Swingarm Mods
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Swingarm Mods
Hey guys like some of you know I been looking to fit a little bigger tire and wheel on the rear, but I don't want to expend an arm and a leg on Modifications. Does somebody knows how to fit a 18x5.5 wheel on the rear with the original swingarm? Or making minimal Modifications?
More RPMs please
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Re: Swingarm Mods
There is no way to go from a 15x4 wheel to a 18x5.5 wheel with "minimal" modifications.
Anything is possible if you throw enough money at it.
The stock swing arm will accept a tire one size wider at best.
Anything is possible if you throw enough money at it.
The stock swing arm will accept a tire one size wider at best.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
Tonight it is too late. I will be posting what I did tomorrow.azazelakira wrote: ↑Tue Mar 05, 2024 2:17 pmHey guys like some of you know I been looking to fit a little bigger tire and wheel on the rear, but I don't want to expend an arm and a leg on Modifications. Does somebody knows how to fit a 18x5.5 wheel on the rear with the original swingarm? Or making minimal Modifications?
For starters, you can see the results here;
viewtopic.php?f=48&t=1193&start=125
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Re: Swingarm Mods
Whelp! Seems my Picture Hosting Website isn't cooperating today.
I have sent them a message for assistance, so Hold On. When I get this all ironed out, I will post the pictures of how to get the 5.5x18 Wheel in your Stock Swingarm.
I have sent them a message for assistance, so Hold On. When I get this all ironed out, I will post the pictures of how to get the 5.5x18 Wheel in your Stock Swingarm.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
The thing is that I don't want to throw $2500 dollars to a swingarm that is wider that I need, and then the custom wheels.
Thank you
More RPMs please
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Re: Swingarm Mods
I really appreciatte that, I have my second Intruder that I shall start working on, the engine is been closed form changing the gears, now I have to start painting the chasis and do the mods I want to do before seatting the fenders and such.
More RPMs please
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Re: Swingarm Mods
Sometimes you have to pay to play.azazelakira wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:29 pmThe thing is that I don't want to throw $2500 dollars to a swingarm that is wider that I need, and then the custom wheels.
Thank you
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Re: Swingarm Mods
Rest assured. with My Mod?...you will not be anywhere's NEAR that kinda $$$ .azazelakira wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:31 pmI really appreciatte that, I have my second Intruder that I shall start working on, the engine is been closed form changing the gears, now I have to start painting the chasis and do the mods I want to do before seatting the fenders and such.
And,..... you will have that which you seeketh.
Patience Grasshoppah. ( that's from the TV show, Kung Fu)
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Re: Swingarm Mods
azazelakira wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:29 pmThe thing is that I don't want to throw $2500 dollars to a swingarm that is wider that I need, and then the custom wheels. Thank you
As you will see you don't ,Have To Pay, big money ,To Play, in getting what you want.
The installation of a Wider Wheel/Tire project started with choosing the Wheel/Tire and the dimensions thereof.
A little background firat,...at the time, Thunderbike and others in Europe were installing HUGE rear tires on 1400's, some as big as 300mm wide! I thought that a bit over done and wanted a similar upgrade, but didn't reduce my Carving Corners ( I loved the Deep Leaning ) and Riding Comfort as much.
I measured things on my 1400, and determined that the Metzeler 200/50R x 18 Tire mounted on a 5.5 x 18 Wheel would fit well and look really nice, while not be too heavy ( too much un-sprung weight makes for poor Riding comfort). Most important, it would not require a Centerline-of-Tire offset (front to rear)... which was being sold by Thunderbike to get those HUGE rear Tires in there. ( a Ride Handling Poblem-maker for sure)
The Measurements indicated that this Combination would clear the Drive Shaft in the Stock Swingarm. And a Clearance "notch" in the Swing Arm itself was all I needed.
So here's some Work-in-progress pictures on how I made this Mod come to be;
As you can see, the Cover Plate is thin Aluminum ( 032 Sheet Stock) .. It is easy to form but still sturdy enough. And thus is easy to make it just barely clear the inside edge of the Drive Shaft.
Here's another view;
Drill and Tap the Swing Arm for Mounting Bolts ( Stainless Steel of course) seal it with Silicone Sealant,...and VIOLA!
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Re: Swingarm Mods
Hey azazelakira - if you are going to cut a notch out of your swingarm I strongly recommend you take it to a machine shop to get a plate welded in.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
Designer wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 8:33 amazazelakira wrote: ↑Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:29 pmThe thing is that I don't want to throw $2500 dollars to a swingarm that is wider that I need, and then the custom wheels. Thank you
As you will see you don't ,Have To Pay, big money ,To Play, in getting what you want.
The installation of a Wider Wheel/Tire project started with choosing the Wheel/Tire and the dimensions thereof.
A little background firat,...at the time, Thunderbike and others in Europe were installing HUGE rear tires on 1400's, some as big as 300mm wide! I thought that a bit over done and wanted a similar upgrade, but didn't reduce my Carving Corners ( I loved the Deep Leaning ) and Riding Comfort as much.
I measured things on my 1400, and determined that the Metzeler 200/50R x 18 Tire mounted on a 5.5 x 18 Wheel would fit well and look really nice, while not be too heavy ( too much un-sprung weight makes for poor Riding comfort). Most important, it would not require a Centerline-of-Tire offset (front to rear)... which was being sold by Thunderbike to get those HUGE rear Tires in there. ( a Ride Handling Poblem-maker for sure)
The Measurements indicated that this Combination would clear the Drive Shaft in the Stock Swingarm. And a Clearance "notch" in the Swing Arm itself was all I needed.
