Swingarm straightening

  • sbulla
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Swingarm straightening

10 Jul 2009 10:40
#305882
As with some ebay purchases, you don't always get the good stuff. I bought a GS1100 swingarm for my KZ awhile back and have been waiting for a good time to install it.

I had some new sprockets to install so I thought I'd pull the old swingarm while the wheel was off and check the fit of the GS arm to see what size shocks I would need, etc, etc. Well, in the midst of my measuring, I found that the GS arm is warped. The left side sits about 3/8 of an inch higher than the right.

What is the correct way or is there a way to torque this sucker back into shape?

After all the measurements, I, also, found out that the GS arm is only about 1" longer than the stock arm.

Sonny
Now----
1980 KZ1000 LTD (Kerker 4-1, K&N pods, Dyna gray coils)


Gone but not forgotten----
1966 Honda 305 Superhawk
1969 HD 350 Sprint
1971 500 H1
1972 250 F8
1972 750 H2
1973 KX250
1995 HD Sportster 1200
2000 HD Softail
2002 KLR650

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  • PLUMMEN
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Re: Swingarm straightening

10 Jul 2009 19:46
#306063
must of been a high horse motor in the bike it came from,its common cause of left side being pulled up by the loads from chain trying to fold it over! B) id find a shop that straightens sportbike frames since theyre used to working with aluminum.aluminum is cool stuff but it work hardens with age and can be brittle and stress crack easily
Still recovering,some days are better than others.

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  • sbulla
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Re: Swingarm straightening

11 Jul 2009 10:18
#306183
Are you sure I couldn't clamp down the pivot end and crank on the rear with a long rod? Guess that might be a bit destructive.

Here's what I'm dealing with...

Sonny
Now----
1980 KZ1000 LTD (Kerker 4-1, K&N pods, Dyna gray coils)


Gone but not forgotten----
1966 Honda 305 Superhawk
1969 HD 350 Sprint
1971 500 H1
1972 250 F8
1972 750 H2
1973 KX250
1995 HD Sportster 1200
2000 HD Softail
2002 KLR650

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  • PLUMMEN
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Re: Swingarm straightening

11 Jul 2009 13:23
#306212
:woohoo: i think youd be pushing your luck!
Still recovering,some days are better than others.

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  • Bluemeanie
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Re: Swingarm straightening

12 Jul 2009 06:23
#306406
Aluminum does not bend like steel does. I straigtend out my bent fork with a 40 ton press but Aluminum WILL bend with a hard sudden impact (such as a crash) but trying to bend back by hand with any tools will cause it to possibly crack or break. I guess it's possible that some people out there can do it with heat but then your messing with the temper which may reduce it's strength. You may be able to do it with some high leaverage and a little at a time, I guess you can go for it as you have nothing to lose. It's no good as it is and just maybe it might work. Good luck... ;)
1980 KZ650F1, Bought new out the door for $2,162.98!

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  • Bluemeanie
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Re: Swingarm straightening

12 Jul 2009 06:26
#306408
Where's my "edit" button????? :blink:
1980 KZ650F1, Bought new out the door for $2,162.98!

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