Why you shouldn't leave your Swingarms Spools on

Redgeneral · August 8th, 2013, 06:48 AM

So I figured I would pass on a tidbit of information so no one else learns this lesson the hard way as I have.

I left my swingarm spools on thinking it wouldn't be an issue. I was out for a ride and must've hit a hole or bump big enough to almost bottom out the rear suspension. The right side spool made contact with the bottom of the stock exhaust and broke the welds holding the spool mount. This wouldn't have been an issue, but the weld took some of the swingarm with it.

I'm not sure if this will affect any 250 owners as the exhaust hangs much higher, but I think the 300's exhaust is very similarly placed to this bike. Either way it's always good to know. Learn from my mistakes.

This was on a 2011 ZX-6R.

BlueJeepYJ · August 8th, 2013, 06:57 AM

WOW

Thats crazy! Does the ZX-6R owners manual tell you not to leave the swing arm spools in during riding? If not and that was caused during "normal" riding, I would be filing a claim with Kawasaki ASAP! That's some pretty serious damage!

Good Luck!

Nemesis · August 8th, 2013, 06:59 AM

Bones85 · August 8th, 2013, 07:00 AM

Hopefully this isn't an issue for the 250's. My spools have been on my bike for over a year now

Haven't had any problems yet though.

Alex · August 8th, 2013, 07:09 AM

This has been an issue on new-gen 250's that have been lowered, but I've never heard of an issue on a non-lowered bike. Is your ZX-6R at stock height?

ninjamunky85 · August 8th, 2013, 07:21 AM

Wow, that sucks. No problems so far with my 300.

GHill762 · August 8th, 2013, 08:07 AM

spool instructions recommend thread-loc.. they are meant to be left in.. like asked above, is your bike lowered? I don't think it's possible for mine to touch, my swingarm would have to come up really high.. the tire would rub the undertail first...

rojoracing53 · August 8th, 2013, 08:16 AM

Needs a title change to "Why you shouldn't leave your stock exhuast on"

NathanUc · August 8th, 2013, 10:44 AM

I really think it must have been a lowered zx6r or have a very VERY poorly setup suspension.

I did some tests on mine and the 2013 zx6r spools didn't come close to hitting the exhaust. I know the 2013 is different, but I am fairly certain the exhaust/swing arms are identical.

Note: I have aftermarket (proper) exhaust, but I marked on the swing arm were the stock should sit. There was at least inches of clearance.

Redgeneral · August 8th, 2013, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rojoracing53

Needs a title change to "Why you shouldn't leave your stock exhuast on"

Couldn't agree more.

That being said. This bike is not lowered. The suspension is set to factory settings (I know, i know....I've been meaning to set this up properly) and I'm not a huge guy (weighing in 165lbs).

The owner's manual does not say to take spools off, but then again is never says to put spools on either. Since there's no such thing as 'Kawasaki spools' these are considered an aftermarket part, and therefore 'use at own risk'.

This is not a case of Kawasaki being wrong in any way. So there's no finger pointing. It is a case of warning people to pay attention to even these little things. I had left these spools on the bike never even considering that this could happen.

I'm just hoping to educate, and maybe someone else can avoid making my mistakes.

adouglas · August 8th, 2013, 12:46 PM

Sounds like the biggest mistake was hitting a honkin' HUGE bump. It takes a lot to reach bottom on any bike that isn't suffering from terminally poor setup.

Redgeneral · August 8th, 2013, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GHill762

spool instructions recommend thread-loc.. they are meant to be left in.. like asked above, is your bike lowered? I don't think it's possible for mine to touch, my swingarm would have to come up really high.. the tire would rub the undertail first...

From now on I will either be only putting in spools to lift the bike up for maintenance/washing etc then taking them out. Or picking up a rear stand that lifts with paddles from the bottom of the swingarm.

Those spools are not there for any kind of crash resistance, they are so precariously welded on that they wouldn't withstand a crash very well. They're basically just tack welded on.

Redgeneral · August 8th, 2013, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adouglas

Sounds like the biggest mistake was hitting a honkin' HUGE bump. It takes a lot to reach bottom on any bike that isn't suffering from terminally poor setup.

Agreed 100%.

