Machined sprocket carrier on the left, stock on the
right – notice the
black
rim on the machined carrier – that was the
sprocket mounting
area before machining.
STEP 4: Address the details
Below is a list
of little items that will come up during the
install, you can handle these as you see fit but
remember
the details need to be addressed and
focused on, usually the slightest
thing will be the thing
that causes the most catastrophic results.
Ride Height
If you utilize the FZ linkage (from swingarm to
shock) and a FOX shock with the height
adjustment at it’s max, then you should be
at
about the same level as stock. DO NOT use the
RZ linkage unless you shorten it considerable,
your bike will be too low. Since I weigh in at
around 240 pounds, I knew I needed an
aftermarket shock – no doubt about it. I also did
not feel
comfortable cutting and welding the
linkage to make it shorter.
Just think
of the tragic scenario that follows if the
linkage
breaks.
Shock Linkage mounted Chain slider/guide
On the stock RZ (at least on my 86) there is a hard
white plastic chain slider bolted to the relay arm
on
the chain side (of course!!). The micro-fiche calls
it
a chain
guide and this is item 33 on the swing arm
micro-fiche for 84/85 US models and item 32 on the
86 micro-fiche. There is not provision for this on the
FZ linkage. I had my
machinist drill and tap the linkage
for the stock 6 mm bolt. The FZ relay arms are a bit
wider than the RZs so out came the Dremel tool to open
up the mating surface in the plastic slider. This plastic
slider
basically acts as the lower limit for chain travel
– the chain rides between it and the underside of the
swingarm and in my case kept the chain from rubbing
the bulge in the expansion chamber (which is a good
thing!!)
I recently bought a roller that is used on dirt bikes
for the
same purpose as our stationary
plastic slider. It basically
looks like a small skateboard wheel and it has a sealed
bearing and would roll with the movement of the chain
rather than being stationary like the stock white
plastic
piece offering less resistance
and probably less wear
on the chain. The only issue is that this one had an 8
mm bolt and the stock in the linkage was 6 mm.
