HOW TO:Brace your swingarm

[rafa]

I always liked the look of those swingarms.

I was actually talking to my friend about doing it to my zx10, here is my paint rendering.
And it is getting colder...... bike has not been out in a while...

[Cerbyr1]

my suggestion would be NOT to brace the swing arm. there is a good chance that it will adversely affect the handling of the bike even if its just at a small level.

what i did to get the same effect is make my own CF covers. (see attached pics)

i left the finish exposed CF but there is nothing stopping you from painting and color matching the covers

[CARBONAR1]

Originally Posted by Cerbyr1

my suggestion would be NOT to brace the swing arm. there is a good chance that it will adversely affect the handling of the bike even if its just at a small level.

what i did to get the same effect is make my own CF covers. (see attached pics)

i left the finish exposed CF but there is nothing stopping you from painting and color matching the covers

Nice job on the covers, man.



I've thrashed around bumpy hills roads for 4 years and 20,000 kms on my braced arm, and done many front-end-of-the-fast-group track days at Phillip Island GP circuit, with no adverse handling effects.

[Cerbyr1]

Originally Posted by CARBONAR1

Nice job on the covers, man.



I've thrashed around bumpy hills roads for 4 years and 20,000 kms on my braced arm, and done many front-end-of-the-fast-group track days at Phillip Island GP circuit, with no adverse handling effects.

haha i knew you were going to chime in on the swing arm i still remember asking you about it ages ago. I dont doubt that you're right about no adverse effects on the r1.

i guess i am just cautious when it comes to messing with structural members. but that could very well be just my paranoia haha the extra bracing in the swing arm will possibly make it more torsionally (is that even a word? lol) stiff which if anything will affect the grip and drive out of corners at high lean over bumpy surfaces as that is the range where the suspension doesnt work very well and the chassis stiffness kicks in.. its why BSB and WSBK teams use braced swing arms and frames (on smooth tracks) but at the TT they usually tend to go back stock frames and swing arms (much more bumpy surface)

of course i am talking about situations where we're using every last amount of grip so for a fast track day rider or road rider the effects, good or bad, if any would be very subtle! the biggest worry would be poor welding technique that could warp the swing arm slightly due to the heat so experienced welder would be a must.

i like the covers option as its replaceable (race bike) and doesnt impact on the swing arm structurally.. but then i have rules and regs to abide by - no swing arm mods.

and thanks! i was really happy with how they turned out! of course i now have to redo the right hand side... stupid Hashed! lol but the cover did its job!