Author Topic: Box Section Swingarms  (Read 734 times)

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Offline pekingduck

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Box Section Swingarms
« on: January 25, 2023, 08:28:42 AM »
Looking for a steel or aluminum box section swingarm as an upgrade for a CB500/550 to accommodate a slightly wider than 140 tire, and needIe bearing pivot. And lighter, more rigid, and better looking in the process. I have 3 questions.

What's out there in the aftermarket, or that can be adapted, besides the GS1100,  Radian, and Zephyr?

I believe stock CB650s are an inch longer, CB750s an inch shorter, but fit without mods. Is that true?

I was talking to a manufacturer who used to make an upgraded box section steel swing arm for Yamaha XS650s and SR500s many years ago. Is there any market for one for our Hondas in the $300 range?

Online Tim2005

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #1 on: January 25, 2023, 11:55:01 AM »
I believe you can still get a new one from Dresda https://www.facebook.com/dresdaclassic/

Offline Shtonecb500

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #2 on: January 25, 2023, 03:09:01 PM »
https://www.instagram.com/chriscarrdesign/?hl=en

This guy is local to me in Michigan, he can make custom swing arms for our bikes. I was going to have him replicate the box swingarm on my 750 but havent gotten around to it.

Stock swing arm fits a 140 fine, just weld on bracing to a stock swinger.

You wont find an aftermarket box swing arm in the 300 dollar range, you will have to hunt craiglist, fb marketplace, and ebay for a used unit, even then the cheapest they get is around 600....you can usually find a parts bike with one for parts bike/rolling chassis prices. You have to be searching everyday though.

the length ur talking about doesnt make a difference as far as having to mod the bike.

I think what you want is the "look", which is fine. But you'll have to pay up for it.
73/74'' CB500/550 resto-mod - sold
75' 750f 91' cbr f2 swap cafe - mock up
74' 750 chopper hardtail - complete - sold
74' CB750/836kit - Black mix & match - daily rider - always tweaking
71' cb500 K0 survivor - complete
71' K1 - CANDY GOLD/BROWN Winton kit - in process

Offline pekingduck

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #3 on: January 26, 2023, 08:58:18 PM »
Thanks for your replies and comments.  Obviously not something many want.

Offline newday777

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #4 on: January 26, 2023, 10:14:50 PM »
Looking for a steel or aluminum box section swingarm as an upgrade for a CB500/550 to accommodate a slightly wider than 140 tire, and needIe bearing pivot. And lighter, more rigid, and better looking in the process. I have 3 questions.

What's out there in the aftermarket, or that can be adapted, besides the GS1100,  Radian, and Zephyr?

I believe stock CB650s are an inch longer, CB750s an inch shorter, but fit without mods. Is that true?

I was talking to a manufacturer who used to make an upgraded box section steel swing arm for Yamaha XS650s and SR500s many years ago. Is there any market for one for our Hondas in the $300 range?

$300 price range would be wonderful to see that again for a good box swingarm.  Unfortunately the cost is much higher, like 5 times now for the few places out there that offer them. Yes it may be because there are fewer wanting them because most don't want to spend out that much money.

This is an aluminum race type swingarm for the 750

https://japan.webike.net/products/21983410.html

« Last Edit: January 26, 2023, 10:24:46 PM by newday777 »
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline newday777

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #5 on: January 26, 2023, 10:28:01 PM »
This is a steel 1" extended box swingarm with CB750K7/K8 type axle adjuster for only $500 ready for paint which is a bit more price friendly.

https://mgsperformance.com/product/custom-swing-arm-1975-1978-honda-cb750-mgs-performance/
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline newday777

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #6 on: January 26, 2023, 10:30:11 PM »
So if you have someone who will build a good box swingarm for the $300 price point let us know..... I'd be interested.
Stu
Honda Parts manager in the mid 1970s Nashua Honda
My current rides
1975 K5 Planet Blue my summer ride, it was a friend's bike I worked with at the Honda shop in 76, lots of fun to be on it again
1976 K6 Anteres Red rebuilding project, was originally my brother's that I set up from the crate, it'll breath again soon!
Project 750s, 2 K4, 2 K6, 1 K8
2008 GL1800 my daily ride and cross country runner

Prior bikes....
1972 Suzuki GT380 I had charge of it for a year in 1973 while my friend was deployed and learned to love street riding....
New CB450 K7 after my friend returned...
New CB750 K5 Planet Blue, demise by ex cousin in law at 9,000 miles...
New CB750 K6 Anteres Red, to replace the totaled K5, I sold this K6 at 45k in 1983, I had heavily modified it, many great memories on it and have missed it greatly.....
1983 GL1100A, 1999 GL1500 SE, 1999 GL1500A

Offline Shtonecb500

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2023, 10:58:37 PM »
keep an eye on cycle x, they turn over a good amount of parts and is mostly drag and race bike stuff, they sell stuff fast though. Also keep an eye on their facebook page and official website....should all be linked somewhere on the ebay store..
https://www.ebay.com/str/cycleexchange

it took me bout 2 years to get my hands on a nice one, i usually see the super extended 3 position axle swingers the most, I think they are ugly tho and anything longer than 2 inches throws off geometry.

the other cb swing arms should fit without modification, maybe the passenger mounts get in the way if anything?
people for sure want box swing arms but almost every is made to order and expensive.



« Last Edit: January 26, 2023, 11:06:33 PM by Shtonecb500 »
73/74'' CB500/550 resto-mod - sold
75' 750f 91' cbr f2 swap cafe - mock up
74' 750 chopper hardtail - complete - sold
74' CB750/836kit - Black mix & match - daily rider - always tweaking
71' cb500 K0 survivor - complete
71' K1 - CANDY GOLD/BROWN Winton kit - in process


Offline Shtonecb500

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« Last Edit: January 27, 2023, 08:04:43 AM by Shtonecb500 »
73/74'' CB500/550 resto-mod - sold
75' 750f 91' cbr f2 swap cafe - mock up
74' 750 chopper hardtail - complete - sold
74' CB750/836kit - Black mix & match - daily rider - always tweaking
71' cb500 K0 survivor - complete
71' K1 - CANDY GOLD/BROWN Winton kit - in process

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #10 on: January 27, 2023, 08:42:44 AM »
Prokop
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I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
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CB900C

2006 KLR650

Offline pekingduck

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #11 on: January 27, 2023, 11:16:49 AM »
Thanks everyone, lots of great info here.

I stumbled on this thread on the forum.  2 pictures tell 2000 words.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,139745.msg1583298.html#msg1583298

CB650 is apparently in between 550/750 width at the pivot.

Offline bryanj

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #12 on: January 28, 2023, 12:26:40 AM »
500/550 and 750 use the same pivot collar so must be the same width
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline pekingduck

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #13 on: January 28, 2023, 09:58:18 AM »
Good to know.  I checked 1979 CB650, and it's also the same p/n, but 1980-1982 CB650 models use a different center pivot collar and swingarms, still not needle bearings. No idea why. 1979 and later CB750s also use a different collar, but afterwards went to needle bearings.

Offline 70CB750

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Re: Box Section Swingarms
« Reply #14 on: January 29, 2023, 11:17:01 AM »
Prokop
_______________
Pure Gas - find ethanol free gas station near you

I love it when parts come together.

Dorothy - my CB750
CB750K3F - The Red
Sidecar


CB900C

2006 KLR650