Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Really cool that you are racing it now. Curious though since I'm a noob at bikes, what is different about race plastics? Just cheapo replacements for the real fairings?

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Fiberglass versus ABS plastic. Easier to repair, lighter, and street plastics go for some money.

Also they are designed to eliminate lights.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

I've been working away. Last night I was fitting some race plastics and playing around with paint ideas. Finished the night with a completely black lower fairing (e-tape), white upper fairing, and the under side of the tail in white.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Also to race cra you need a belly pan, on street plastics there are 2 sides a left and right faring and is open between the two, race glass you have a full one pice front and a full one pice belly pan, the belly pan is made to catch any oil-gas-or coolant that the bike spills or spits out in a crash or mechanical failure, to avoid anything getting on the track, also there lighter than street stuff cause you lose all the lights and wire harnesses you Don't need when racing.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Getting closer! I've installed in the last few weeks:
Hindle full titanium exhaust system
Factory Pro Star shift kit
Vortex Clip On's
Hotbodies Double Bubble clear windscreen
Safety wire all brakes and oil systems (except the coolant reservoir cap I have on order)

Things I've removed:
All lights and most of the associated wiring, intake snorkel air silencer, kickstand and associated brakes, rear pegs and associated brackets, etc.

Things I need to install:
Body work, Finish up paint on body work, vinyl/decals on body work
15T front gear and 43T rear gear and 520 chain
Safety wire a coolant reservoir cap
Michelin race take off tires

Hitting the dyno today to see what the full exhaust did for the power/ensure it is still safe.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Sounds like you have done a ton of work on it!

Whats the shift kit do? Make the throw shorter between gear changes?

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Yes and more positive!

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Bike is getting closer. Having tires put on tonight then all that is left is:
Swap out front pads for more aggressive track pads (EBC) - In the mail.
Adapt GSX-R steering damper and swap out oil in damper - In the mail.
New Dzus fasteners as the garbage I ordered the first time was crap - In the mail.
Install new frame protectors - In the mail.
Install new chain (gears are in) - Tonight.

Essentially unless the mail comes, I am doing tires and a chain tonight ;)

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

List:
Swap out front pads for more aggressive track pads (EBC) - In the mail, should be Tuesday..
Adapt GSX-R steering damper and swap out oil in damper - Done, see attached picture.
New Dzus fasteners as the garbage I ordered the first time was crap - Done
Install new frame protectors - Done.
Install new chain (gears are in) - Tuesday.

DOT race take offs are mounted and balanced.

What's left:

Need to finish chain install, tighten front sprocket, install rear brake caliper, re-safety wire that, install front tire and axle, safety wire pinch bolts, install new brake pads, safety wire calipers.

Behold, a 2006 Suzuki 600 GSXR steering damper adapted to a 2003 Kawi Ninja ZX6RR. I'll swap it out to 5W oil tomorrow. It "should" hold as I really beat the piss out of it on the stands and it held just fine.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Been very busy but accomplished getting my racing license with the CRA at the end of August. Took 3rd in the New Rider Race (first podium, yay), and then proceeded to finish middle-back of the back with the rest of the 600's.

Still it was a blast. I cannot wait until next season. Had a few off track incidents and one lowside crash in turn 12 protecting my position under the white flag in the 2nd to last race. Overall I put on around 220 miles my first weekend and got down to a best lap time of 1.49:037 on the competition course.

I learned that I brake later than most, and I could use a bit more power. I also need to work on body position and loose 20lbs over the winter.

Part of my crash was being too greedy on the brakes part was my driver peg touching the corner when at full lean, I've ordered aftermarket rear sets to correct that issue.

A power commander this winter should help the mid range power loss I've been experiencing, plus the muffler being fixed.

Few action shots. New rider race turn #3 and Turn #9 during a Middleweight Superbike race on Saturday. As well as flat out in Turn 1.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Did you re-dyno?
Super proud of you for taking this as far as you have!

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Yeah it made 100.5 hp peak and 42.1 tq but LOST hp from 8-11k, really hurt coming out of the corners. We found the problem to be the baffling in the muffler missing, so that has been shortened and it will be dyno tuned this spring.

I am hoping for +5hp from 8-14k next season.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Things are starting to shape up for a good year next year.

First a little whoring: Please go like my racing facebook page. I am trying to build this page and link it for sponsors instead of my personal page as I want to separate racing from my personal stuff.

https://www.facebook.com/SwanbergRacing

I do updates nearly daily of cool videos, progress, information on the upcoming season, shout out to sponsors (and there deals) and a few other items.

:dj:

So next season I have 6 weekends/events planned.
Classes I'll be racing in: Middleweight Superbike, Middleweight Grand Prix, Heavyweight Superbike, Heavyweight Grand Prix. Means most weekends are 8 races or so.