So here's some Work-in-progress pictures on how I made this Mod come to be;
As you can see, the Cover Plate is thin Aluminum ( 032 Sheet Stock) .. It is easy to form but still sturdy enough. And thus is easy to make it just barely clear the inside edge of the Drive Shaft.
Here's another view;
Drill and Tap the Swing Arm for Mounting Bolts ( Stainless Steel of course) seal it with Silicone Sealant,...and VIOLA!
This is great, just what I needed to see. With patience I should be able to get it done, because I don't want a huge tire on the back, just bigger than stock.
Thank you Deaigner.
More RPMs please
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Re: Swingarm Mods
Not sure what your welding experience is - but at the very least you would want to have the swingarm in a jig so it doesn't distort - welding around that area can easily pull the axle plates closer together.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
Well I guess I will find out, doesn't look to be that thin metal to distort that easy but I will check it out for sure. Thanks.hillsy v2 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:19 pmNot sure what your welding experience is - but at the very least you would want to have the swingarm in a jig so it doesn't distort - welding around that area can easily pull the axle plates closer together.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
You'll be cutting out around one third the radius of the tube and welding in a plate. It will most likely distort unless it is in a jig.azazelakira wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 4:16 pmWell I guess I will find out, doesn't look to be that thin metal to distort that easy but I will check it out for sure. Thanks.hillsy v2 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:19 pmNot sure what your welding experience is - but at the very least you would want to have the swingarm in a jig so it doesn't distort - welding around that area can easily pull the axle plates closer together.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
azazelakira wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:10 pmThis is great, just what I needed to see. With patience I should be able to get it done, because I don't want a huge tire on the back, just bigger than stock. Thank you Designer.
You are most Welcome. I am confident you CAN do this yourself. I will be there to Help/Advise you every step of the way..
You can choose any tire smaller than the 200/50/18 tire I chose. The first point being is that you can fit the 5.5x18 Wheel that you want to in your Swingarm without having to spend the $2500 dollars for a New Swing Arm to get hat you want. Saving some Big $$$ right off the bat.
Just so you know,...this Mod has been totally Water Proof and Structurally Sound for close to 20 years now. And with the Corning I like to do, I did "Torque Test" it thoroughly first before posting it here. So you need not worry over this Mod being any sort of issue as to need any sort of welding. Why?..... is because I figured out the the Thickness Of The Metal and Structural Design that went into the Stock Swing Arm is MORE THAN sufficient to handle any Torsional and Deflectional Forces acting upon it that this small "notch" might induce.
And,...that you do not need welding saves you even more $$$,...by avoiding the Welders Fees,..the suggested costs of a Jig for welding,....and the Grinding Down/Finishing his welds,...all in preparation of the Painting/Refinishing costs that would needs be done IF you resort to needlessly welding.
If you want, I can help you with the fabrication/shaping of the Cover Plate.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
"needlessly welding" ?
Just wow.
Just wow.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
I for sure will be asking more questions when the time comes, I am still an OTR driver until next month, then I will be a broke Electician Apprentice, but been that I will have the time to play with my toys, the big thing will be the paint I think I will send it to powder coat depending on color. Will figure it out when that time is comming. Thank god we still have you here otherwise all this knowlege had been lost.Designer wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 7:51 pmazazelakira wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 3:10 pmThis is great, just what I needed to see. With patience I should be able to get it done, because I don't want a huge tire on the back, just bigger than stock. Thank you Designer.You are most Welcome. I am confident you CAN do this yourself. I will be there to Help/Advise you every step of the way..
You can choose any tire smaller than the 200/50/18 tire I chose. The first point being is that you can fit the 5.5x18 Wheel that you want to in your Swingarm without having to spend the $2500 dollars for a New Swing Arm to get hat you want. Saving some Big $$$ right off the bat.
Just so you know,...this Mod has been totally Water Proof and Structurally Sound for close to 20 years now. And with the Corning I like to do, I did "Torque Test" it thoroughly first before posting it here. So you need not worry over this Mod being any sort of issue as to need any sort of welding. Why?..... is because I figured out the the Thickness Of The Metal and Structural Design that went into the Stock Swing Arm is MORE THAN sufficient to handle any Torsional and Deflectional Forces acting upon it that this small "notch" might induce.
And,...that you do not need welding saves you even more $$$,...by avoiding the Welders Fees,..the suggested costs of a Jig for welding,....and the Grinding Down/Finishing his welds,...all in preparation of the Painting/Refinishing costs that would needs be done IF you resort to needlessly welding.
If you want, I can help you with the fabrication/shaping of the Cover Plate.
More RPMs please
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Re: Swingarm Mods
If he hasn't welded in 20 years and he says is not rusting, then no weld is needed. Now if you think different, you are entitled to it.
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Re: Swingarm Mods
It's not about rusting - it's about structural integrity of the swingarm. There's a bunch of sharp corners there without any radius for a start which are prone to attracting cracks. There's really a stack of red flags with that idea but feel free to copy by all means.azazelakira wrote: ↑Thu Mar 07, 2024 9:34 pmIf he hasn't welded in 20 years and he says is not rusting, then no weld is needed. Now if you think different, you are entitled to it.