel and still required some (straightforward) machine work. Anyway, got everything bolted up finally.
before/after pics
Altogether from teh stock SH rear end, weight for the entire rear wheel/sprocket/disc/tires went from about 25# to 17#. The front was already an SP2 wheel-setup and dropped from about 26# total weight with tires, to 24#. The swingarm was another2# drop. Anyway, rotating mass and all, better distribution of weight on the wheel = big difference in feel. Not sure I can tell a difference in the swingarm at street pace - I just think the stock arm is one of the uglier pieces on the bike and really wanted to be able to match the front RC wheel.
For the swingarm - I would never deal with them (JMC) again. I will give a strong rec to a guy david cork at streetfighters by design who helped me get the arm from them in the end. He can get a lot of custom parts and has quite a few contacts if you need a hard to find thing. The JMC guys are really terrible customer service - you've read that before, but it is true. I was in no hurry and had low hopes when I ordered it, but wasn't out anything so figured what the hell. and it actually finally came. In the end it would have been less work converting an SP2 arm - the JMC is nice but even when I finally got it, it wasn't set up as ordered to easily accept the RC rear wheel and still required some (straightforward) machine work. Anyway, got everything bolted up finally.
before/after pics
10-25-2009, 05:49 PM
#7
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thanks guys. don't know what it weighs now. The biggest drops have been wheels, full exhaust, clipons in place of stock pegs/passenger pegs. I have to get a heavy duty scale and weigh the front and rear and see. might be in the range of 40-45# less overall?
Skokie - yes, the triples are drilled with risers and fatbars. I still have to find black bar ends for them and trim an jnch off each end to make them narrower, but the riding position is perfect for me now. lots of little detail jobs to do this winter!
Skokie - yes, the triples are drilled with risers and fatbars. I still have to find black bar ends for them and trim an jnch off each end to make them narrower, but the riding position is perfect for me now. lots of little detail jobs to do this winter!
10-25-2009, 07:12 PM
#8
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thanks guys. don't know what it weighs now. The biggest drops have been wheels, full exhaust, clipons in place of stock pegs/passenger pegs. I have to get a heavy duty scale and weigh the front and rear and see. might be in the range of 40-45# less overall?
Skokie - yes, the triples are drilled with risers and fatbars. I still have to find black bar ends for them and trim an jnch off each end to make them narrower, but the riding position is perfect for me now. lots of little detail jobs to do this winter!
Skokie - yes, the triples are drilled with risers and fatbars. I still have to find black bar ends for them and trim an jnch off each end to make them narrower, but the riding position is perfect for me now. lots of little detail jobs to do this winter!
10-25-2009, 07:50 PM
#9
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HAHA - thanks for catching that, was tired when I wrote it. rearsets huh? I guess I've heard that term before.
I also went through a bunch of versions of handlebars before finally settling on these. For street riding long distances I just need a little more upright for comfort. For track I don't care. Including heli's, superbike bars, convertibars and finally these. These are the best - and you can get a lot of options with rise and bar bends. Highly recommend them.
I don't stil have any stock triples - but I am sure ebay can be your friend pretty cheap for those - or list a new thread in for sale/want to buy. I really don't think you are going to risk much by drilling the one you have either - it shouldn't weaken them. good luck
I also went through a bunch of versions of handlebars before finally settling on these. For street riding long distances I just need a little more upright for comfort. For track I don't care. Including heli's, superbike bars, convertibars and finally these. These are the best - and you can get a lot of options with rise and bar bends. Highly recommend them.
I don't stil have any stock triples - but I am sure ebay can be your friend pretty cheap for those - or list a new thread in for sale/want to buy. I really don't think you are going to risk much by drilling the one you have either - it shouldn't weaken them. good luck
10-25-2009, 09:24 PM
#11
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HAHA - thanks for catching that, was tired when I wrote it. rearsets huh? I guess I've heard that term before.
I also went through a bunch of versions of handlebars before finally settling on these. For street riding long distances I just need a little more upright for comfort. For track I don't care. Including heli's, superbike bars, convertibars and finally these. These are the best - and you can get a lot of options with rise and bar bends. Highly recommend them.
I don't stil have any stock triples - but I am sure ebay can be your friend pretty cheap for those - or list a new thread in for sale/want to buy. I really don't think you are going to risk much by drilling the one you have either - it shouldn't weaken them. good luck
I also went through a bunch of versions of handlebars before finally settling on these. For street riding long distances I just need a little more upright for comfort. For track I don't care. Including heli's, superbike bars, convertibars and finally these. These are the best - and you can get a lot of options with rise and bar bends. Highly recommend them.
