RZ/RD 350 & Misc. 2-Stroke Tech BBS

anyone has done the rear 99+ r6 swing arm conversion on a rz 350 1985 Canadian I am strying to figure out how much work and fab I will need and what other parts fit or don't. I already have the swingarm but that is it bare swingarm what about axel, brakes wheel and spacer can I use stock stuff?

The R-6 swingarm, might be too wide too adapt to a RZ350.
I'm pretty sure it will not work, not without frame widening.
1st start out by measuring the R6 vs your stock swingarm the piviot point.
Then you can see 1st hand how much machining would be required. Likley to the swingarm and frame.
Until you do this, you can't really go forward.
There are other things to take into consideration as well the length of the swingarm how will that change your wheelbase the shock mounting assembly and various other little factors

I can give you a phone number of a man can explain probably why you should not attempt this.

I honestly don't recall a 350 with an R6 conversion I know it's been attempted I don't think I've ever seen one that's been completed? My brain could be getting old too

I have two P swingarms. I won't be using. I may have the hanger and caliper for the VJ22. I would use a 4.5"X17" wheel

Very wide at pivot. Unless doing purely for looks there are much better conversions that will net cost the same or less.

You ruin the handling by putting a 180 on a little bike.

This again all assumes you care about handling and not just looks...

As mentioned above you certainly lose the nimbleness of what a very narrow light weight tire delivers.
By far the most common swingarm conversion ever was the 86-87 fz600 arm that conversion has been done a million times with great success and benefits.
It's not as easy as many people think, and many go about it the wrong way, with tires off center, Driveline slack issues,excessive piviot play, wrong gemoetry with the linkage, but far more common is the mistake people make with rear shocks, I don't want to get into it but there is no substitute for a properly valved and setup rear shock to compliment a front set up the same way the price of a rear shock should not even be a concern it's that important.

I have viewed and ridden a few RZs with wide rims and tires when done correctly the handling is purely Sublime unequaled , especially due to the light weight of the machine, contact area and grip is phenomenal ,again though this requires major chassis modifications, the bike I rode was identical to the Jamie James modified RZ 350 he went about it the same way , and frankly undoubtedly unequivocally the best handling RZ probably that can be achieved, one would be hard-pressed and spend a lot more money to trump that setup.
That method is getting pretty involved, most swingarm conversions like the RGV or the 86-87 FZ , I have a 90 FZR 400RR. Tire selections are generally 17" and generally 140 to 160 width. I spent a long time researching the setup that that I had modified for me it wasn't easy but, I have full range of proper motion coupled with a target if short wheelbase. I wanted TZ250 geometry. My shock will likley be a Penske or Wilbers shock and I'm able to run a 160 slick.

Many of the swingarm conversions extended the wheelbase, WIMHO is my case I did not want longer, not at all , That's how I have it designed, As far as function, I won't know until I get it out on a track , but I know it will be very quick,and likley twitchy & will probably give me headaches until I dial it in, steering stabilizer will be mandatory.
Same goes for the front with my it triple clamps Rake /Trail. settings, on paper it's designed exactly as I want it,.
I bought my setup used and I had to work a lot of bugs out of it and make some changes, once I was confident of all my parts, we're going to give me the chassis I wanted, I sent them to "RGV Steve" . Steve Cisewskii , and he did all the machining/welding for me. Likley with some cuss words...lol. If you ever need machine work on a front or rear end conversion he is a good man, very meticulous and productive and does exceptional welding and light machine work.

Whatever you decide to do that's your thing..? but just be aware there's a lot more to it than a big swingarm and a fat tire. Just in the back off the top of my head things that have to be taken into consideration are pivot with diameter, swingarm length, swingarm width, rear axle wheel break combos brake lines master cylinder if you're using a stock R6 Rim that came with that that's fairly simple if you start mixing different rims from different machines than you get into custom spacers axle swaps and we're not even talking about the geometry of the linkage and the adaptation of a shock.

Ive never seen an FZ swinger conversion in my life, not in Aus or the UK. It seems its a US/Canadian thing, so I take issue that its the most well known conversion as its not known here... I think the RGV isnt well known in the USA as they were never sold there so parts dont come up and hence no one sees them, yet there are lots of them in Aus/UK etc.

Swingers are 'Horses for courses' based on where you live etc.

JonW wrote:Ive never seen an FZ swinger conversion in my life, not in Aus or the UK. It seems its a US/Canadian thing, so I take issue that its the most well known conversion as its not known here.
Swingers are 'Horses for courses' based on where you live etc.

Hmm interesting dilema.
As early as 1986, they were swapping swingers here.
RGVs didn't come along for another 3 years, and the banana RGV swingarm, didn't arrive until a full 6 years later.

As Americans and Canadians, we pretty much go it alone. Frankly we probably don't even know nor care that the rest of the world exists , we take pity on the poor souls rumored to live across distant oceans , likely due to the fact that this is the center of the universe... lol

Haha, well it does seem like that at times when you watch the TV or visit. 'World Series' means something different in the USA to what I might think etc.

I think its interesting that what's in the bone yards can dictate what bits people fit and hence the conversions done, I hadnt considered that before but it makes sense.

Questo vecchio rz wrote:[
As Americans and Canadians, we pretty much go it alone. Frankly we probably don't even know nor care that the rest of the world exists , we take pity on the poor souls rumored to live across distant oceans , likely due to the fact that this is the center of the universe... lol

Flattered that you include us but your current political system is rapidly making us better friends with the rest of world (Saudi Arabia excepted).
(not intended to start a political discussion, just having a laugh)

As far as muslin. Its just a religion just like any other religion. I like to quote Frederick the great ( a Kaiser, Prussian king)

"All religions must be accepted since everyone has a right to get to heaven in there own way"

I have an FZ swingarm and shock if you're interested.

Jeff did an R1 swinger. Look for ReZerection or something like that. He's located in Ontario Canada. Very well documented here, but wow, so much work.

He did... we liked Jeff! where did he go? C'mon Jeff start posting again mate!

I rode his bike when I did I my drive across Canada. He's been up to a lot of domestic upgrades. He jumps in whole hog. I'm sure he'll be back soon.

RGV250: Either gullwing or straight work both. Use the adapter plates from the net incl the stock linkage. Get a "RGV" shock build/setup for new bike+rider weight.

NS400: Lotsa work to fit and quite narrow. Wouldn't recommend.

For the front end I would prefer the R6 over the RGV.
6 kg lighter and better suspension / adjustments.

150 or 160 tire is just fine. I prefer the 160's as there's more choices.
Conti Track slick is a good, cheap and long-lasting pick.
Otherwise I used Dunlop KR108 (most expensive, but simply the best).
Depending on your abilities and usage on the road you could use anything between Bridgestone RS10 and Conti Sport Attac 3. Note that using a hypersport tire on the road is not a good idea if you live in rainy UK and ride like a girl. These depend strongly on getting to temperature and are much worse than ANY touring tire when they're not.