single vs. double

Discussion in 'Mechanics Garage' started by cstmvfrguy, Nov 7, 2008.

  1. cstmvfrguy

    cstmvfrguy New Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2008
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    foot of the dragon
    Map
    I have an 86 vfr 700 and i am thinking of doing a single sided swingarm how much work is involved with this mod? Also wondering the pros and cons to going to a sssm any experience would be much appreciated. I'm also wondering if anybody has any other suggestions for performance upgrades on this bike I already have supertrapp exhaust k&n smaller front sprocket (in Proggress) wider tires and brakes off a cbr 600. I love my bike but i am always looking for the next project. :rambo:
     
  2. supertex

    supertex New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, California, United States
    I've been wodering this myself. How much is involved in fitting a third gen piece
     
  3. willi777

    willi777 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2008
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    There was a page i stumbled across- http://www.rc30.us/ -years ago where the owner tried to fit a VFR800 swingarm on his 86 VFR750. Of course there is nothing on the page now, that i see, regarding the swap, so i will send the e-mail reply i got when i inquired...
    "The swingarm came off of a VFR800, and DOES NOT work!! It's back off the
    bike now, and I've put the stock swingarm back on it with an F3 rear wheel.
    I had to have the shock mount moved back to the original location, too. The
    dimensions just didn't work out. The sprocket was too far to the left and
    the wheel centerline was too far to the right. It would have required MAJOR
    surgery to get it to work, and I'm just not that dedicated!! I finally got
    the bike on the road about a month ago though with the F3 wheel, first time
    I rode it since the 840 conversion. It feels a LOT stronger, but I'm still
    in break-in mode so I can't really flog it properly yet."
    When i saw the page, there were pics- the shock mount was cut out of its location in the middle of the frame, and rewelded to the left to match up with the shock- pretty major surgery, and then it didnt work out, that is brutal... but ya gotta try it to find out.
     
  4. twopearls

    twopearls New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2006
    Messages:
    2
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    this is a simpler & better performing project ... makes a huge difference in handling, traction & tracking ...

    CBR F2 Conversion - Rear

    CBR F2 Conversion - Rear
     
  5. cstmvfrguy

    cstmvfrguy New Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2008
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    foot of the dragon
    Map
    thanks i've got the cbr wheels with a 160 series tire i'm having trouble getting anything wider to fit without rubbing the brake arm. any ideas.
     
  6. Rev

    Rev New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2006
    Messages:
    646
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Olympia,WA
    Modify the brake arm.

    I haven't heard of anyone making the mod you are asking about, but here is a link you may find useful: Honda Swingarm Dimensions
     
  7. supertex

    supertex New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, California, United States
    What about using a swing arm from 87 400. Frame looks the same. Would be hard to find though.
     
  8. SAFE-T

    SAFE-T New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 8, 2004
    Messages:
    111
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    www.ebay.uk has these all the time, the difficult part being to find someone who will ship it to you. I have had several wheels sent to me from Britain using DHLonline - about 30% of the cost DHL normally quotes - this was a few years ago, but still worth a try.
     
  9. willi777

    willi777 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2008
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Wow, i never thought of using a VFR400 swinger... might just be the ticket to pulling off the ssa swap on the 86 since the frames look really similar.
    Modding the brake torque arm... USE CAUTION here...from what i have read, i think through Cobalt racing and on the old VFR forum, any tire over a 160 is going to cause more stress on the swingarm than it was designed for. The bike came stock with a 130 bias-ply rear tire...not very sticky compared to a modern radial tire.
    But if you must, here it is from the link in post #4 above

    ...First you will make room for the wider wheel. The "I-beam" caliper stay will need to move in order to make enough clearance for the F2 wheel. This can be done the barbaric way—by grinding the "][" down to a "[". Or you can choose, as I did, the aesthetically superior way (yes, art snobs even exist in the motorcycle community). This can be done by moving the stay to the outboard side and bending it in a slight "S" shape. I did this after the wheel was properly positioned so that the spacing would be right. It was bent easily with nothing more than a vice and some elbow grease. Note: Make sure you use a bolt that clears the rear brake master cylinder on the swingarm stroke
     
  10. TAGLICIOUS

    TAGLICIOUS New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 19, 2007
    Messages:
    75
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
    the afore mentioned description

    elbow grease to bend a swingarm to fit for a sss vs a dss? you must want to die? The aluminum needs to be bent with heat then made sure it's the right alignment (with heat as well) then let it sit and cure... don't dip it. This what you are refering to? If I were you---I would buy a swing arm for the express purpose of if it doesn't fit... you could easily sell it and not have hacked a swing arm to TRY and make one yourself. That being said, good luck and for jiminy sakes... be careful trying to make stuff work remember the torque put out by an SSS... keep us posted... I know a few guys that may be interested in this hillbilly type of mod :cheersaf:
     
  11. squirrelman

    squirrelman Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2006
    Messages:
    9,838
    Likes Received:
    743
    Trophy Points:
    128
    Location:
    Buffalo, NY
    Map
    i've got the swingarm, shock, and linkage from a '96 that i need to sell.......$335, will separate.
     
  12. supertex

    supertex New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, California, United States
    Check again guy I believe they are talking about the caliper stay not the actual Swingarm. That would be nuts.:crazy:
     
  13. emptyskull

    emptyskull New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2008
    Messages:
    98
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    near the bat cave
    Map
    I would go with the triple sided swing arm and have 2 back tires..
     
  14. leftcoast

    leftcoast New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2007
    Messages:
    535
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    33
    Location:
    somewhere near Seattle, but my heart is just north
    Map
    how 'bout just buying a 4th or 5th gen? :unsure:

    JAT..................................
     
  15. willi777

    willi777 New Member

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2008
    Messages:
    27
    Likes Received:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    3
    Its all about the weight for me... the '86 is as heavy as i like, but i'm only 145 soaking wet. Speaking of weight, adding a single sided swinger is going to add a decent amount of weight, compared to the stock swingarm, which is pretty light. i think the trade off- a much beefier swingarm and wider wheel, not to mention the bling factor, are worth it, but that's just my two cents. The best bang for the buck would probably be aftermarket wheels... the F2/F3 and VFR rims are really heavy when compared to a marchesini or Dymag rim.
     
  16. supertex

    supertex New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, California, United States

    Can I buy one for $300? That's why. Besides, less fun that way. :cheersaf:
     
  17. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2008
    Messages:
    6,731
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Map
    Are you still interested in this mod?
     
  18. cstmvfrguy

    cstmvfrguy New Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2008
    Messages:
    60
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    foot of the dragon
    Map
    i've kinda forgotten about it but any info would be nice in case i decide to tackle this project next year. have you done it or know someone that has.
     
  19. TOE CUTTER

    TOE CUTTER Mullet Man

    Country:
    United States
    Joined:
    Nov 30, 2008
    Messages:
    6,731
    Likes Received:
    85
    Trophy Points:
    78
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Map
    I have seen it done before so I know it is possible. I just picked up a wheel and swing arm to install on a 86. I will post pictures if you like.
     
    Last edited: Jan 16, 2009
  20. supertex

    supertex New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2008
    Messages:
    895
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, California, United States
    What year are you trying to make work?
     
Related Topics

Share This Page