I am trying to set up my G/F's '01 SV650 suspension, which is to say, i am upgrading all of it. I have the shock figured out w/ a stock zx10 shock (direct replacement i am told) and will be just fine for her level, but I am looking for inexpensive and effective ideas for the forks. what are you you SV guys running and how does it work? As of now, race tech looks like the cheapest option going w/ a set of cartridge emulators, but I am hoping to find other options. Any help is appreciated!
race tech looks like the cheapest option going w/ a set of cartridge emulators,[/quote] That's what I'm using on mine. It works good for getting my 200 lb butt around the track. If you get fork caps off an 02 you will have preload adjusters. Was that her red SV I saw in Todd's trailer last weekend?
I don't know what spring the ZX-10R shock has, but the 636 shock is suited for heavier riders 180+, the gsxr shock is suited well for lighter riders (but it is shorter, which means you'll need different dog bones). SVs like an extra ride height in the back so longer is better. For front spring, also check out Traxxion and Sonic Springs. Max at Traxxion has a nice damper rod/springs/emulator kit for the SV - he recommends larger size emulators than Racetech, but they will not fit the stock damper rods. You would either have to machine them to fit or buy the aftermarket rods from Max. At minimum get the correct springs and oil for her weight. Like Bill said, Racetech will be your cheapest option - just know that the instructions for modifying the stock damper rods are wrong - I think they forget to mention that you need to close up that small hole at the top and there might be something else. I had my old SV front end setup from Traxxion with springs/rods/emulator/heavier oil and it worked very good for me. www.svrider.com is your friend - jump in the Tech forum and you'll find a ton of info on this subject.
Thanks Guys! That is exactly what i was looking for. I have been hitting SVRider.com as well, but looking to see what people I know are using as well. Bill, that was her bike in todd's trailer, complete with Michelle Stone Edition pink tape. The ZX10 shock is 1mm longer than the stock shock, so I should be just fine w/ out needing other mods to make it fit. I may have to re-spring it, but i got one for 63 bucks on ebay, so it is still cheaper than aftermarket! According to the Race Tech site, the stock springs should be suited to her weight, but I may replace them w/ a slightly stiffer spring anyway for the track. ANYTHING is better than what is there now.. I took it out at AutoBahn and found it to be a wallowing, pogosticking mess!
How to say this without being insulting...."if" she weighs under 140lbs you should really get a GSXR600 shock for the bike, not a ZX10 shock. The ZX10 is not sprung or valved properly for her weight. You can buy GSXR shocks on ebay all day long for $30, and SVRaceShop sells 97mm dogbones of very high quality that will raise the rear to the proper height (about 5mm higher than stock). Total price will be the same as the ZX10 shock, but it will be valved and sprung more appropriately for her weight. "If" she weighs under 140lbs the stock fork springs are good. Slightly stiffer would be good for track only (.80), but I would use the money to get a better set-up than the ZX10 for the rear. Replace the oil with 15wt, and drop the forks 5mm-10mm. I prefer Traxxion's kit for the SV (bigger emulators and custom damper rods), but Racetech is a good cheaper alternative. As Misko pointed out, DO NOT follow Racetech's instructions for modifying the rods. Instead, do a search on SVRider and follow Zoran's instructions. If the bike is track only, I'd also highly recomment some Woodcraft clip-ons and rearsets (you can usually find them on ebay or WERA pretty cheap). Finally, cut down the seat. This, more than any other mod, greatly changes the feel of the bike for the better.
Race tech the forks for sure and a steering damper. We stepped up to the Scotts since it is easier to mount.
Thanks guys for all the help. Wade, no worries on being insulting.... she is a featherweight and that is good info. What years GSXR shocks work? I have a 00 750 shock sitting in the garage if it will work. I might hold on to the zx10 shock just for giggles though and play w/ both on the bike. I will look into the traxxion setup as well. This is going to be a dual purpose (street and track) bike, so I cant get too carried away w/ it!
"she is a featherweight" She's a featherweight and there is a good chance she's the heavier of the 2 riding the bike.
Justin.... I have a 01 gsxr front end almost complete... I know I don't have a wheel I also have a 97 gsxr 750 rear shock rebuilt by traxion with a spring not sure the rating on the spring? The 97 shock is taller then the newer gen gsxr's.... I'll look in the garage and see if I have all the brakes for the gsxr front end. I hope you didn't buy anything yet... This has been taking up space in my garage for a while... I'm very fair. It almost ended up in the garbage a couple times!!!!!
Kozy, Im tellin her you said that... she is gonna kick your @$$!! Matt, I wish it were as easy as swapping front ends. unfortunately, I would lose the mounting for her headlight and speedo cable. I want to keep this as a street bike for her, so that will have to wait till i can convince her she doesnt really wanna ride on the street!! Thank you for the offer though and don't throw it out just yet! PM me what you are looking to get for it... I might just use it on my Gixxer!
I think you should jsut sit her down and give her the "good" cop' "bad" cop. You know start out all nice and kind about how street riding is more dangerous, and less fun than track stuff. Then when she's not expecting it, start screaming at her about drunk drivers, and idiots in their cars not paying attention. Then, you can start talking about all the cool parts you could get her if you didn't need to keep those stupid lights :twisted: :twisted: Oh yeah, have someone video tape the whole thing, cause I definately want to see that shit.
Duh.... I wasn't paying attention about the lights... it would be a bit involved to fit all that on.... I will hold on to it. If it helps you out, I don't want much
The headlight bucket is easy to mount with either home-made brackets or aftermarket ones (e.g., Holeshot). In the pic below you can see my old SV with GSXR forks. I mounted the headlight bucket using $2 chain link fense brackets from Home Depot. You will lose the speedometer, but that's an excuse to buy a MyChron. Zoran sells a bearing set to do the conversion on 99-02 SVs; 03+ SVs don't need a new bearing. Regarding the rear shock, I'll have to look it up. The older shocks are taller than stock (too tall according to some people), whereas the newer shocks are shorter (hence the need for new suspension links). I used an 06 GSXR 600 shock on Helise's bike with 97mm dogbones. Height is near perfect.
Looks good I never tried to mount the headlight... Your pic has motivated me. I have the 01 sv with zorans bearing kit. Fence brackets... your a genius wes.....
Bill, you kill me!! how was Road America on the 1k? how many times a lap did you poop a little on the brakes? Wade, Thanks for the pic and the info... fence brackets... now that is resourceful! you guys have all been more than helpful on this one. Of course, now that I have opened this can, i gonna have to answer the "why does your bike need it and not mine?" questions when i do things to the R6.
Justin, I have an 02 GSXR600 Stock shock you can have, low miles, in very good shape. If you want it, I will bring it to the July 7-8 Grattan. John
I think I got a total of 2 semi-dry laps. I never really used the brakes besides that, and then it wasn't that much, never got up to speed.
I've been researching suspension upgrades for the first gen SV for myself as well. Part of me is intrigued by the GXSR front end swap, but the cost of the front end is a bit unrealistic for my budget right now. From what I've found on SVRider, changing out the fork oil to 20wt. will probably improve the front suspension enough for me and your gf (assuming she's about the same size and a novice-level track rider like me). If just the fork oil isn't enough, then go for the springs & emulators. Of course, if you're both going to use the bike, then the suspension setup could get tricky. I'm keeping focused on tweaking the bike to just me since I highly doubt my husband will be riding my bike more than once in a while when his is down for maintenance.