Alex · August 8th, 2013, 12:54 PM

Weird. I'm not a small guy, and have had spools on every sportbike I've ever owned, and never ran into any clearance issues. I'm very surprised Kawi would design it such that there would be interference, even at full suspension compression. I also wonder how hitting the exhaust could provide enough force to rip a chunk of metal out of the swingarm. In the cases where spools have hit exhausts that I have seen, it puts a ding in the exhaust, which bends easily. To cause the damage you're showing, it seems like it would take a very large amount of force. It looks more likely that the spool hit something stationary itself rather than just contacting the exhaust.

How large is the outside diameter of the spools that you had mounted to the bke?

c-dog · August 8th, 2013, 01:25 PM

Yikes! I have to check my 2011 ZX6R out. I have spools on it, and I haven't changed out the stock exhaust.

I bet that swing arm is one expensive part! Probably like $1000?

Redgeneral · August 9th, 2013, 05:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c-dog

Yikes! I have to check my 2011 ZX6R out. I have spools on it, and I haven't changed out the stock exhaust.

I bet that swing arm is one expensive part! Probably like $1000?

They can actually be found for ~$150 on ebay.

Live2ride · August 9th, 2013, 05:40 AM

Pics of the spool you used?

thisisbenji · August 9th, 2013, 06:54 AM

I'd be pissed. If it was my bike I would try to get a hold of Kawasaki and see what they say. It doesn't seem like something that should have happened.

fishdip · August 9th, 2013, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Weird. I'm not a small guy, and have had spools on every sportbike I've ever owned, and never ran into any clearance issues. I'm very surprised Kawi would design it such that there would be interference, even at full suspension compression. I also wonder how hitting the exhaust could provide enough force to rip a chunk of metal out of the swingarm. In the cases where spools have hit exhausts that I have seen, it puts a ding in the exhaust, which bends easily. To cause the damage you're showing, it seems like it would take a very large amount of force. It looks more likely that the spool hit something stationary itself rather than just contacting the exhaust.

How large is the outside diameter of the spools that you had mounted to the bke?

The weld was crap if you look it has no penetration in to the base material if I was you id take it to a dealer.

Bentley813 · August 9th, 2013, 07:37 AM

Wait, your muffler caused the reinforced spool bracket to break off? Seems like it would have went through your exhaust before something like that happened.

lgk · August 9th, 2013, 07:46 AM

I agree with everyone...

It must have hit something else,
because if it couldn't withstand a love tap with a muffler, it probably isnt strong enough to hold the bike safely...

Aggrotech · August 9th, 2013, 08:18 AM

i bought some sexy red swingarm spools to match everything else and attached them with some noice blue lock tight guess i dun goofed D:

massacremasses · August 9th, 2013, 10:29 AM

I hope mine wont ever hit my exhaust...

tehehehe

MR2Aaron · August 9th, 2013, 10:40 AM

Something I haven't seen mentioned, but could be a factor, is damage to the exhaust.

I have a ninja 250 and 500 that have both been knocked over. When this happens, it seems to have a tendency to Ben the mufflers inward, fairly significantly in the case of the 500. On the 250, it actually brought the muffler into contact with the swingarm. Could this be the case here, where the OP's exhaust was bent inward enough to cause interference?

Redgeneral · August 9th, 2013, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bentley813

Wait, your muffler caused the reinforced spool bracket to break off? Seems like it would have went through your exhaust before something like that happened.

Haha, you think the brackets are reinforced? Take a good look at yours. They are simply tack welded onto the swingarm. It's enough to hold the weight of the bike on spools, but any impact can and will shear them off. The more I researched my issue, the more I found that losing those spool brackets is pretty common. Mostly in crashes or high speed slides.

The bike has ~3500km on it. I'm the only owner (bought it with 2kms on the clock) and it has never been down.

Redgeneral · August 9th, 2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishdip

The weld was crap if you look it has no penetration in to the base material if I was you id take it to a dealer.

Would you rather lose a spool mount? Or have it rip your swingarm apart?

I'd rather lose the mount than have to replace my swingarm.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aggrotech

i bought some sexy red swingarm spools to match everything else and attached them with some noice blue lock tight guess i dun goofed D:

There's no guarantee anything bad will happen. I had spools on my 2009 250 and nothing bad ever happened to it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lgk

I agree with everyone...

It must have hit something else,
because if it couldn't withstand a love tap with a muffler, it probably isnt strong enough to hold the bike safely...

