ZX6R Track bike Project
Discussion
So I bought myself a “trackbike” over the weekend. Don’t fancy throwing any of my road bikes across the nice track tarmac. It will be staying road legal for the occasional blast.
1997 ZX6R – straight, clear, low mileage and owners. Picture below is after I got it home and gave it a good clean up before being rolled back into the garage.
Spent yesterday stripping it all down and chucked a few extras from it on fleabay to offset some cost. I’m ok with a set of spanners so will be doing most/all of the work myself.
Will keep this updated as I go – for my progress more than anything and asking advice when needed.
So far the rear shock is soft as a sponge so will need rebuilding/replacing. I’m thinking a J model shock will fit without too much work?
Front fork seals are leaking, I’m sure a quick whip round with a sealmate will work but may as well replace the seals, springs and oil.Current thoughts are Hagon shocks or can anyone suggest an alternative?
Downpipes are rusted so replacing them with stainless G model downpipes from fleabay.
Stripped and rebuilt the sticking rear caliper.
Wheels to be stripped and painted black
It’s a budget build if you like so not much will be new.
1997 ZX6R – straight, clear, low mileage and owners. Picture below is after I got it home and gave it a good clean up before being rolled back into the garage.
Spent yesterday stripping it all down and chucked a few extras from it on fleabay to offset some cost. I’m ok with a set of spanners so will be doing most/all of the work myself.
Will keep this updated as I go – for my progress more than anything and asking advice when needed.
So far the rear shock is soft as a sponge so will need rebuilding/replacing. I’m thinking a J model shock will fit without too much work?
Front fork seals are leaking, I’m sure a quick whip round with a sealmate will work but may as well replace the seals, springs and oil.Current thoughts are Hagon shocks or can anyone suggest an alternative?
Downpipes are rusted so replacing them with stainless G model downpipes from fleabay.
Stripped and rebuilt the sticking rear caliper.
Wheels to be stripped and painted black
It’s a budget build if you like so not much will be new.
pozi said:
Before you get too carried away Kawasaki changed quite a lot between your F model and the next generation G - J series, for example if you fit the G model headers you will also need to fit a G model or later end can because your F version will not lineup.
Also the F has an external rear damper reservoir, G and J does not, it might fit event though the F has a narrower swingwarm but even then I expect you will need to chop the battery box to give enough clearance.
I know and am fine with the header/ end can issue. It's still a lot cheaper than paying just over £200 for new stainless pipes.Also the F has an external rear damper reservoir, G and J does not, it might fit event though the F has a narrower swingwarm but even then I expect you will need to chop the battery box to give enough clearance.
I understand the J model shock will fit, but needs battery box chop and the battery moving up to accommodate the internal reservoir.
Do appreciate you pointing those things out though - done a few hours of research on what will/won't fit.
All fairings are off, rear wheel off and rear shock now removed for refurb. Going for a new k-tech rear spring.
Bikes been pretty easy to work on so far nothing is seized yet, given the header bolts a good soak in plus gas and will give them another spray before they get removed towards the end of next week.
Next job is remove front wheel and shocks to give them a refurb.
Need some more help & suggestions with the front springs.
I’ve been suggested 9.5N/mm would be a good spring rate for the fronts, I’ve had a google and used Race tech calculator and that came out with 9.55N/MM too so guess that’s where I need to be?
I weigh about 82kg if this is any use.
I’ve looked at the Ohlins springs but they only seem to offer 8.5N/MM for my bike.
Hagon just offer a progressive spring with no mention of N/MM rate.
I can't really get my head around KTech products section either.
Other than the springs quandary this little project is going very well, so far…
All help appreciated!
I’ve been suggested 9.5N/mm would be a good spring rate for the fronts, I’ve had a google and used Race tech calculator and that came out with 9.55N/MM too so guess that’s where I need to be?
I weigh about 82kg if this is any use.
I’ve looked at the Ohlins springs but they only seem to offer 8.5N/MM for my bike.
Hagon just offer a progressive spring with no mention of N/MM rate.
I can't really get my head around KTech products section either.
Other than the springs quandary this little project is going very well, so far…
All help appreciated!
Thanks for the advice.
I’ll admit I’ve done little reading up on the difference in spring rates etc.
Ohlins do springs for my bike at 8.5n/MM, I’ve emailed to see if they do anything a bit stiffer but I guess I could keep it simple and use some thicker fork oil?
