Topic: NEW Cal Fab swingarms for the 750

[Stev-o]

Hey Mick.....I would like to order one of these but $650, holy #$%*e!

Stev-o, I appreciate not wanting to spend the money, but I will say this: the amount of work that goes into making a swing arm of this nature is enormous. The time spent welding alone you would pay nearly that much for someone to TIG it together. Then of course you have all the other fabrication and machine time (lathe to turn the pivot tube, milling for the axle keepers, Cryo treatment afterwards, etc). If you use $50/hr as a base rate, I bet there's nearly 35 hours of work in these. I'm making a couple of swing arms from scratch, also from aluminum, and I can attest to the work and time and "touches" just to get one thing dead right.

At $650, they are a bargain for their quality. Maybe not what you'd want to spend, but outside of CMR and TTR400, I don't know of another modern arm being made for the CBs. Spend it, you can't take it with you! 

Hey Cal....when you look at it that way, it doesn't seem as highly priced.  I knew Chris was making them but had no idea of the price, I was just a little surprised.    Going to look into CMR, that was to suggested to me already.   
Don't worry, I'm not taking it with me! Our daughter is doing everything she can think of to get us to spend money on her!

[calj737]

I doubt either of those options are much less either, by the way. The TTR400 arm while less in product cost, is more with shipping from South Africa (unfortunately). And since its length is for a 550, it would make a nice handling improvement for the 750. Maybe with CMR being in Canada, the exchange rate to our advantage, it could be less in cost? But it certainly won't be less in quality 

[bwaller]

The CMR arm even at todays rate of exchange will be $150 more than the alloy arm, plus shipping cost. $650 is quite a bargain.

[Stev-o]

The CMR arm even at todays rate of exchange will be $150 more than the alloy arm, plus shipping cost. $650 is quite a bargain.

Thanks for the info, Brent.   I'll call Chris next week and see if he has one or plans a run, I'm not in immediate need.  I've already purchased a MotoGP exhaust from him for this bike.

You guys will laugh when you see the modded swing arm on this bike.  Someone used .75" flat bar welded to the stock arm!

[bwaller]

The CMR arm is a well built strong piece & I'm not trying to discourage you from buying one of these.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

The CMR arm is a well built strong piece & I'm not trying to discourage you from buying one of these.

Actually, with the current exchange rate the prices end up being almost identical.

[bwaller]

Don, maybe I paid too much!!

[754]

 I think they have less than 20 hours each into them, but not the first ones. At 20 hrs or plus you would have to pull the plug on production, be building them at a loss...no point to it..

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I think I just got lucky with the exchange rate -- as with my Hindle exhaust.  Once the Canadian dollar rebounds, the lower-price parts party is over.

[Retro Rocket]

Motogpwerks are making new Calfab swingarms in a different style, I'll post pics as I get them, new pipes on the  way as well, maybe some exotic ones as well  ..

[nicks2319]

Motogpwerks are making new Calfab swingarms in a different style, I'll post pics as I get them, new pipes on the  way as well, maybe some exotic ones as well  ..

Saw this, hoping he does 750F, with mounts for the rear disc setup.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

He hasn't done them YET.....

[Retro Rocket]

He hasn't done them YET.....

He's making them as we speak, I've seen the pics....   New pipes on the way too...

[nicks2319]

He hasn't done them YET.....

He's making them as we speak, I've seen the pics....   New pipes on the way too...

He just said on facebook there isnt a demand for the F models

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

One issue he faces pertaining to the demand is the 2 different F models with different width swing arms.

Wonder how many he will make in this batch to make it worth his time?

[Retro Rocket]

He hasn't done them YET.....

He's making them as we speak, I've seen the pics....   New pipes on the way too...

He just said on facebook there isnt a demand for the F models

I was responding to Jerry about the swingarms that are currently being made. I talk to Chris almost every week. You can use a K model arm on the F1-F2, ditch the stock, huge, ugly rear brake caliper and mount and run a more modern one and under sling it like newer bikes, the K arm needs no modification to do this... Or, talk to Chris on the phone and ask him if he can weld the caliper stay on the top of the K arm so the stock disc brake parts can be used..?

[Motogpwerks]

Jerry,
Sorry I just can't do the 'F' model numerous reasons ,1st I don't own one and the 2ND there isn't a demand for 20-30 swingarms a year  also every swingarm (this time ) is getting a big billet jig (and another for heat treating ) and I've already spent $14.5k on jigs in the past 4 weeks (9x swingarm types).Currently building 108 swingarms.
I will be offering a braced version also,the price will be on par with any Japanese non heat treated swingarm or UK firms.
I have the only 2 stage heat treated & aged swingarms anywhere ,the reason is it takes twice as long to build a swingarm is it  needs to be  sent away three times to three different company's that  provide a service on the swingarm.Everytime it comes back it needs to be straighten. .Every swingarm I get back comes with a cert from the aerospace heat treat-er  in case someone asks.
These swingarms can't be welded on afterwards ,this is due to the swingarm changing properties.Hence making it weak and not whole.

If you have never brought a swingarm most lead times are 4-6 weeks and most go for $800-1400us ,so i will have them in stock unless they sell quickly .

[754]

Note what he said about welding to them after completion..been tellng you guys that for years..

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Understand Chris. Thanks for the reply. Just glad you're still indulging us after the last fiasco here   Sounds like we need to get you a F model 

There you go guys. This is the REAL #$%*!! Read it for yourself. Support those that support us. Buy a swing arm from Chris!!

Thanks Mick. 

[Retro Rocket]

Not what he said about welding to them after completion..been telling you guys that for years..

Frank, I've had aluminum arms modified and have another {GS1100} ready for modding as well, My guy in Aus can get them heat treated too if that's what you want, { his welds are gorgeous}, so its no problem for me, just do it right...

Chris, thanks for stopping by, can't wait to see the new ones, especially the braced version..

[Camrector]

Chris did you have a timeframe in mind for when these will be available?
Thx!

[Retro Rocket]

Chris did you have a timeframe in mind for when these will be available?
Thx!

I'd say, "when they are ready", he's a one man operation and does a #$%* load more than just make swingarms and pipes, every time Chris gives an estimate as to when a product will be finished, everyone b1tches and carries on like children when the day or week comes and goes. The last couple of times I spoke to Chris {last week}, he was still at work at 10pm at night,  They'll be ready when they're ready....  

[Stev-o]

Chris did you have a timeframe in mind for when these will be available?
Thx!

If you are seriously interested, you should call and place a deposit [if he'll accept it]

[Motogpwerks]

When it comes to time frame ,the first batch off triumphs will be done by april 23rd ...honda ones later may as they don't sell that well .I have new exhausts and new brake vintage race calipers later april as well that Ive been testing for 12mths...Camrector I do have one cb750 swingarm left ,I was keeping it for raining day but if you really need it you could have it for my cost $550 if that helps you out.

[Camrector]

Wow chris thankyou so much for the offer.
I have 2 builds to finish before I start back on my 750, so save it for someone who is really in need.
I will definantly be buying one though
Thanks