Definitely was not a 'love tap' as there is a decent sized dent in the bottom of the muffler

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisbenji

I'd be pissed. If it was my bike I would try to get a hold of Kawasaki and see what they say. It doesn't seem like something that should have happened.

Trust me, I'm not a happy camper...but this was caused by something I did. The damage was cause by an aftermarket part.

I already know the cause of the damage, no one needs to speculate how it happened. I only made this thread hoping to make people aware that this is a possibility as I had never considered something like this could happen.

fishdip · August 9th, 2013, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redgeneral

Would you rather lose a spool mount? Or have it rip your swingarm apart?

I'd rather lose the mount than have to replace my swingarm.

Id rather have welds done right.

lgk · August 9th, 2013, 11:50 AM

When i crashed my 250 it bent the bolt but the swing arm mount suffered no damage.

Maybe this happens more with aluminum swingarms.

Alex · August 9th, 2013, 11:59 AM

/thread closed at OP's request

August 8th, 2013, 06:57 AM	#2
BlueJeepYJ Lets go ride! Name: Jeff Location: Kennesaw, GA Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): Ninja 650 Posts: 234	WOW Thats crazy! Does the ZX-6R owners manual tell you not to leave the swing arm spools in during riding? If not and that was caused during "normal" riding, I would be filing a claim with Kawasaki ASAP! That's some pretty serious damage! Good Luck! __________________________________________________ In the Atlanta/ North Georgia Area? Join the North Georgia Riders! www.northgariders.com

August 8th, 2013, 06:59 AM	#3
Nemesis CVMA #74 WSMC #750 Name: Nemesis Location: On the track Join Date: Oct 2009 Motorcycle(s): All of them Posts: A lot.	__________________________________________________

August 8th, 2013, 07:09 AM	#5
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	This has been an issue on new-gen 250's that have been lowered, but I've never heard of an issue on a non-lowered bike. Is your ZX-6R at stock height? __________________________________________________ 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)

August 8th, 2013, 07:21 AM	#6
ninjamunky85 Que Buenos Son!!! Name: Ryan Location: Grovetucky, OH Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia Shiver 750, Husaberg FE 450, Ninja 300 (sold), xr100 Posts: A lot. MOTM - Nov '14	Wow, that sucks. No problems so far with my 300. __________________________________________________ Don't do something because it's easy,.. Do it because it's not! If you aren't going forward, then you're falling behind. "Drive it like you stole it"!!!

August 8th, 2013, 08:16 AM	#8
rojoracing53 Fast-Guy wannabe Name: Jason Location: Brentwood, Ca Join Date: Oct 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja250, 2011 RM-Z250, 2004 NSR50, Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jan '13	Needs a title change to "Why you shouldn't leave your stock exhuast on"
	2 out of 2 members found this post helpful.

August 8th, 2013, 07:00 AM	#4
Bones85 ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: Florida Join Date: Jan 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: 206	Hopefully this isn't an issue for the 250's. My spools have been on my bike for over a year now Haven't had any problems yet though.

August 8th, 2013, 08:07 AM	#7
GHill762 ninjette.org member Name: Garrett Location: Illinois - Midwest USA Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): ZX-3R (ok, ex300) Posts: 160	spool instructions recommend thread-loc.. they are meant to be left in.. like asked above, is your bike lowered? I don't think it's possible for mine to touch, my swingarm would have to come up really high.. the tire would rub the undertail first...

August 8th, 2013, 10:44 AM	#9
NathanUc B-Town Ninja Name: Nathan Location: Bloomington, IN Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): Black 2013 Ninja ZX6R ABS Posts: 609 Blog Entries: 3	I really think it must have been a lowered zx6r or have a very VERY poorly setup suspension. I did some tests on mine and the 2013 zx6r spools didn't come close to hitting the exhaust. I know the 2013 is different, but I am fairly certain the exhaust/swing arms are identical. Note: I have aftermarket (proper) exhaust, but I marked on the swing arm were the stock should sit. There was at least inches of clearance. __________________________________________________ Downgraded to a 2013 636. Previous owner of a 2010 250r --------------------------------- My moto-vlog YouTube channel http://www.youtube.com/bloomingtonninja

August 8th, 2013, 12:46 PM	#11
adouglas Cat herder Name: Gort Location: A secret lair which, being secret, has an undisclosed location Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): Aprilia RS660 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 6 MOTM - Jul '18, Nov '16, Aug '14, May '13	Sounds like the biggest mistake was hitting a honkin' HUGE bump. It takes a lot to reach bottom on any bike that isn't suffering from terminally poor setup. __________________________________________________ I am NOT an adrenaline junkie, I'm a skill junkie. - csmith12 Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est. Heri historia. Cras mysterium. Hodie donum est. Carpe diem.

