Well,Im one step away from riding with my new swingarm.....too bad some Ebay lowlife is taking his sweet time shipping the new rear axle Im in need of!
No pics yet,I still havent bought a camera,but I promise they are coming.
So,since Im very close and its basically a done deal,I figured I'd give ya'll an update and parts list for anyone looking to make the same mod.
The Gixxer swingarm is basically a bolt up.No spacers are needed and the linkage matches.I did have to space the dogbones apart a tad,but only because Im running a larger diameter, 06' GSXR 750 rear spring.A couple washers did the trick.The swinger is shorter than the stock unit,by about 2" so shes a stubby little mule....outta help with the handling and she might even pull a wheelie or two now!I had to drop 4-5 chain links due to this fact and my 160 tire is much closer to some things,but there is adequate clearance all around.
I choose a 99-02 SV650 rear wheel for its 4.5" width and 3 spoke design that is similar to the older Suzuki's (the spokes are straight,not swept).I should be able to run my 160 Dunlop Qualifier all the way to the edge now.The B4 cush drive fits right in and the wheel bearings are the same as the B4. I also used the SV rear caliper holder since the SV rear rotor is a little smaller than the B4's.The SV caliper is the same unit and the B4 torque arm bolts up fine, thanks to Jay's addition of a tab on the Gixxer swingarm.The chain alignment is dead on,Im just lacking a gaurd.....probably gonna hack up the hugger and make it work.
The 2nd gen,03-06 SV650 uses a 20MM axle which matches the GSXR 400 axle diameter.It would probably have worked,but I didnt want to risk having the B4 cush drive(and my brandnew sproket) not match up and possibly not having the chain align.The 1st gen SV wheel uses a 17MM rear axle,same as the B4,so I knew some of my current items would fit.I used the B4 chain adjusters to support the 17MM axle,despite the 20MM slots in the swingarm.I used the Gixxer end caps to make it look clean and align the adjusters inside the swingarms.I had to narrow the SV right side axle spacer about 3-4MM since the new swingarm is a little narrower than the SV swingarm.Its all fitted up now and it looks great,Im just waiting on my longer,SV650 axle.Ive currently got it sitting with the B4 axle inserted,but its about 1" too short,the threads dont stick out enough to get the nut started.
I also splurged for a Scotts steering damper.It for the 93-95 GSX-R750 so it bolts right up to the upper clamp.I had to cut off a good portion of the bolt-on lower tower mount, since its a custom job.I carfully and securely welded the tower pin holder to the frame,just ahead of the gastank.It clears everything just fine,nothing binds or is compromised.I slotted the upper battery plate holes just a little so that the gastank can be secured just a smidge back from where it should be.The rubber surround on the bottom of the tank just contacts the base of the tower pin plate where its welded to the frame.
Its acutally an Ohlins,I didnt know that until I got it.I thought Id never need one,ironically 1 day after ordering it,I hit some rain grooves on the freeway while accelerating and she went into a terrible fit,thought I was gonna lose it for a second.I also had a few twitchy moments while riding hard last week through the St Helena pass,a local twisty mountain road.Im hoping it will be one of those things that makes you say,"Man,how did I ride without one of these things?"......if anything,Im hoping it will have some effect,especially on such a light,twitchy bike.If it saves my ass once,it paid for itself.....and it sure does look cool!
Topic: GSX-R400 swingarm,and some other mods. (Read 7902 times)