eezz

OK, this is not a question about the mod in general, I've read all your posts. What I would like to know from those of you who have done this is this:

What do you thing is the best choice; the RC51 swingarm, the 954 or the 929 regarding ease of installation and extra parts requirements and wheels that work with them?

Thanks

98VTRrider

I have never done a swingarm swap(on the VTR) so I can't comment on those swingarms.

If you are looking for ease of installation have you considered doing the 900rr swingarm brace method? It would retain stock wheelbase and suspension geometry. It would stiffen up the rear a lot, and add some bling. But I understand if you want a more aesthetically pleasing piece like the RC-51 back there.

what about the VFR800 single sided swingarm swap? I love the look, but may not be what you want if you might be racing/tracking the bike.

eezz

Basically what I would be doing it for is the better handling by eliminating the flex. I would then ad a Penske or Fox or whatever shock is available to complete that process. Based on what I've read here; it is my understanding that the stock swingarm and wheel are much heavier than the swingarm & wheel combo I could end up with if I change out the whole rear end. Unsprung weight loss is good for handling and wheel weight is good for acceleration and maybe top speed.

VTaRse

I fitted a Blade brace and then took the bike straight on a track day; sadly I didn't notice any real difference in handling over the stock one.

As far as I'm concerned it's bling only, a fraction more weight but only a few grams so I can live with it.
One positive is that I was able to use an old swingarm which had marks from a can when I dropped the bike a while ago, which were cleaned up and now it's been powder-coated it doesn't show.

If I were doing it again I'd be tempted to add infill panels between the arm and the brace, flush with the side edges of both of the components.

I plan to do another one including the infills at some point but also to extend the arm by 100mm, for drag track use.
10mm won't ruin the handling too much for me not to be able to ride it to the drag track and back again. Obviously I'll be fitting a longer chain to suit.

8541Hawk

That is odd as I noted a pretty big difference when I fitted the brace on mine.

I wonder if it has anything to do with how the brace is placed on the swingarm or how it is welded.

So IMHO I still say it is a good performance mod if you don't want to try and fit a SP2 swingarm.

Tweety

There's only one small difference... The RC51 swingarm is basically a bolt on modification, with a minor fabrication of the spacers and so on...

The CBR swingarms, are all in the category of cut, weld, re-route the exhaust and it might fit... With a large amount of work...

smokinjoe73

Cant say it will improve handling but the single sided VFR one will make you like the 2nd coolest hawker on the planet (next to me). Chicks will not be able to control themselves and they might make a dos XX commercial about you.

Plus you can scoff at all those ducati posers when they get angry that you have such an exotic V twin.

Just my 2 cents.

Oops gotta go, all those school girls waiting for me outside saw me in the window.