| Author | Message | ||
     Jimincalif |
Folks, My bike is a '97 S3 with all rear shock and swingarm updates done. I'm about due for a rear isolator swap. At the same time I'd like to upgrade the belt to the 2006 XB12 and do something about that spindly swingarm - seems dumb not to do it all at once given the level of teardown needed. I know I can fit the later-era aluminum swingarm and mounting block from something like a 2000 S3, and that would be fine. I've even got a line on one (with matching mount) maybe. But if possible I'd like to swap to a rear swingarm that holds oil as I don't trust that plastic oiltank and an aluminum one will run $300. So my questions are: * Are there any rear swingarms that hold oil and can be fitted to my bike? Like maybe the X1 swingarm? * Crazy thought: can a downwards-pointing shock mount be grafted onto an SB series rear swingarm?! I realize it would be a rather serious aluminum welding job but would the length be right for a new-era belt? Or would I be into chain conversion territory given the resulting bizarre length? Would the result be a slightly extended swingarm in addition to oil in the swingarm? * Even more psycho: if I'm going to ditch the stock plastic oiltank once there's a swingarm with oil in place, why not weld up an upper shock mount compatible with an XB compression shock into the frame? Might have to move the battery to get enough room but God knows there's places to stick it on an S3. The tube frame would be easy to weld on and it's not like it would be a very visible area once the tank, seat and rear bodywork are on. Just hit any bare steel with rustoleum and good to go. People would wonder WTF happened to my missing rear shock but God knows the Showa would be no great loss. And enough people have center-punched minivans or whatever in XBs to leave these rear suspension parts all over EBay for peanuts... (Message edited by Jimincalif on April 16, 2006) | ||
| Rex |
I don't think the oil in the swing arm fits the tubers. The X1 swing arm does not hold oil. American Sport Bike makes an aluminum tank for the tubers, I believe. Sounds like quite a job. Sounds good. REX | ||
| Jimincalif |
$500 for an aluminum oil tank at American Sport Bike. Yikes. Looky. I can score an SB swingarm for $125: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/late-model-buell-swingarm-w-oil-tank_W0QQcmdZView ItemQQcategoryZ35569QQitemZ4628895644QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V I can score a stock XB rear shock for cheap. Several are on EBay, no reserve. Works or Penske or whatever are major bucks of course but stock should do. It appears to be the same part across all XBs (other than the Uly of course). Figure $200 in welding to graft an upper eye bolt in once I do all the stripping of seat, rear bodywork, oil tank and battery. Done right, a shock mount with a series of different cross-bolt holes to allow fine-tuning of the upper shock eyebolt position should be practical. The trick questions: * How easy would it be to modify my existing rear motor mount for the XB swingarm? Just looking at EBay photos, it appears the XB swingarm pivot area is narrower than on the tubers. Compare the above link to: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BUELL-SWINGARM-RECALL-KIT-S1-STS-NEW-NR_W0QQcmdZV iewItemQQcategoryZ35562QQitemZ4622576748QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD1V That means spacers, but that's not necessarily a bad thing as it means I'd be able to control horizontal placement of the rear tire. Maybe a bit of grinding on the stock rear swingarm mounting point, it's got a raised bit in the middle. I'm assuming using a rear mount off an XB is right out as it won't fit the tube frame isolators. I'd have to convert to chain using an XB chain conversion kit springloaded slack adjuster but that's no sweat. I might have to re-position (via shims) the front chain sprocket sideways to match the swingarm positioning but again, that's doable. Worst case, the battery can get mounted on the frame tubes to the left of the engine, under or behind the keyswitch area. No biggie. I'd have to run a straight-wall axle from the original swingarm to let the PM rim fit the XB swingarm. *Should* be long enough, if not...that could get ugly. Might end up with a rear axle off a Hayabusa or somedamnthing. Need to check that measurement. At least at first glance this looks doable but there's lots of questions. The new upper shock mount is the least of the various issues to be dealt with. It might however *shorten* the wheelbase? Ehhh...that could get "fun"  . | ||
| Seth |
I remember reading somewhere that the XB swingarm will not fit tube framed Buells but that doesn't mean it's not worth trying! |
