| Author | Message | ||
     Thespive |
For those who have put a long swingarm on their XBS, could you please point me to a link or detail to me what exactly you needed to change? I did lots of searching and have found little, I even tried to contact some members about bikes I found, but have not gotten any responses. Some people say your battery tray needs to be modified, some say you need a new belt and a ner idler pulley, etc. I'd love to read up or communicate with someone who has completed this (with a belt). Thanks, --Sean | ||
| Blasterd |
Check with EricZ, he just did this a month or so ago, looks nice! Ken | ||
| Thespive |
Yeah, I sent him a PM and left a post on his turbo thread. Thanks. --Sean | ||
| Ericz |
What you have to change: You need a longer shock. The shock mount on the long swingarm is further away. Either extend your current shock somehow or find another shock that will work. I extended my stock shock. Also think about changing to a stiffer spring rate. The new swingarm has more leverage on the shock and will "reduce" the effective spring rate. The new shock angle will require either battery tray modification or spacing the subframe to allow proper clearance with the stock battery tray. I spaced my subframe. If you are going to keep the belt drive all that is needed is the belt from a ULY, SS, or TT. They are all the same belt. You will also need the idler pulley from one of those models. This will keep the proper belt tension. You do not need to change either of the sprockets. If you have a pre 2006 XB you will need the oil lines and oil pump fittings from an 2006-later XB. You do not need to change the rear brake line but the line from either a SS or TT will make things work out nicer if you want to get the rear fender for the long swingarm. Everything else will swap over. | ||
| Thespive |
Thanks Eric! You are the best. I plan on putting TT suspension on my CityX, making it a SuperCiTTy, so the longer shock is covered. Can you go in to further detail on spacing the subframe for me and what in entails? Pics would be a bonus. I do plan on keeping the belt drive, so I will get the new belt and pulley. Wil also order up the brake line. My bike is an '06, so it sounds like I am good there. Thanks for your time and information, --Sean | ||
| Thespive |
One more question... How did you extend your stock shock, and by how much? --Sean | ||
| Thespive |
And the last question... How much longer is the Long swingarm over the standard swingarm? I know some of the extra wheelbase is in the frame. --Sean | ||
| Penders_xb12r |
I did the swap about 8 months ago on my xb12r and it was really easy like ericz said watch out for clearance between the fuel pump and the swingarm it could be very bad if you don't. Trust me I know from experience. Mine caught on fire. I would recommend that you use the longer brake line when you do the swap its only 45-50 dollars for the line brand new and it looks a lot nicer plumbed like it comes from the factory. | ||
| Penders_xb12r |
The swingarm adds approximately 2 inches to the overall length of the bike. It depends on your ride height though cause I lowered mine at the same time too. If you leave it stock height it might be a little different due to the lack of suspension geometry changes. | ||
| Thespive |
Penders, thanks for writing back. I have your thread saved in my bookmarks for research. I know you have an R, so obviously the tail sections are different, but what can I do for a shock? I was planning on using the TT shock, but maybe I could use a Uly piece if I need more length, or is there a custom length shock I could get? I definately am going to buy the brake line, I want to do this once, the right way. Can you post what your wheelbase is now. I appreciate the help. Also, EricZ, if you are reading, if you could answer the questions above and provide more details, that would be great. --Sean (Message edited by thespive on July 25, 2007) | ||
| Penders_xb12r |
Sean, My wheelbase is now 54.125 inches. I am redesigning the swingarm currently. I am going 6 inches overstock and going to a 210-220 rear tire. I am still in the initial design phase right now though. As far as rear shocks go your best bet is to measure the length that you need and a good compression length so the swingarm doesnt hit the fuel pump then call a shock manufacture to see what they have or what they can make for you. As for straight out swaps I dont have a answer for you. There might be one out there but I didnt look that deep into it, because you need a much stiffer spring anyway. | ||
| Ericz |
When I did the initial research for the swingarm swap I went around and measured all of the shock lengths from the different model XB's. Standard frame models such as XBR & XBS have a 14.0" eye to eye uncompressed length. Standard frame low or CG models have a 13.25" eye to eye uncompressed length. Large frame models such as XBSTT, XBSS, and XBX have a lower top shock mount on the frame. This makes for a shorter shock with the long swing arm. These shock WILL NOT fit the standard frame models since the fitting on the shock for the remote reservoir interferes with the standard frame. Some frame modification would be required to install a shock made for the large frame on a standard frame. The XBSS has a 13.625" eye to eye uncompressed length. The XBSTT has a 14.25" eye to eye uncompressed length. The XBX has a 15.0" eye to eye uncompressed length. The long swingarm is 2" longer than the standard swingarm. When installing the long swingarm on a standard frame model, the stock shock must be lengthened by 1.25" eye to eye in order to maintain the stock ride height. To space my stock subframe I machined .25" off of the inside of the lower subframe mounting hole. I made two .25" thick aluminum extensions that bolted between the subframe mounting hole and the frame mount. For the final install I will extend the stock subframe rails using sections from an extra set of rails I bought on ebay. When they are finished they will look just like a stock piece. | ||
