Ninja 400 Race Questions (Willing to trade for info)

Thank you @DmanSlam , your kindness in following up is very appreciated!!

My hunch is that there are 2 categories here, Dropin (Ohlins/Andreani) and Some Machining Required (Ktech/Nitron)

I think I'm going to record a video about the install when I do it and post back here with the results, so others will know definitively in the future what to expect.

You know what would be so killer, for the cartridge manufacturers to put up their own install videos. We're a bit beyond being limited to distributing paper instructions in this day and age..

 

Re your last statement, I totally agree. There's existing YouTube channels for that, thankfully. You should publish your video there too since, I believe, the beeb will 'delete' your video after some time (to free up storage, I guess). Your post will remain though.

 

I have had a budget track '18 N4 since 2019. Look at TYGA bodywork. I THINK they allow lower clip-0ns. Not sure if MA approved. I bought Moto Ricambi bodywork and had major issues with the belly pan. Everything else lined up perfectly but the belly pan was an issue. Knuckle clearance issues. Not many panels though which is what I was looking for. Norton re-flash. MWR filter and bought an airbox off eBay and pulled a shorty V stock out. Removed the snorkels. GSXR shock with older '07 spring. SPears upper shock mount. .80 & .85 K-Tech springs up front (per K-Tech rep) and preload caps. I honestly haven't touched the suspension in 3 years.

Oh buy all the clutch etc... upgrade products from Norton or Spears. I did and rarely have any issues with my gear box. The N4 seems to have ALOT less 'feel' from the clutch and gearbox compared to my GSX-R 750.

Ninja400riders forum has alot of info. My build is on that site plus many other MA builds I expect.

 

@Lopsided did your Nitron cartridges end up requiring machining to install? Thanks!

 

Yes it is the same process as Brian "STG" Van shows in the Ketch video on YouTube.

Great kit, recommended for sure.

Sadly I did not record any video as I have never done that for any install yet. Maybe one day.

 

My biggest question with the K-tech/GP Racing cartridge install was that "machining" bit because he breezes through it without a decent close up. Just jump in, you'll figure it out.

I set the end on my belt sander and rotated the tube. Also easy to just grind it off with a flap disk on a 4 1/2" grinder, I see no need to set it up in a lathe.

The trick is this. You are removing the bottoming spring assembly out of the tube. I don't know how Ohlins avoids this? But I like the weight gone (even though it is sprung weight) . The bottoming thing is installed at the factory and then the tube is rounded over at the end to hold it in place. All you need to do is grind the thickness of the rolled tube away at the end. Don't grind any further to the groove you see there, it's just 'the THICKNESS of the metal'. Then use a socket about the ID of the tube and a long extension to drive out the bottoming assembly. Put a rag over the end because that shit will fly out of there. Then neatly dress the edge thats left to get rid of the sharp edge.

I did 4 of them and it was still too easy to stop and take pics.

 

They just make cartridge different, with thin extension on bottom to not interfere with tube.
And that is not bottoming spring, it is top out spring. It controls extension. Cartridges have it internally so no need for stock one.

 

Ya, sorry I meant the top... bottoming out. I dum.

Anyway, it's heavy and unnecesary with cartridges. I'm happy to have them out of such a lightweight bike.

 

I've been doing some cursory searches, but have yet to find any rear-sets with more adjustability / mounting options that the two-position Woodcraft set.
Curious of the best Pit-Bull compatible rear stand spools also.
Beginning a track-day build for an older gal, my wife. Not going too overboard. This is on a new 500, but virtually the same as her 400, other than being a SE / 40th Anniversary Edition.

 

What about the Vortex rearsets? What position are you looking for that the Woodcrafts aren't doing?

 

Let me look at mine. I have spider rearsets on my 400

 

I was hoping to find Vortex rearsets like the RS422 for the EX300. The RS433 isn't a similar design, unfortunately. Looking for a set that allows trying different positions to figure out what works best.
Edit:
I just found Bonamici Racing rearsets that look like they are what I had in mind. Been out of this game for a long time, so rusty finding current products. Can anyone share their experience dealing with HHR Performance with me?

@Shenanigans the Spider look like great options also; thanks! Where did you purchase yours?

Sometimes my 'search skills' are lacking. Found plenty to keep me busy now.
Thank you, both!

 

HSBK