sp1/2 or jmc swingarm

agentpineapple · Post by **agentpineapple** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:20 am

i was wondering if anyone has tried to use a sp1 or sp2 swingarm on there storm before with any success, i've just contacted jmc about the cost and avalability of one of there swingarms also.
as far as the sp swingarm goes, i understand it bolts to the frame, but as i'm using the modified vtr/superbike/spondon frame that maybe it wouldn't be to big an issue, i'm just looking for the cheapest way to strengthen the swingarm, i'm interested in the cbr900 cut n shut swingarm/brace but because i'm not to clever with tools and i don't know anyone in the london area to do the job i'm discounting that route, maybe wrongly.
i'm also not sure if the shock is centrally mounted on the sp1/2 because that would kybosh that idea.
any ideas guys, let me know............

nora2004 · Post by **nora2004** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:41 am

Its been done over the Us forum, however its rather complicated and involves making a new linkage for the shock, and from what I read you cant use the std shock neither for whatever reason!

In other words, if you think doing the Blade brace conversion is to much then forget doing the SP swinger!

YETI · Post by **YETI** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 11:40 am

imho , you should have kept the spondon swing arm

YETI..

agentpineapple · Post by **agentpineapple** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 12:49 pm

i hear you yeti but i would have had to spend a hell of a lot more on a set of dymags and other bits and pieces to have kept and used the spondon swingarm, i'm still running a bike which has had only minor power upgrades and truth be known i don't need to upgrade the swingarm just yet, but whilst the bikes in pieces i thought it would be wise to check out my options, if i could get an sp one to fit it wouldn't cost to much, although thats a big IF...........
fair shout nora, i'll find out the price of a jmc (i do like the underneath brace) and i'll have another look at the blade brace again, i might drop tony mon a pm and ask him where he got his done, as he's only an hour down the road from me.........

Kev L · Post by **Kev L** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:09 pm

The Blade brace is the line of least resistance. Easy to remove using angle grinder, dremmel, saws, hammers & files. I just went to a few metal fabricators/engineering companies until I found one willing to have a go. They are in Ware, Herts if that is of use to anyone, and having done mine they have an idea what is required. All for Â£30.

http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=18972
If it works the above should take you to the original thread with piccies.

agentpineapple · Post by **agentpineapple** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:23 pm

cheers kev, did you cut the brace off yourself? and take both parts to them, and how long did it take them to do it?

Kev L · Post by **Kev L** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 6:48 pm

I bought a VTR and a CBR900 swinger off E Bay then cut the brace off at the welds, front and rear, using a variety of tools. I am sure whoever you get to do the job would be able to cut the brace off for you if you haven't got the facilities. Just cost more.
Mine has been in getting powder coated and I got a call yesterday to tell me it is ready, along with a few other bits.

tony.mon · Post by **tony.mon** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:29 pm

Found an ok fabber but he went on holiday and missed the promised start time, then forgot what i wanted done, etc, etc.
Cost me Â£100, reasonable job but not really a recommend.

I'd use him again but I'd book a day off and stand over him....

agentpineapple · Post by **agentpineapple** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:42 pm

thanks tony & kev
hmmmm as time is money being self employed i couldn't really take the time off, to over see the work. i just heard back from jmc and to make a swingarm with underneath bracing powder coated black and delivered is Â£570.......hmmm but you could pay in installments, it does take along time 14 weeks, you read correct 14 weeks, if i was gonna do it i reckon i would order it over winter maybe.
kev have you got the fellas number in hert. i could ebay a cbr900 swingarm and get the ball rolling, there were other issues wasn't there, about mounting thr rear brake? and what about chain guard?
it would also mean me selling my brand new hugger i bought from the usa and i got clobbered with Â£20 import duty the b8stard.......lol
as far as powder coating goes i've got to get my wheels, frame and rear subframe done anyway.
well i've got a bit to think about haven't i.

Kev L · Post by **Kev L** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:50 pm

Sorry missed the "how long" part, they took about four weeks (it was over all the bank holiday weekends) They quoted me a week but reduced the price to compensate ( didn't want to charge me at all but I paid them Â£30).

geoff996 · Post by **geoff996** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 7:57 pm

Hi Marty, sp arms bolt to the frame and not the engine casings fireblade arm is the easier and cheaper option easy like kev says, vice or workmate to hold steady hacksaw or grinder with cutting wheel, cut at the bottom or the welds. Any engineering shop should beable to weld it.

tony.mon · Post by **tony.mon** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:10 pm

The brace (if fitted on top) fouls the caliper, and so you have to use a caliper mount plate from a suitable blade as well.

And the plate uses a male sliding stop ( the bit that stops it rotating when the brake is applied, whereas the original is a female, so that needs cutting off the Storm arm and a new one fabbing up. Two short lengths of square section ally does the trick.
Weld the lower one on first, with weld all round, as it's the lower one that takes all the strain.
The top one can just be tacked on three sides.

But you might choose to use a separate arm which would easily fit.

Lastly the brake line might need to be extended, or more accurately a longer one fitted.
I'm hoping to re-route mine and get away with the one I have; the normal exit from the rear m/cylinder is pointing forward but I will see if it can be routed to come straight out the back, which will allow the standard length line to be used.

agentpineapple · Post by **agentpineapple** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:56 pm

hi geoff the only reason i considered the sp swingarm is because i have the spondon frame which means a swingarm can bolt to the frame on my vtr not just the engine casings. but i wouldn't be sure about shock or linkages for that matter, looking at the price of second hand sp-arms being so cheap, i was thinking it might be possible to bolt on a honda jobby on the cheap......lol
tony, where i'm not a mechanic or an engineer most of the technical stuff is lost on me mate, i sort of understand what your saying but i doubt i would be able to walk into a workshop and explain myself to a fabricator/welder.............
this is why i was looking at a jmc, maybe 4 monthly payments of Â£140 odd and i'd have the swingarm i really fancy.
i'm not sure what to do anymore, the blade option is by far the cheapest, but i would need to get it done in about 2 weeks otherwise my mechanic mate will have been waiting ages to get cracking on the bike..........

Kev L · Post by **Kev L** » Sun Jul 10, 2011 10:04 pm

Just take the laptop and show them the photo's or go to someone thats done it before. Not difficult.
Anyone want the front Blade chainguard, the bit that goes in front of the brace? I bought myself a carbon one to go with the hugger.

lloydie · Post by **lloydie** » Mon Jul 11, 2011 4:52 am

Me please I've been looking for one for a wile now but don't want to pay silly money for one

Can't ride but it don't stop me trying

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