Z1OwnersClub GB

How long is a standard Z1000J swingarm?
My Z handles a bit barge like, it's very stable and the steering is fairly slow, I'm wondering if this is due to the Zephyr 750 swingarm which looks a bit long, it could equally be down to the huge amount of trail that the FZR1000 yokes and forks give, or a combination of the two.

Julian,
Look at some of al's posts (the artist previously know as zorded !)
He has been down this route.
What offset are your fzr yokes. ?

I have found a picture we drew up from Robs Orange before he fitted bandit forks.
It was fine like this but bandit forks have less offset.

Dunno, I'll have to have a measure
Hasn't Al moved his swing arm pivot forward, something that I think would cure the slow steering and the rear end acceleration squat, not sure if I want to go down this route or not.

Al has but Rob has'nt on the picture above.
His swing arm gsxr slabby is 530mm

Also the orignal Lawson bikes did not have that done, but they did run less offset.

I've had a look at some pictures of a standard J and the rear wheel looks to be about the same place as mine, so the offset of the forks may be the culprit here.

I'd still like to know how long a standard J one is if anyone has one, need to measure my swingarm for comparison, and probably something more important to think about than Z1000J handling.

Standard Z1000R swinging arm is 550mm from centre of pivot to the end of the arm where the chain adjusters butt. I believe the J and R share swinging arms?

Your Z1000J will not steer quickly. It is a barge. If you want something that steers and handles then buy Phil's Harris.......

Zephyr 750 arm is 530 mm from pivot to centre of chain adjustment
Yoke off set is 25mm

I still have my J arm here, where do you want it measuring from /to. I have a zephyr 750 arm fitted now and Martins right, the J arm is shorter, 1100R arm longer by about 20 or 25 mm if i remember and yes the bike is a barge. To speed up the steering response a little; reduce the rake, lift the rear end and drop the forks through the yolks if thats possible with yours. That will also shift a little weight forward which will give more feel / positivity to the steering.

AL

Zrx 1100 swinging arm is shorter, mine handles pretty well. The endurance bike has a 1100 zephyr fitted and is very stable but it can still be thrown about.
Rob

My J handles surprisingly well, which (at the moment but watch this space) has standard forks, 18" wheels, a Davida swinging arm (which I found out tuther week were apparently made by Harris) but most importantly 365mm rear shocks. I haven’t measured the swinging arm length to compare, but I will once I'm back on the right side of the Irish Sea...

I would suggest fork offset is the most affective and easiest way to quicken steering.
Most now use 17" wheels and having just changed from Bridgestone to Michelin I feel these make a difference as well.
I was suffering from drop in during low speed tight turns on negative throttle. It was necessary to trickle the throttle to compensate. The michelins are much better so far.

My swing arm is 25mm longer than a stock arm which gives increased stability.

25mm fork offset is ok.
you wont get it much shorter.
Like the guys say they are are bit of a barge (ignore the shock lengeth on the picture above as the brackets are were well forard on robs swing arm.
I think that Gpz'S Standard are 365 as are zrx's. Like Al suggests tip it on its nose that should help.

But I do like Martins' suggestion Buy the Harris the wheel base on the Harris is only 1400. So comparable with much more modern stuff.

Last thing I want is less offset, that'd give it more trail, I was thinking of increasing the offset to reduce the trail, a weird one where increasing the wheelbase speeds up the steering.

BTW it handles nicely in fast sweeping bends, it's just needs heaving on it's side in tight bends, I could always just avoid tight corners.

You just need some wide bars!