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Versys (aluminum) swingarm swap to 650R

95K views 107 replies 37 participants last post by  baz666 
#1 ·
Has anyone sucessfully swapped a Versys swingarm to a 650R? I saw one thread where someone says it's possible, but has anyone actually done it? I've looked over the diagram for the swingarm, and most of the parts are the same between the two, except the chain guard and chain adjusters.

Also, does anyone know the compressed and expanded overall lengths of the 650R, ER-6n and Verysys shocks?

Thanks!


Green indicates same part on 650R. Pink is parts I would need. This, of course, doesn't cover other potential issues like rear brake.
 
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#5 ·
few people have done this if you check some of the other forums.

Can't remember exactly, but the Versys shock is a touch longer than the ER-6 unit and raises the seat height by about an inch.

I don't think either mod offers any great advantage over stock, except for the too soft spring on the ER-6.

Rob
 
#6 ·
I'll be putting a Versys swingarm on my ER6n "RR" next week. Reasons are to cut weight and make the rear more rigid as the stock steel swingarm flexes under heavy acceleration through corners. I may purchase a longer shock to raise the rear as well. Will try with the YSS shock first and see how that goes.
Will post up pics and a review once the new swingarm is installed and I've had a chance to test it at the track.
Ride On!
Tony
 
#12 ·
IMO the ER6n is a great cheap bike for track, stunting, and city riding. I personally don't think the Versys or the ER6n are going to win any beauty contests while the 650R is a fine looking machine.
Best suspension and comfort goes to the Versys hands down no contest. With it's lower gearing the Versys is quite the wheelie machine too!

The Versys is my new touring bike and the ER6n "RR" will remain a track toy.

The Versys, despite it's odd looks and name continues to receive rave reviews. Take one for a spin if you ever get the chance- I know you'll be impressed.


Here's a vid I took yesterday on my Versys-


The Ninja 650R was sexier, but the suspension, comfort and handling of the Versys is far superior.

Ride On!

Tony
 
#14 ·
Next mod- Versys swingarm on ER6n!


Hope to have it ready to roll for the Kawasaki Track Day at BIRA Circuit on December 18th.


See you there!

Tony
 
#19 ·
Hey!
The ER6n isn't my only bike and I like to tour just as much as I like to race! LOLZ! :D
I just spent 5 days touring LAOS on my Versys-

Now back in Thailand. Will ride back to Bangkok tomorrow.
I'll be racing the ER6n on Saturday so I don't think I'll have time to get the Versys swingarm installed before then. (Pretty sure I'll need to have a longer rear brake line made up for the new swingarm- getting it all done in a day will be pushing my luck I think). It'll have to wait until next week.
Ride On!
Tony
 
#20 ·
wow nice please post some pix if you've installed the versys swing arm... so i could order it also asap... im modding my bike for track now and for extra comfort...

stock suspension needs improvement.. do some comments on the new thread that ive started i need track riders input.. thanx....

now you've got all the models, man you're crazy tony but in a good way! hehehe
kawasaki should give you an award for being so loyal to them... :)
 
#22 ·
@riverbikes bro, if its ok pls put some more pix of your swing arm conversion..
nice job ung ur bike by the way.. im thinking of this mods
post the items that need to be bought for this and what are re used in the stock parts...

and what changes have you felt in the bike after changing it? thanx!
 
#28 ·
FINALLY got around to installing the Versys Swingarm on my ER6n-


Was a bit more work than I expected on account of the terrible condition of the ER6n's Swingarm shaft, sleeve and bearings.

First thing to do was cut the old chain-


Remove rear wheel and rear brake line and caliper and detach shock from swingarm-


Next step is to remove the Swingarm shaft and swingarm. Bolt came off no problem but the damn shaft wouldn't budge. Finally managed to hammer it loose and this is what I saw:


Quite badly corroded... The shaft and sleeve had rusted together.

This is a 2009 model ER6n! It only had about 9000km on the clock when I bought it.

The service manual does not call for periodic inspection or lubrication of these parts.

In fact the service manual says:

"Swingarm Bearing Lubrication
NOTE ○Since the bearings are packed with grease and sealed, lubrication is not required."...

I wonder if it was just a bad seal on my bike or if this is something that everyone should check...

The swing arm shaft:


The swingarm sleeve and seal-


On the right side the collar and bearing were corroded:


Removed the RH seal-


to reveal the circlip and bearing under the collar:


A bit of a mess. The swingarm was starting to rust and the ball bearing and needle bearing were contaminated-





So, off to Kawasaki to get all new parts for the Versys swingarm:

swing arm shaft and 20mm nut
swing arm sleeve
42 mm circlip
1 ball bearing
3 needle bearings
2 oil seals
collar

Needed to visit Kawasaki as a special tool is required to install the needle bearings-


Discovered when I went to install the Versys swingarm that it's wider than the ER6n swingarm and does not clear the right rearset, so I'll need to install some spacers.

Can't wait to try it out and will certainly let you know how it goes.

Let the Good Times ROLL!

Tony
 
#29 ·
Oh, and fwiw the ER6n/Ninja 650r steel swing arm weighs about 6.1Kg


The Versys aluminum swingarm weighs in at about 4.9Kg


Let the Good Times ROLL! :D

Tony
 
#33 ·
Got her put back together and the right rearset spaced to clear the swingarm.


New chain and sprockets and she'll be ready to roll!
 
#34 ·
wow, if the swingarm was painted to match your frame it would look like the bike came with it from the factory! You'll have to tell us how it performs once you get it out and ride it some. How large were the spacers that you used on the right rearset and do you think it was due to the design of the aftermarket rearsets and do you think the stock rearsets would also require a spacer? Awesome work though Tony!
 
#35 ·
Thanks bro :D

I only had to space the rearset out about a quarter of an inch. It's the rear brake master cylinder that is bolted to the rearset that gets in the way of the Versys swingarm.

Don't know if I'd have the same clearance issue with stock stays. I don't have my stock stays anymore so can't check...

I wonder if the stock Versys stays will bolt right on to the ER6n / Ninja 650R... They're a lot smaller and lighter than the ER6n / Ninja 650R stays. Hmmm, something to ponder :)

Ride On!

Tony
 
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#40 ·
When I have some free time I'll try taking the stays off my Versys and mounting them on my ER6n to see if they fit.


Will keep you posted!

T
 
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