I don't stil have any stock triples - but I am sure ebay can be your friend pretty cheap for those - or list a new thread in for sale/want to buy. I really don't think you are going to risk much by drilling the one you have either - it shouldn't weaken them. good luck
here are links to the tommaselli's
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...ad.php?t=12621
http://vintagecosmo.com/store/ (Cosmo does not appear to sell them anymore and is difficult to contact)
these guys carry them but at $175 for a set versus the $100 Cosmo sold me them! http://www.guzzino.com/toadcl.html Good photo of them though. I have plenty of pics of mine installed. These guys have them a bit cheaper
http://www.discovolantemoto.co.uk/ha.../prod_302.html I wonder if the forum Boelens (rboelens@sbcglobal.net) or Dave Wicks still have theirs?
thanks.
10-26-2009, 10:19 AM
#12
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tag risers. the bar came from spiegler USA - superbike fat bar I believe it was called. no fairing trimming required. there are probably going to be subtle differences as I have an RC front end on the bike so already lost some steering lock which reduces interferences with the tank I am sure. but you can reduce lock using some wheel weights on the stock lock tabs also. here is a write up with better pics I think. others on here have other threads also on the process.
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...hlight=fatbars
https://www.superhawkforum.com/forum...hlight=fatbars
10-26-2009, 10:22 AM
#13
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these were also mentioned in that thread - another very good looking option - probably close to convertibars
http://www.swattmotorcycle.com/Clip-Ons.html
http://www.swattmotorcycle.com/Clip-Ons.html
10-26-2009, 07:18 PM
#15
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I tried to weigh it tonite in the garage when I had to jack it up to check the front wheel. Using a scale and keeping front/rear wheel level while weighing I get 424# with nearly full tank of fuel. Guessing right around 45 pounds less
11-01-2009, 04:50 PM
#23
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Bike looks awesome (although I must confess I am not too keen on underslung swingarm braces, but that is strictly an aesthetic thing) and must run even better than it looks. Congrats on a job well done!!!!!!
11-01-2009, 05:26 PM
#25
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These are fatbars not chopped, they are titled "Mini" and the overall width is that of most sportbikes. As you can see I can fit all switches/controls onto the bars and they don't look too wide or out of place like that on most std fatbars. In your case it would be cheaper to just cut off at this point.
My two cents.....
Your bike looks great by the way!!!!
My two cents.....
Your bike looks great by the way!!!!
11-01-2009, 06:36 PM
#26
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thanks guys. mikstr they are the stock RC51 calipers, not SH. I was unsure on top or bottom bracing - its trivial but I figured the lower the weight the better and it was what JMC also suggested as having the least fit issues so.........
VTS - those look almost the same width as mine (mine are 30") and I figure I can trim at least an inch from each side - which should be close to what I want. Narrower is better. Do you know just straight across from end to end what they measure?
VTS - those look almost the same width as mine (mine are 30") and I figure I can trim at least an inch from each side - which should be close to what I want. Narrower is better. Do you know just straight across from end to end what they measure?
11-01-2009, 06:50 PM
#27
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maybe I need to get my eyes checked but those look like SH calipers to me (see link for RC calipers: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-06...Q5fAccessories)
As for the swingarm, it is a nice piece no doubt about it, the weight saving being an added bonus.
As for the swingarm, it is a nice piece no doubt about it, the weight saving being an added bonus.
11-01-2009, 07:20 PM
#28
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hmmm, can't say for sure. were the RC the same all years - its odd the SH would swap right on? I don't actually recall, maybe I switched back to use up some extra sintered pads I had for it - but I wouldn't have thought they would be a direct swap. I actually don't remember. I have some 1000RR calipers I have been waiting to put on and just haven't gotten around yet!
11-02-2009, 06:32 AM
#29
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The RC calipers were the same externally for all years (same as 98-99 900RR, 929, 954 and F4i) but they did switch to smaller pistons on the SP-2 (to go with the smaller MC). Not surprisign that the VTR calipers fit, however, as the Sp calipers fit the VTR fork with only a slight grinding. SWitch them calipers and be prepared for some serious braking my friend! I suggest you get one of the F4i/late 900RR/SP-1/929 version as the pistons are larger, therefore generate more squeeze. Either way, however, they`ll be a major upgrade from the stock VTR units.
Again, your bike is awesome!!!!!!
Again, your bike is awesome!!!!!!
11-02-2009, 06:53 AM
#30
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good to know. I have so many caliper sets in the garage from years of modifying this thing. But I know that I have actually had the RC calipers on it before for sure, but must have swapped back for some reason. but to be honest, with braded lines, the RC master cylinder and sintered pads, I actually can not tell any substantial difference.
Just did some more brake work last nite. Will take some pics and post or enter it into that bike of the month poll
Just did some more brake work last nite. Will take some pics and post or enter it into that bike of the month poll