August 8th, 2013, 12:54 PM	#14
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	Weird. I'm not a small guy, and have had spools on every sportbike I've ever owned, and never ran into any clearance issues. I'm very surprised Kawi would design it such that there would be interference, even at full suspension compression. I also wonder how hitting the exhaust could provide enough force to rip a chunk of metal out of the swingarm. In the cases where spools have hit exhausts that I have seen, it puts a ding in the exhaust, which bends easily. To cause the damage you're showing, it seems like it would take a very large amount of force. It looks more likely that the spool hit something stationary itself rather than just contacting the exhaust. How large is the outside diameter of the spools that you had mounted to the bke? __________________________________________________ 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)

August 8th, 2013, 01:25 PM	#15
c-dog ninjette.org sage Name: - Location: - Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): - Posts: 591	Yikes! I have to check my 2011 ZX6R out. I have spools on it, and I haven't changed out the stock exhaust. I bet that swing arm is one expensive part! Probably like $1000?

August 9th, 2013, 05:40 AM	#17
Live2ride ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Cody Location: NoVa Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 06 yzf r6r previously: 09 ninja 250r, black 07 zx6r Posts: A lot.	Pics of the spool you used? __________________________________________________

August 9th, 2013, 06:54 AM	#18
thisisbenji ninjette.org sage Name: Benji Location: Wadsworth, IL Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250r (Sold), 2009 FZ6, 2015 Honda Grom Posts: 898	I'd be pissed. If it was my bike I would try to get a hold of Kawasaki and see what they say. It doesn't seem like something that should have happened. __________________________________________________ My Old Bike My New Bike

August 9th, 2013, 07:37 AM	#20
Bentley813 ninjette.org member Name: Steve Location: Oswego, NY Join Date: Aug 2012 Motorcycle(s): 2013 White 300 Posts: 221	Wait, your muffler caused the reinforced spool bracket to break off? Seems like it would have went through your exhaust before something like that happened.

August 9th, 2013, 07:46 AM	#21
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	I agree with everyone... It must have hit something else, because if it couldn't withstand a love tap with a muffler, it probably isnt strong enough to hold the bike safely... __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

August 9th, 2013, 08:18 AM	#22
Aggrotech ninjette.org sage Name: Justin Location: Fresno CA Join Date: Jun 2012 Motorcycle(s): 12' Ninja 250 Posts: 831	i bought some sexy red swingarm spools to match everything else and attached them with some noice blue lock tight guess i dun goofed D:

August 9th, 2013, 10:29 AM	#23
massacremasses Avid Kitteh Poster Name: Justin Location: Norcal Join Date: Sep 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2006 Yamaha TTR 50 SUCK IT Posts: A lot.	I hope mine wont ever hit my exhaust... tehehehe __________________________________________________ I powdercoat stuff Help me pay for my addiction I say funny stuff. http://twitter.com/JustinPWNSyou sometimes... I write like a 12 year old too, http://justinpwnsyou.wordpress.com/

August 9th, 2013, 10:40 AM	#24
MR2Aaron ninjette.org member Name: Aaron Location: Pflugerville, TX Join Date: May 2013 Motorcycle(s): 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Posts: 154	Something I haven't seen mentioned, but could be a factor, is damage to the exhaust. I have a ninja 250 and 500 that have both been knocked over. When this happens, it seems to have a tendency to Ben the mufflers inward, fairly significantly in the case of the 500. On the 250, it actually brought the muffler into contact with the swingarm. Could this be the case here, where the OP's exhaust was bent inward enough to cause interference?

August 9th, 2013, 11:50 AM	#28
lgk ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Norfolk, VA Join Date: Dec 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2012 EX250, 2014 EX300 Posts: A lot.	When i crashed my 250 it bent the bolt but the swing arm mount suffered no damage. Maybe this happens more with aluminum swingarms. __________________________________________________ Ethioknight Memorial Fund- Sticker sale http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111700

August 9th, 2013, 11:59 AM	#29
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	/thread closed at OP's request __________________________________________________ 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)

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