I’m not going to be the next Marquez on track by a LONG shot. So am I going to notice a difference in say 8.5n/MM over 9.5 or 10N/mm?
I’ll admit I’ve done little reading up on the difference in spring rates etc.
Ohlins do springs for my bike at 8.5n/MM, I’ve emailed to see if they do anything a bit stiffer but I guess I could keep it simple and use some thicker fork oil?
I’m not going to be the next Marquez on track by a LONG shot. So am I going to notice a difference in say 8.5n/MM over 9.5 or 10N/mm?
I thought i was there yesterday. Hit the ignition....fuel leaking from the fuel mixture screws, all 4 of them.
So carbs off again and I think the floats my be sticking, they have been ultrasonically cleaned and then sat for a few weeks in a box. Any less anyone can suggest a different fix?
So carbs off again and I think the floats my be sticking, they have been ultrasonically cleaned and then sat for a few weeks in a box. Any less anyone can suggest a different fix?
Having a nightmare with the rear shock. I think the nitrogen has leaked out, the bolt to the external reservoir showed a very small bit of oil around the copper washer, I’ve tightened this up since and all has been fine in terms of no oil showing, but guessing all the nitrogen has gone.
Even with the preload adjuster almost all the way down I’m getting 30mm static sag and 80mm rider sag. I weigh 12 stone 10 so not the heaviest out there. With the shock fitted I seem to have lost 25mm off the seat height too which will come from all the static sag?
I sent the shock away to be rebuilt and have new spring fitted for my weight – can’t remember spring rate so have emailed to double check what was fitted.
Could this annoying issue be something as simple as no nitrogen?
Even with the preload adjuster almost all the way down I’m getting 30mm static sag and 80mm rider sag. I weigh 12 stone 10 so not the heaviest out there. With the shock fitted I seem to have lost 25mm off the seat height too which will come from all the static sag?
I sent the shock away to be rebuilt and have new spring fitted for my weight – can’t remember spring rate so have emailed to double check what was fitted.
Could this annoying issue be something as simple as no nitrogen?
Still learning about suspension. Gone back to who did the rebuild to ask spring rate supplied.
What rate,length etc should I be looking for my weight(12st10lbs without leathers) and bike? (1997 zx6r) this is the final piece of the rebuild so eager to get it right and get the bike out for a blast.
What rate,length etc should I be looking for my weight(12st10lbs without leathers) and bike? (1997 zx6r) this is the final piece of the rebuild so eager to get it right and get the bike out for a blast.
Mr2Mike said:
For a rider weight of 178lbs on a 1997 ZX-6R, the Racetech spring calculator says:
Stock Shock Spring Rate: 8.6 kg/mm (stock)
Street:
Recommended Shock Spring Rate: 8.838 kg/mm (use closest available)
Race:
Recommended Shock Spring Rate: 9.015 kg/mm (use closest available)
Looks like the standard spring isn't too far out anyway in this case.
Thanks very much, very useful. Stock Shock Spring Rate: 8.6 kg/mm (stock)
Street:
Recommended Shock Spring Rate: 8.838 kg/mm (use closest available)
Race:
Recommended Shock Spring Rate: 9.015 kg/mm (use closest available)
Looks like the standard spring isn't too far out anyway in this case.
Had a reply from the supplier
"A 65mn spring is good for a person weighing 11-12.5 stone,this is from
an OHLINS spec sheet.An 8.6kg/mm is for a 14 stone person."
I did said in my original email to the supplier I weighed 83kg (apparently I've lost a few lbs since then..must have more beer and pies) so the 65 spring is off anyway.
How accurate is that Racetech calculator? Even taking a pinch of salt with the figures, what I have is miles off.
I spent hours searching for Kawasaki official spec spring rate etc but led to nothing.
Waiting on suppliers reply now
"A 65mn spring is good for a person weighing 11-12.5 stone,this is from
an OHLINS spec sheet.An 8.6kg/mm is for a 14 stone person."
I did said in my original email to the supplier I weighed 83kg (apparently I've lost a few lbs since then..must have more beer and pies) so the 65 spring is off anyway.
How accurate is that Racetech calculator? Even taking a pinch of salt with the figures, what I have is miles off.
I spent hours searching for Kawasaki official spec spring rate etc but led to nothing.
Waiting on suppliers reply now
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