ZX7R - More HP required

[Naked Twin]

After my first outing on the 7 I found that the more modern 600s were able to pull away from me in a straight line - I have a 96 ZX7R. to the best of my knowledge it is stock standard apart from a smaller sprocket on the front. What is a cheap and easy way to get some more HP out of it.

I found I could out brake them, corner speed was better but they had that bit more at the top end which meant either trying to go round the outside or diving hard up the inside under brakes.

I should add that as I am still learning this bike I found that I was not getting on the throttle as early as I know I can (this is due to my last two bikes either spinning the rear up on standing on the back wheel, of which I enjoyed neither that much)

Nick

[MadKaw]

A full exhaust and jet kit can you get you about 10 hp..
an ignition advancer will give it a bit more throttle response and help mid to high end power a little.

Take the mesh out from the back of the air filter to help it breath a little better..
or
If its a track bike a BMC race filter will help.. I wouldn't bother with K&N.

A quick action throttle is always handy at the track too..

Make sure your suspension is sorted, its worth more in lap times than a few extra HP

[mattyv74]

Hmmm... se PM, or just read Dave's response. same same really. Go the 7

[Lone Wolf]

Put a 9 motor in it

[zx7r boy]

hi
ive owned 2 zx7r and i love them. i highly reccomend change the gearing i have a 1 less tooth on the front and go up 2 on the back to a 45 sprocket, you wont believe the difference how much more acceleration it will give you, downside is you will lose a little bit of top end speed but who cares?? my first had a full ex, jet kit,filter,carbon air intakes and made 118rwhp. i loved that bike, but i wasnt happy with the midrange, my 96 zx7r has a bolt on exhaust ,filter, and changed sprocket sizes and i love the power on this one heaps better than my first one. ive never really had any problems beating modern 600s in a straight line. NOt that i would race on the road oh no!

[zx7r boy]

Also another thing with the zx7r dont be afraid to snap open the throttle you will have instant thrust forward no wheel spinning at all or worrying about keeping the front end down just instant go. Use it to your advantage, ive raced bikes which should beat me but there tring to keep the front end down, GO THE ZX7R

[Slow and wobbly]

Is this a track or street bike?
Chasing HP is an elimination thing before addition. Whilst what they said is relevant, there are several things that should be considered first off.
1. Chain and sprocket - if completely shagged can cost up to 10 HP
2. Carb synch and condition - can cause up to 25% reduction
3. Spark Plugs - Well depending on condition can cause up to 100% reduction
4. Valve clearance - as per point 3
5. Clutch slip - anyones guess
6. Engine condition - Age does weary them

As a final note. If it's a street ridden bike I would not recommend ignition advance as this can cause pre det in the lower revs and result in greater engine wear. Thus less HP and more $.

[Slow and wobbly]

I don't mean to give all doom and gloom. There was a Blue ZX7 last year in the interclub series racing pre-modern, under 1000cc that was an absolute animal. Isn't that right Greg? Simmo?
There hasn't been another bike I have seen at Broadford lifting the front wheel down the back before the left-right other than this thing. The damn thing was like a 10yo kid on red cordial! Just wouldn't sit down and behave!
Would give credit if I could remember the riders name

[r1_forever]

Stop chasing HP and start chasing corner speed.

No amout of Hp will make up for rider skills mid corner on the street.

I owned a ZX7R and they are simply not a match for the current crop of 600's, let alone the litre bike class.

What you'de spend on the bike trying to upgrade it, you would be better off selling it and buying a new 600.

[matt76]

There would be a significant weight difference between your ZX7 and the new 600's, that will see then pull away easily regardless of a few more hp

[zx7r boy]

Zx7r no match for current 600s??? lets not forget the 7r is still a 11.1 sec bike, its about power delivery, around a track the 600s will be easier to throw around being lighter, so they should there 12 years newer technology, my friend has a 07 cbr6 and the 7r is a bit quicker i find all the time,ill beat him by half to a bike lenghth in a race, ive ridden it and its light like a rgv250, it feels gutless compared to the zx7r you need to ring the600s necks to get them going! If your going to keep the zx7r you can get so many race part for them, youll get more hp than you could get out of any 600, the zx7r where so under developed, minor mods give you so much difference compared to other bikes. or if you want to cheat a bit drop a zx9r 94-97 motor in it! just my 2 cents

[Kwak addict]

There was a Blue ZX7 last year in the interclub series racing pre-modern, under 1000cc that was an absolute animal.
There hasn't been another bike I have seen at Broadford lifting the front wheel down the back before the left-right other than this thing. The damn thing was like a 10yo kid on red cordial! Just wouldn't sit down and behave!
Would give credit if I could remember the riders name

That's Donny Biddle's bike, it's an ex F.I.M. spec World Superbike. It's ultra light & full of ALL the trick gear (Ohlins forks & shock, adjustable suspension linkages & magnesium triple clamps, fabricated swingarm, magnesium Brembos, titanium, carbon fibre & kevlar everywhere, etc, etc) & he's not afraid of throwing more $peed tickets at it in the quest for even more power, at the end of last season he bought a set of titanium conrods for it to put in over the off season - like it didn't have enough punch already
It's hard racing against a wallet like his It does make me want to try extra hard to beat him though

[Naked Twin]

Thanks for the input so far. At this stage the bike is only to be used on the track (I want to sell it as a road bike when I update in th future so want to leave it close to road spec or at least easy to convert back).

It only has 29,000 klms on it and to look at is in immaculate condition, engine wear wise it is probably only just run in . It has new chain and sprockets, front and rear have been geared lower can not remember by what as it was not done by me. My first outing on the bike was at Wakefield Park that is fairly tight so overtaking is a little difficult (well for me it was as going around the outside it not possible on some corners) Corner speed was not the problem I was scraping the pegs and for the first time ever took the front tyre to the edge (well actually that was the problem I could go faster into and through the corners but there was often a slower bike).

On reading some of what was said and looking back I was definitely timid getting on the throttle coming out of corners, that is because my last track bike was a GSXR1000 that liked standing on one wheel or spinning up the rear (my previous bike to this was an SV1000 that also liked to tear up the rear). So heading to EC this weekend, I have taken out the mesh from the filter. Should be a bit easier to get on the throttle earlier (just need to convince the head). See how that goes. Next step will be the ignition advance, though I am in two minds about that.

Thanks so far

Nick

[MadKaw]

The ignition advancer will work best with other mods like a pipe and jet kit..
Not really worth it on a stock motor as it mayl need rejetting.

[Naked Twin]

Well happy to say and getting on the throttle earlier made a huge difference. Taking the mesh out seemed to give it more stick in a straight line (well at least in my head).

I was able to get under 1.54s, not sure exactly how much under as I was going faster then the guy who was doing 1.55 - 1.55

Pretty happy with that, just need to upgrade the brake lines and another second or will come.

Thanks for the help.

Nick