May 13-15 -Brainerd International Raceway- Competition Course
June 10-12 -Brainerd International Raceway- Competition Course. Dual CRA/CCS Event.
July 1st-3rd - Road America - Full Course. Dual CRA/CCS event.
July 15-17 -Brainerd International Raceway- Donnybrooke Course
August 26-28 -Brainerd International Raceway- Competition Course
September 23-25 -Brainerd International Raceway- Donnybrooke Course

Throw in a few potential Track Days with ZARS and Road Closed promotions and the occasional DCTC day; it should be a very busy season.

:spin:

Very excited for 2016 sponsors:
Axo Racing (gear)
Bel-Tech Lubricants (Fluids)
Engine-Ice ("Coolant")
Trackside Labs (trackside help, suspension advise, Michelin Tires Guru)
Ryno Power Supplements (helping me get less fat)

I am also working with 2 other potential deals, one a potential body shop for fairing painting/clearing. They do great car work so if I can help them out with advertisement and they can help me out with paint; I call that a WIN/WIN.

So far as far as work I've had John LaCroix shorten and repair/repack my muffler that was falling apart at BIR in August and put on new rear sets that'll get my feet back and up 1", should really help with ergo. I also got a new HJC RPHA-10 helmet and a spare motor sitting here ready to roll (except a cam tensioner). Finally my front wheel should show up so I have a full spare set.

Things that are in the works for spring:
Kawasaki "Racing" shorter velocity stacks
Powercommander USB Fuel controller
Ignition Advance rotor OR Powercommander timing controller
Suspension rebuild/refresh

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Man you are going balls deep in this stuff, good luck!

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Nice on the sponsors!

Do you really want all short stacks though? That usually shifts the power to the right and usually takes a little away from the mid range grunt.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

I would do the ignition rotor. Don't mess with the power commander ignition module. They work half the time and sometimes go nuts. Lol. I have bought them before and have my fair share of problems. On one bike I had it the module die on me. So I had to take it out on the spot to ride home. On another bike it never worked right. It gave me check engine light codes and made my bike sound like a boxer engine. Stay away. You can ask around and a lot of people will tell you the same thing. If you want more power engine work or some good old mr12. Short stack might help. I would love to do some track racing but I am to nuts and uncontrolled for that stuff.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Thanks man! Super fun, huge adrenaline rush, and cheaper than cars.

Not all short or the same height, just shorter overall per the factory "race kit" spec.

Yeah the MR12, I may run it on the long course to help get me down those straights. Ha-ha.
Good input on the rotor versus ignition controller, I've seen similar feedback but have no first hand experience.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

Are you going to do prokart in the off season to stay sharp? Maybe some ice riding?

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

I've got an opportunity for some ice riding later this season with some fellow racers potentially. I may attend a pro-kart session when they have that "bring a friend" thing.

I picked up a doodlebug that'll get a 5hp motor on it. If I get really bored I'll stud the tires and fuck around on the ice with that little thing, it does like maybe 40mph with the motor swap but keeps me bombing around on 2 wheels, and promotes proper body position to corner as well it has 2" of ground clearance.

Just working on diet and gym 3+ days a week to try to get into better shape currently.

Re: Swanny's new ride: 2003 Kawasaki ZX6RR
 

It has been a while but I've made progress on the bike and myself. I still have roughly 17-30lbs (17 minimum, 30 ultimately) to go in weight loss prior to the season start, I'll probably be close by May and then continue on the journey throughout the season. The bike has made better progress:

Kawasaki OEM velocity stacks (shorter) are installed
Factory Pro ignition advance rotor is in.

Remaining modifications for power:

PowerCommander (ordering in a few weeks) and tune (March hopefully).

Then I haven't decided how much I want to invest in suspension as funds are getting tight. The stock suspension last year wasn't a 100% setback, I may get springs on there and do a quick fork rebuild prior to season start.

I just dropped it off at IMS last night to be in the ZeroGravity booth as part of a display representing local race bikes. Those are the attached pictures, feel free to check it out at IMS this weekend.

Sponsors/Discount providers for this season:

• Autoworks Collision Center of Rockford, MN (Body work. I highly recommended for your personal car needs)
  
• Bel-Ray Oil & Lubricants (Fluids)
  
• Axo Racing (Gear - TBA on when I'll order a suit as I am losing weight still and want it to fit properly, I'll have the boots and gloves to start the season)
  
• Engine Ice (Coolant Mixture)
  
• Ryno Power (Supplements)

and a few others with discounts that don't really pertain to this group on some new potential brake pads (not sure yet, really like my EBC track pads), trailer equipment, and misc other items such as action camera, etc...