Topic: What is wrong with this picture

[tennesseebreeze]

I'm going to do some measurements and get some better pictures tonight probably. I'm pretty sure the bolted upper part on the shock is not a modification, but just how this model was done. And as far as the wheel spacing- my instinct is that it is correct. I've eyeballed down the chain and it seems like the front and rear sprockets are in line with each other. If the bike was hit at some point and bent the frame and/or swingarm, it isn't evident in any other part of the bike. Parts can be replaced of course- but it looks like most of this bike is original. However, my suspicion is still a bent swingarm. I'll be looking at it further.

[Bodi]

The 400 hawk shocks attach with bolts into the frame, this is not a mod. Your picture shows the left shock with the top spring coils almost closed, the right shock looks like they are more open. That says, to me, that the right one is less compressed. The preload adjusters appear to be set the same but that isn't clear.
I still think the swingarm has been twisted. I have found, and straightened, quite a few.
If it is twisted, and you try to straighten it, you will be amazed at how easily it's bent back to "square". It can be done on the bike with a 2x4 and shocks on, two strong guys with one holding the bike and the other torqing the swingarm.
Checking for a bent frame is difficult and straightening one is not easy. Hopefully this is just the swingarm and the frame is OK.
Yes, parts can be changed. People used to, probably still do, buy several same-model wrecks and make one or two good bikes out of them with minimal "new" parts.

[tennesseebreeze]

Thanks Bodi- Yeah, the shocks are at the same adjustment. A twisted swingarm almost seems like the easiest to fix. If the frame is bent too then it can't be too awful- I've been riding it for over a year and despite the chain/sprocket problem, it's been a pretty solid bike with a smooth ride.

[Powderman]

I think we can eliminate the bearing as an issue. If the bearing were gone you would be able to move the wheel around while on the center stand. It would certainly make all kinds of racket if you were riding it and cause more substantial damage in very little time.

[tennesseebreeze]

And the culprit was...bent swingarm!

I finally got the time to get a closer look at it. As you can see from the pictures the axle is definitely not lining up with the rest of the bike. I had to get the right pipe off to get the 2x4 in there, but I was able to bend the fork by pushing down on the lever and keeping my foot on the bike to keep it upright. In the last picture I put a straight edge on the back of the swingarm to determine if it was fixed. Bad news- pulled a muscle in my back doing it. Now I'm laid up feeling my age.

[fmctm1sw]

That's something else...   

[martin99]

Well done for getting it sorted, and well done for the update. Too often we see people with problems on here and don't get to know the outcome. Good on ya.

Take care of that back, mine's still farked two years on.
 

[tennesseebreeze]

Well done for getting it sorted, and well done for the update. Too often we see people with problems on here and don't get to know the outcome. Good on ya.

Take care of that back, mine's still farked two years on.
 

Thanks. I'd like to think it could help someone with the same problem. It was an odd problem to track down because the bike seemed to ride fine. The back should be okay in a day or two. I can get around- just sore as hell.

[faux fiddy]

just take a straight vooden plank..and hold it on the side of the rear hveel..and see if it are parelel to the front hveel..evt use a par schrevs to press it in to the hveel so it are teight

 

A long florescent tube is a good straight object to gauge whether your wheel are parallel, but fragile.

I have helped with frame straightening before, it involved bolting the whole naked frame to a machine table and using a cheater bar to pull the head tube perpendicular to the swing arm bolt or vice versa. It's not that involved after you pull everything off the frame.

[tennesseebreeze]

just take a straight vooden plank..and hold it on the side of the rear hveel..and see if it are parelel to the front hveel..evt use a par schrevs to press it in to the hveel so it are teight

 

A long florescent tube is a good straight object to gauge whether your wheel are parallel, but fragile.

I have helped with frame straightening before, it involved bolting the whole naked frame to a machine table and using a cheater bar to pull the head tube perpendicular to the swing arm bolt or vice versa. It's not that involved after you pull everything off the frame.

I hope I don't have the pleasure of having to do that, but it is good to know.