What are these USD's and swingarm originally from?

[Pat Conlon]

Chaz, on your fender, see the Allen head for the fender mount on the front lower leg?
See how it's Perpendicular to the axle?
Now see the mount screw on the stock ZX-7 photo? They are different. Parallel to the axle.
The difference might have something to do with your aftermarket CF fender.

That's the only detail I can't reconcile, everything else matches.

[Chaz66]

Would/should these have been re-valved for the extra weight of the FJ?
As an option are they ok?

A quick browse shows the ZX7r adjustable USD and 6 pot calipers ran from 1996 until 2003.
According to the Race Tech website the stock ZX7r fork specs for those years show the fork uses a .85kg/mm spring.
You should be ok for solo riding (how much do you weigh?) but in my opinion too light if you carry a passenger and luggage.

I have .95kg/mm springs in my USD's and I think they are perfect for solo with luggage.


The big question, how do the forks feel? Set your sag. If they feel good with no excessive dive, leave them alone.

Cheers

I need to have a proper ride on her to give you a decent answer to how they feel, which hopefully will be sometime later this week as she has a few other bits to sort out first. I've must read up on the whole sag and suspension set up process too as it's something I've not had to do before. I weigh about 85/90kg i think. Most of my riding will be solo, but I will want to take passengers occasionally, though just on short trips rather than touring. I hope to do some more solo touring too so I guess I'll be upgrading them if they haven't been done already. I'm still trying to get in touch with the owner that did all the modifications. Hopefully they'll remember what, if anything, they changed from standard.

I do know she tends to tip in quite hard on slow turning, which took me by surprise. Guess I'll be checking the steering head bearings to make sure they are ok. Other than that I'm not sure what that might be other than the bike steers a lot quicker than standard with the USD's.

Thanks again for your help Pat, very much appreciated.

[Millietant]

Chaz, on your fender, see the Allen head for the fender mount on the front lower leg?
See how it's Perpendicular to the axle?
Now see the mount screw on the stock ZX-7 photo? They are different. Parallel to the axle.
The difference might have something to do with your aftermarket CF fender.

That's the only detail I can't reconcile, everything else matches.

Even the discs are identical to ZX7-R discs - I reckon Pat's on the money with his suggestion on the front end.

[Millietant]

The steering change is more likely down to something like the rear ride height, possibly shorter front forks, lighter wheels and different tyre profiles and sizes, than being down to the fork springs.

BUT, dropping in suddenly might also be something as simple as low front tyre pressure.

I've got a FZR 1000 USD front end on my FJ and it has 0.95 fork springs and Bridgestone BT023's and the front end feel and steering are much more neutral and consistent than with the original FJ front end. Hopefully you can it sorted and feeling good simply and quickly Chaz

[Chaz66]

The steering change is more likely down to something like the rear ride height, possibly shorter front forks, lighter wheels and different tyre profiles and sizes, than being down to the fork springs.

BUT, dropping in suddenly might also be something as simple as low front tyre pressure.

I've got a FZR 1000 USD front end on my FJ and it has 0.95 fork springs and Bridgestone BT023's and the front end feel and steering are much more neutral and consistent than with the original FJ front end. Hopefully you can it sorted and feeling good simply and quickly Chaz

Thanks, rear ride height could very much effect things! Tyres are 36/42 so shouldn't be that. Lots to do to get her sorted so I'm happy with her. I'm just hoping I don't have to change the exhaust cans! That is a whole new can of worms which would involve re tuning.