Another benefit of Steve's cams.

[typhoon]

 I rode my bike today, after about 8 weeks of not riding (bad shoulder).
Anyway, I have been wondering for a while why I haven't been needing to use rear brake when slowing down for intersections, traffic flow, coming in to corners etc. I thought maybe I was using the jumbo front brakes more, but that wasn't it.
 This afternoon on the bike it hit me, Steve's cams and the reduced overlap increase cylinder pressures, which increases torque, and engine braking. Duh!
 It also explains why I've had a few self steering rear end moments when gearing down for corners and why the bike is much more "twitchy" on the throttle in traffic, where you are constantly on and off the throttle modulating speed. You do get used to it and modify your technique, but at first you think you've forgotten how to ride.
 I've gone from using rear brake to slow down pretty much all the way into an intersection to MAYBE using it once I am in second or first gear, creeping down to the line or modulating speed as I move off again.
 So, another bonus for these cams.

 Regards, Andrew.

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

Glad you like 'em Andrew. Mine still aren't in the bike; fall is a good time for me to do stuff like that, work and temp wise, so that's what I'm waiting for. They must work pretty well though, I did some roll ons with my bike at 1109cc's and Daytona Mikes at 1052cc, and in high gear /low rpm rolls we were basically dead even. I currently have stock zg cams in my bike.

  I have been thinking about having this grind done in a modified version as a stock zg cam replacement. It would have the same duration, but the lift would be reduced about .050" . This would allow it to be ground onto zg cams , and reduce some long term stresses to the valve train.  I will be speaking to the grinder about this just after I get back from vacation - Steve

[T Cro]

.... I will be speaking to the grinder about this just after I get back from vacation - Steve

Dang that reminds me..... I need to call the Grinder to check the status of my cams! Bet there finished and waiting on me to call... Oops

[Elvin315]

I rode my bike today, after about 8 weeks of not riding (bad shoulder).
Anyway, I have been wondering for a while why I haven't been needing to use rear brake when slowing down for intersections, traffic flow, coming in to corners etc. I thought maybe I was using the jumbo front brakes more, but that wasn't it.
 This afternoon on the bike it hit me, Steve's cams and the reduced overlap increase cylinder pressures, which increases torque, and engine braking. Duh!
 It also explains why I've had a few self steering rear end moments when gearing down for corners and why the bike is much more "twitchy" on the throttle in traffic, where you are constantly on and off the throttle modulating speed. You do get used to it and modify your technique, but at first you think you've forgotten how to ride.
 I've gone from using rear brake to slow down pretty much all the way into an intersection to MAYBE using it once I am in second or first gear, creeping down to the line or modulating speed as I move off again.
 So, another bonus for these cams.

 Regards, Andrew.

If you want to reduce the rear end "twitchiness" you can play with the slipper built into the clutch. It will allow the wheel to slip until it matches the engine speed. You lose some engine braking but if using Steve's cams it should put you back at the stock slip setting. The article doesn't mention the Concours but I've read that the 1st gen ZX engines had the same set-up. Since the ZG engine began as a ZX1000a engine it should have the slipper clutch too. I'll leave it to our resident engine builders to verify this. Gentlemen....................

[Steve in Sunny Fla]

Here ya go http://homepage.ntlworld.com/webzxr/zxr750r/Features/slipperclutch.html

 Actually a bunch of the kaws use the same slipper. Just to put a point to it's usefulness, i removed the slipper from shoodaben when i first built the new 1109. I replaced it with a turned down zx11 inner hub. after a few weeks, i went back to the slipper - it was obvious that I would kill myself on a downshift into a corner with the non - slipper. the engine braking was so high it would pretty easily lock the rear wheel if I wasn't careful - and I had gotten very NOT - careful from years of using the connies slipper. trust me, it's easy to take for granted til it's gone... Steve

[HaChayalBoded]

I rode my bike today, after about 8 weeks of not riding (bad shoulder).
Anyway, I have been wondering for a while why I haven't been needing to use rear brake when slowing down for intersections, traffic flow, coming in to corners etc. I thought maybe I was using the jumbo front brakes more, but that wasn't it.
 This afternoon on the bike it hit me, Steve's cams and the reduced overlap increase cylinder pressures, which increases torque, and engine braking. Duh!
 It also explains why I've had a few self steering rear end moments when gearing down for corners and why the bike is much more "twitchy" on the throttle in traffic, where you are constantly on and off the throttle modulating speed. You do get used to it and modify your technique, but at first you think you've forgotten how to ride.
 I've gone from using rear brake to slow down pretty much all the way into an intersection to MAYBE using it once I am in second or first gear, creeping down to the line or modulating speed as I move off again.
 So, another bonus for these cams.

 Regards, Andrew.

Be careful using the engine to slow you down. When you slow down with engine braking there is one thing that does not happen when using the actual brakes. No brake lights. Last thing you want is some redneck hillbilly in a pickup rear ending you, or worse crashing into the back of your bike.

[Stasch]

I've noticed the same thing with the engine braking.

Other guys are braking coming into corners into the twisties, and I'm not due to the engine braking setting me up at the right speed without braking.

This and the lower end grunt are very useful in managing your cornering, especially with the late apex method I've been playing with since the National, but that's another topic.

[two_wheeled]

Wait a minute.  Does the ZG1000 have a slipper clutch?  For certain?  I didn't think it did. 
Don't MAKE me go test it!  Wait, how do I test it?  hee hee

[voileauciel]

Wait a minute.  Does the ZG1000 have a slipper clutch?  For certain?  I didn't think it did. 
Don't MAKE me go test it!  Wait, how do I test it?  hee hee

Indeed she does! And a very good one at that. I also realised the difference between with and without when I almost dumped a KLR650 on a demo last week. Slowing down quickly from about 50 or so the rear locked briefly before I yanked the clutch back in.

When I buy one of those, it will be like learning all over again...

[two_wheeled]

I had no idea.  That explains quite a bit.  Thanks!

[typhoon]

 I found out about the slipper clutch perhaps a week after buying my bike. I was used to a 650 with very little compression braking and a much taller first gear than the GTR. Coming up to a set of traffic lights, dropped the bike into first at about 30 km/h and let the clutch out. Rear of the bike pumped up and down on the suspension and the rear tyre tried hard to lock up, but didn't. The pogo stick action was the slipper saving me from my own stupidity!
 As for the current issue with the rear locking up, it's only happened once or twice and only at low speeds, I am still getting used to the new cams, so just need to modify my riding style.

 Regards, Andrew.

[Colt45]

Wait a minute.  Does the ZG1000 have a slipper clutch?  For certain?  I didn't think it did. 
Don't MAKE me go test it!  Wait, how do I test it?  hee hee

It does. I don't recommend you test it. Testing requires a stupid move like downshifting 3 gears and dumping the clutch. 

[Stryker]

It does. I don't recommend you test it. Testing requires a stupid move like downshifting 3 gears and dumping the clutch. 

I've made that error before. I didnt notice any slipper like action. My rear started sliding a bit until it hooked back up.