Speed Triple Single Sided Swingarm Installation

With a measurement from testerossa, I set the front axle at the proper hight to simulate an installed front wheel. Then I made a new frame support for the jig with 2" jack screws so allow me to adjust the frame hight 1" lower and higher than stock. I used the screws to raise the frame until I got the swingarm to the correct angle.

Then I climbed under the bike and held the linkage up at the (as close as I can figure) proper angles, then measured the distance off the bottom cross brace for the new brackets. I did not take a pic of this scientific process, since it's a trademarked secret Suffice to say you'll see before and after pics once installed With my new measurement, and a few others, I set about to make the linkage brackets. Utilizing my Nuclear Precision Dial Caliper, I marked out the dimensions on 1/4" steel plate and drilled the holes at each end.

"Excuse me while I whip this out"
Nothing like a line from Blazzing Saddles :laugh:
So out came the sawsall, and I rough cut out the brackets. I'll touch them up on the bench grinder and round out the linkage end a bit for asthetics. I also cut a 5" long piece of 1.5" tubing longitudinaly (looks like a C). I'll bend this around the 1" bottom frame brace/mount to duplicate the OEM reinforcement used on the center stand mounts. Can't hurt, can it?

I should get this tacked up tomorrow, then I'll start laying out the top shock mount. Looking good so far. Anyone see any obviouse errors? :ohmy:

missing the other shock??????

it has been my experience, that u need to set up the rear geometry as close to the doner bikes stock location as possible. at the very least , build in some adjust-ability if possible. if u change the goem too much, the linkage will apply force at a dif rate. this will cause the spring rate to be dif., and give u a poor ride(too stiff or soft).u need to be able to get the static sag, close to the stock level, around 25mm, id say.
This is where i am with my bike now. i am tiring to recreate the stock ZRX12 geom that my rear end came off.the ride quality was poor, when i tried to set the rear end to where I wanted it. since i couldn't bring up the front ,i lowered the rear(wrong move).
this winter i raised the front, so i could raise the rear, to where it should be.
since u will have Gull wing trees , u are starting off on the right foot.
hope this is of some help.

Mark makes a good point here. Do you know anyone with a Speed Triple? I bet that a stranger might not take kindly to you crawling all over their bike taking measurements. I kept my GIXXER around just long enough to get all of the pertinant info as suggested to me by Mark.

Also, it would seem that you could take some good quality digital photos of a complete Speed Triple, and with the right editing software, and at least one known measurment (swingarm length?) work out the rest of the dimensions. I know it could be done on our CAD software at work if you were able to superimpose the pic onto a model. Not sure if this is possible. I'd have to ask our CAD/CAM guy. You would need to make sure that the pics are perpendicular to the bike to eliminate any foreshortening. Probably far-fetched, but it's an idea.

Sorry Tri, I've never seen a single sided swingarm with duel shocks. If you have, I'd love to see a pic of it so I know what I'm missing :huh:

You guys are correct that the proper mounting locations and angles are paramount to enable the components to operate as designed. I don't know anyone with a Speed Triple, but I was able to measure the frame that my swingarm came off of, giving me mounting locations in relation to the swingarm pivot. I do need to double check those measurements before I get to far ahead of myself, I just got a little carried away yesterday :whistle:

I'd still really love to see a duel shock SSSA Tri

porchev914 wrote:

I'd still really love to see a duel shock SSSA Tri

The 2 shocks are mounted on the same side.:laugh:

mark1122 wrote:

porchev914 wrote:

I'd still really love to see a duel shock SSSA Tri

The 2 shocks are mounted on the same side.:laugh:

Well, if 2 shocks are better than 1, wouldn't 3 shocks be better than 2? OH! or "duel" duel shocks, with 2 on each side! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

Adam, I found just what you need. Check the link: www.skyjacker.com/image/search/pdf/ts950.pdf

The pictures aren't the best, but I'm sure that you'll get the idea.