| Thespive |
Thanks Penders, I appreciate your information. EricZ, great break down on the issues that need to be addressed. Can you provide some photos of the subframe mod, I think I know what you are talking about, but I am a visual learner.  Also, thank you for providing the shock lengths, that will help me out in figuring out what to do here. Last questions, how did you, or would you, lengthen the stock shock? And could you possibly send/post a photo of your shock mod? And any idea what the increase in spring rate might need to be over stock. Thanks again guys, I couldn't wrap my head around this without you. --Sean | ||
| Thespive |
EricZ, I looked at your turbo thread again, and found the pictures of your subframe mod, but I would still love to have a picture of your shock mod up close. Since I am raising up my bike with the TT suspension, I am wondering if I will need to space the subframe since the shock will be moved away. Also, if there is a way to make the TT shock fit the upper mount of the short frame, I think I can do what EricZ did and lengthen the TT shock by 1.25-inches and have the correct valving and spring rate. I think that would be ideal if it could be made to work. Do you know what the specific interference issues are with the Long shock on the short frame? --Sean (Message edited by thespive on July 26, 2007) | ||
| Ericz |
Remember that your stock shock is 14.0" eye to eye. After adding 1.25" to maintain stock ride height with the stock suspension the shock will measure 15.25" eye to eye. Also remember that the relationship between shock length and ride height is different between the standard frame and the large frame models. The shocks sit at different angles and the suspension geometry is different. A change in shock length on the standard frame models will yield a different change in ride height than the same change in shock length on a large frame model. You will have to either extend your stock shock more than 1.25" to raise the bike to the TT level or use an extended Uly or TT shock. Somebody is going to have to do some math to figure what shock extension would put your ride height at the same as the TT. If you did use the TT shock the valving may be better but you still may want to increase the spring rate or just stiffen up the preload. The banjo fitting for the shock reservoir is what hits the frame. Also, the length of the remote line is much shorter on the large frame models shocks. If you used the Uly or TT shock you would have to remount the reservoir or swap out lines with your stock shock. You will have to space the subframe. The shock is at a lesser angle with the long swingarm which moves the shock up toward the battery tray. | ||
| Thespive |
Yep, got it. This is why I am thinking of using a TT shock and adding 1.25-in to its length. I have a friend who works for a major shock company and he thinks he can add a new, longer rod to the TT shock as well as swap the resevoir lines and possibly reorient the banjo. If this is the case, then the 1.25 of additional length should get me to the stock TT ride height with the short frame/long arm setup, assuming the numbers you provided will work in my application. As for the subframe, you are probably correct, but since I am raising the bike (relative to Penders and yours), it should give me a little extra clearance under the subframe than what you guys had to work with, as the shock angle will steepen with a longer shock. --Sean | ||
| Ericz |
Sean, Look at the differences between the stock length of the standard frame shocks and the large frame shocks. The TT shock will still have to extended more than the 1.25". If you only added 1.25" to the TT shock your ride height would still be lower. I don't think that the banjo fitting on the stock shock could be relocated. It, along with the upper mount, is welded to the shock housing. | ||
| Thespive |
Yeah, finally got to see pictures of a TT shock and I see what you mean. The shock is def the limiting factor of this project. The shock angle is also an issue in terms of valving and spring rate. It might just be a bit more than I am willing to tackle. Argh. So frustrating since everything else will work just fine. Thanks for all the help, I'll keep looking in to it and see what I can figure out. If I can wrap my head around what I need for the shock, I can go forward - but until then I'll just keep researching. --Sean | ||
| Thespive |
Okay, one last stab, any thoughts on using the CityX rear swingarm and suspension with a spacer block or longer, new rear shock and TT front forks? Thanks, --Sean (Message edited by thespive on July 27, 2007) | ||
| Ericz |
What I would do is use the TT front forks and put the long swingarm on. Keep your stock CityX rear shock but modify/lengthen it for the TT ride height. I would either install the TT or the SS rear spring. | ||
| Thespive |
Gonna look in to that next, thanks for all your help. --Sean |
