Swingarm stiffening

Lester

XS650 Junkie
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Hey guys, anybody beef up their stock swing arm like shown in the attachment?
Think there will be an issue with the chain slapping it?
I have seen Punkskalars Swing arm which looks real good but I perfer it a bit more simple.

View attachment Swing arm brace.pdf

Pictures welcome :thumbsup:

Thanks
Lester
 
Joe wise guy on the west coast makes kits or has complete braced arms in any length you want. The radian arm is a popular alternative. The TX750 arm is built stronger and is a true bolt and go swap.
 
Thanks for the info guys. I was awear the xt750 is a bolt on swap but I'll have a hard time finding one here and when I do the price is inflated... getting one from over seas is possible but shipping would put me right back in the same cost catagory. I'd like to do it in my shop any ways... seems like a good challenge.
The wize guy swing looks real cool but as mentioned a bit too extreem this time around anyway.

Any more pictures???
 
Hey guys, is the TX750 swing arm the same length as the XS650 ? I was just reading this thread and then checked one out on Ebay. They certainly look a lot stronger.
 
I used a '73 TX750 swingarm as the basis of my monoshock swingarm. I had read that they are supposed to be a little bit (~5/16") longer; mine measured within 1/4", so I'd say the length difference is negligible.

Compared directly to the stock XS650 unit, the tubing is both thicker and slightly larger in diameter. I didn't record a weight, but as I recall it's only a very little heavier in the hand than the stock unit. Looking at it on the bike, most people wouldn't see the difference.

The increase in wall thickness and tube diameter yields a respectable calculated increase in both strength and stiffness, and as such it is an excellent swap, with or without an added brace.

I bought a Wiseguy underbrace before I became fully committed to the monoshock project... the price was right (you'd be hard to get the steel and basic tube-forming alone for what they sell for), but I was unimpressed with the fit, finish, and welds on the unit. However, looking at the basic geometry, the Wiseguy brace stands far enough away from the chainline that I doubt chain slap would be much of a problem.
 
As far as I could tell, the two swingarms are identical in almost every way except for the larger tubing on the TX750 arm. Both use the same chain adjusters, bushings, pivot sleeve, and pivot bolt. Shock mounts are the same. The chain guard mount is like the early 650s with a front pin that sticks into a grommet.

I really like the swap. My bike feels more solid at all speeds.
 
I just bought the Joe swing arm brace kit. Wish I knew about the TX750 arm before hand :-/ . Oh well.. I hope the fit and finish is not as horrible as osteoderm's kit. I do like the look of the bracing however.
 
i have sold several a couple hundred of these units in the past 14 years. i have extended and braced a few hundred more.....never had anyone with issues.... if someone here had issues with fitment etc why didnt you contact me? this thread was just brought to my attention to i figured i would have a look and a say.
 
i have sold several a couple hundred of these units in the past 14 years. i have extended and braced a few hundred more.....never had anyone with issues.... if someone here had issues with fitment etc why didnt you contact me? this thread was just brought to my attention to i figured i would have a look and a say.

? ? ? ? No fitment problems mentioned here.... other than the your product doesn't fit my builds budget.... lol. :doh:
 
I used a '73 TX750 swingarm as the basis of my monoshock swingarm. I had read that they are supposed to be a little bit (~5/16") longer; mine measured within 1/4", so I'd say the length difference is negligible.

Compared directly to the stock XS650 unit, the tubing is both thicker and slightly larger in diameter. I didn't record a weight, but as I recall it's only a very little heavier in the hand than the stock unit. Looking at it on the bike, most people wouldn't see the difference.

The increase in wall thickness and tube diameter yields a respectable calculated increase in both strength and stiffness, and as such it is an excellent swap, with or without an added brace.

I bought a Wiseguy underbrace before I became fully committed to the monoshock project... the price was right (you'd be hard to get the steel and basic tube-forming alone for what they sell for), but I was unimpressed with the fit, finish, and welds on the unit. However, looking at the basic geometry, the Wiseguy brace stands far enough away from the chainline that I doubt chain slap would be much of a problem.

Do you have any pictures of the mono shock that you did? I am considering doing one on my Street tracker project.

Thanks,
Mike
 
osteoderm your issue is that you were trying to install a brace made for the 75-84 swingarm onto the shorter and narrower 70-74 swingarm. why didnt you look at the ad on ebay prior to buying, or contact me prior or after the sale? for information purposes the early swingarms are much shorter and narrower then the later models. i would not recommend anyone useing them for any mods such as monoshock etc. the best models are actually the 80-84 as i have found the metal tubing heavier and axle plates a better all around fit. it is easier to bitch about someones product on a forum then it is to call the builder and ask about whether the product will fit a certain application. my phone number is on all sales so it is not hard to find when wanting information from the source.
 
I think you're off by one year. '74 was the 1st year for the new style swingarms according to the parts listings.
 
yes i think you are correct. it should be 74 onto later years. i appologise for misreading the previous post i took it as a dis towards my product line. didnt mean to assault anyone. just mybad.
 
5twins, I took your advice and mounted a TX750 swing arm awhile ago. It made quite an improvement. The TX750 arm is 2 lbs. heavier than the stock XS650 unit, but a hollow rear axle, modified plastic chain guard (from the salvage stash at the local independent shop, no idea what it went on originally), drilled chain adjuster stops, and a few titanium fasteners keep the unsprung weight at a healthy level. Thanks for the tip.
 
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As far as I could tell, the two swingarms are identical in almost every way except for the larger tubing on the TX750 arm. Both use the same chain adjusters, bushings, pivot sleeve, and pivot bolt. Shock mounts are the same. The chain guard mount is like the early 650s with a front pin that sticks into a grommet.

I really like the swap. My bike feels more solid at all speeds.

Mr 5T, I'm back for some more advice.
Regarding the TX750 swingarm upgrade, doesnt the brake pedal shaft that rotates on the inside of the frame when a rear drum brake ia used, come close to the TX swingarm? I read here that the XS swingarm is recessed in the area as to not hit this brake component, and the TX swingarm is not recessed, any concern or just a myth?
 
Yes, the clearance is very close, but on the couple I've done, it fit. Tough to get a proper angle pic, the clearance is actually a bit more than what you see here, and it increases as the swingarm moves up when the shocks get compressed .....

AKoNdXQ.jpg


You do need to flip the anchor pin for the brake rod around. Put the thin head on the inside, cotter pin end facing outwards .....

n7aVVNQ.jpg


If you did have a clearance problem, it would be pretty easy to just bend the bracket on the pivot out a little bit at the top where the brake rod attaches.
 
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