Rear suspension link

mwirrick · January 6th, 2014, 07:35 PM

Question about the rear suspension link--that link that connects the dog bones to the shock to the frame. I have a 2008 which has a plate steel link. Later models are cast out of aluminum. Does anyone know if there is any difference in weight or rigidity? Such later model parts are cheap on E-bay and any weight savings would be great. Thanks.

alex.s · January 6th, 2014, 08:37 PM

the aluminum one is lighter by a few hundred grams. the info is in a thread somewhere. i doubt there is a meaningful difference in strength. if you're going to take the effort maybe you could find one that is machined aluminum that is even lighter? i use an r1 knuckle which is basically just two small aluminum plates. seems a lot lighter than the stock knuckle but i couldn't tell you how much it weighs. i'm sure if you spent enough you could have your own custom one made or even cast that weighs less than the stock one

Alex · January 6th, 2014, 09:06 PM

Some info in this thread about that weight:

http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?p=650526

csmith12 · January 6th, 2014, 09:22 PM

Hey hey Mike! Hope you holidays were good. Let's race!

Tell Elliot, I said hi too. He should have that little one by now right?

DCMoney · January 7th, 2014, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by csmith12

Hey hey Mike! Hope you holidays were good. Let's race!

Tell Elliot, I said hi too. He should have that little one by now right?

Yeah he had a little girl back in December (I think December).

Mike I bought the lighter one and was kind of shocked it was still has heavy as it was, haven't taken the `08 one off yet to compare the weights.

Unless its a significant weight difference I wont be buying a second for the B bike.

mwirrick · January 7th, 2014, 09:48 PM

Thanks for the responses, everyone. I think the weight difference may not be worth it. If it were a couple of pounds, maybe, but less than a pound, probably not worth the effort. Had to ask. Now back to the hanging carb issue.

Hey Chris. Hope to see you on track soon.

MW

csmith12 · January 8th, 2014, 05:43 AM

Sure will Mike! Planning on doing all the MCRA 250 races. Maybe you can show me around gateway.

January 6th, 2014, 07:35 PM	#1
mwirrick ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Ofallon, MO Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250, Concours, 2009 FZ1, 2007 BMW G650X Challenge, 1997 Ducati 900SS, SP Posts: 36	Rear suspension link Question about the rear suspension link--that link that connects the dog bones to the shock to the frame. I have a 2008 which has a plate steel link. Later models are cast out of aluminum. Does anyone know if there is any difference in weight or rigidity? Such later model parts are cheap on E-bay and any weight savings would be great. Thanks. __________________________________________________ Mike -Less is More Racing, Inc.

January 6th, 2014, 08:37 PM	#2
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	the aluminum one is lighter by a few hundred grams. the info is in a thread somewhere. i doubt there is a meaningful difference in strength. if you're going to take the effort maybe you could find one that is machined aluminum that is even lighter? i use an r1 knuckle which is basically just two small aluminum plates. seems a lot lighter than the stock knuckle but i couldn't tell you how much it weighs. i'm sure if you spent enough you could have your own custom one made or even cast that weighs less than the stock one __________________________________________________

January 6th, 2014, 09:06 PM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Some info in this thread about that weight: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?p=650526 __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

January 6th, 2014, 09:22 PM	#4
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Hey hey Mike! Hope you holidays were good. Let's race! Tell Elliot, I said hi too. He should have that little one by now right? __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

January 7th, 2014, 09:48 PM	#6
mwirrick ninjette.org member Name: Mike Location: Ofallon, MO Join Date: Oct 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250, Concours, 2009 FZ1, 2007 BMW G650X Challenge, 1997 Ducati 900SS, SP Posts: 36	Thanks for the responses, everyone. I think the weight difference may not be worth it. If it were a couple of pounds, maybe, but less than a pound, probably not worth the effort. Had to ask. Now back to the hanging carb issue. Hey Chris. Hope to see you on track soon. MW __________________________________________________ Mike -Less is More Racing, Inc.

January 8th, 2014, 05:43 AM	#7
csmith12 The Corner Whisperer Name: Chris (aka Reactor) Location: Northern KY Join Date: May 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 (track), 1992 250, 2006 R6 (street/track), 2008 R6 (track) Posts: Too much. MOTY 2015, MOTM - Nov '12, Nov '13	Sure will Mike! Planning on doing all the MCRA 250 races. Maybe you can show me around gateway. __________________________________________________ Goal: Shake A Million Hands \| Look through the corners \| Track Day Prep \| Closest track? \| The Mid-Ohio School

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