With a dry weight of 203.4 kg and a wet weight 227 kg, this model of ZX7R is far from being a lightweight machine. Of all the bikes I will be up against I doubt any are this heavy in stock trim. If I want to be competitive, then bike needs to lose some weight.

The standard wheels, swingarm and forks are all very heavy on the ZX7R, and because it’s all rotating mass and un-sprung weight, it’s the best place to start losing it.

So I’ve fitted a lighter swingarm, forks, wheels and brakes. None of this was a direct fit and it took lots of research, advice and much head-scratching, but we got there in the end. I am very happy with the results.