Topic: swing arm swap

[northwestdrew]

Hello everyone first off let me say I really like the site, so much knowledge mixed with humor and insight, that said.I wonder would using a swing arm from a 1982 dohc in a 1973 sohc change the handling for the better due to the lengthening of the wheel base. Have a chance to get a 1982 parts bike just wondering if I should add it to the pile. THanks.

[Alan F.]

Not sure if it'll improve the handling any, but if you run a search for the terms dohc and swingarm, you'll probably find out something you didn't already know.
-Alan

[northwestdrew]

thanks but found no links

[bucky katt]

actually, lengthening the wheelbase will slow down the steering/handling. a shorter swingarm is what you want for better handling. the only reason to go to a long swingarm is if youre racing, it helps to prevent wheelieing

[northwestdrew]

See that's what Iam talking about, knowledge, thanks. I think Ill grab the front end off the 82 if not for the 73 at least for a project down the road.

[Industrial Cafe]

i did it. I love it.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=46599.0;all

used to keep my front end down till I swapped motors.

[northwestdrew]

Read in the Hondaman post that the 73s had a slight head shake, will the longer wheel base be a factor to clear it up or is that a reflection of the steering angle?

[MCRider]

"Better" handling needs to be defined. If you want quick and nimble, shorter swingarm. If you want stable in high speed, you'll want a longer swingarm. Depending on the person, either can be "better".

And you can mix it up. Longer swingarm, but drop the forks up thru the trees a tad. And vice versa.  Some racebikes have adjustble triple trees to change the rake/trail for different tracks. Some tracks have more slow speed turns, others are highspeed with banks.

When someone says "racing" to me, I think roadracing, and a longer SA is a choice, not always taken. Drag racing sure, keep the front wheel down.

If you are an interstate rider, you'll like the longer swingarm. If you go carving it up with the club on Sunday mornings, you'll prefer shorter, and drop the forks up the trees to keep up with the CBRs.

Better to take care of a headshake at the source and i'm sure HM has his opinion on that. Likely its a tire, rim, front wheel to rear wheel alignment issue. Assuming the steering head bearings are fresh. I think it should be cleared up without really changing anything like rake, trail, or swingarm length.

IMVHO