Anyone seen a swingarm like this?

[Guest]

Calling on you drag guys; got this in an '83 GS1100 project I just purchased. This swinger was thrown into the deal. PO didn't even remember when he had gotten it and didn't know anything about it. I'm guessing it's some type of KZ GS drag swingarm? Don't know if Orient Express made it or if that's just a sticker. I'm going to give them a call tomorrow. Anyone have any insight I'd appreciate it.

[TheCafeKid]

I dunno...but im likin it! Wanna sell it???

[rapidray]

That is called a "single 'clubfoot' swingarm". The outer 'clubfoot' goes on the chain side of the swingarm to stiffen it & keep the torque of the engine from pulling the axle to the left when you have big power. Orient Express is an aftermarket company that sells hot rod bike parts & does some machine & transmission work. They used to be REALLY big in Funny Bike racing in the 70s & 80s. That arm is made of chromoly steel & is a metal that should NOT be chrome plated. There were a lot of people building swingarms but, to my knowledge, Orient wasn't one of them. Also, that arm was built to be used with struts to lock the rear end of the bike together. It is NOT built to be used with shocks & pivot. Ray.

[russr33]

I figured you would be the man with the answers Ray. So should I have concerns with structural integrity since this piece should not have been chromed? I was going to put it on the 'Bay to help fund getting this '83 engine back together but I don't want to do that if it's unsafe. BTW I'll PM you Ray to see if you have some of the parts I need.

[rapidray]

Put it on Ebay, I guarantee someone will buy it. Just list it as a "Single Clubfoot Swingarm" & list it under "dragbike" & "drag bike". Give a measurement of the arm from the center of the pivot to the front of the axle slot & the length of the slot. Let me know what stuff you need. List the measurement from inside to inside where the wheel goes also. Ray.

[Nessism]

Assuming that swingarm is made from 4130 steel, chrome plating won't hurt it enough to matter. No worry.

[russr33]

Put it on Ebay, I guarantee someone will buy it. Just list it as a "Single Clubfoot Swingarm" & list it under "dragbike" & "drag bike". Give a measurement of the arm from the center of the pivot to the front of the axle slot & the length of the slot. Let me know what stuff you need. List the measurement from inside to inside where the wheel goes also. Ray.

Will do; thanks for the info Ray. I'll shoot you a PM shortly.

[rapidray]

Assuming that swingarm is made from 4130 steel, chrome plating won't hurt it enough to matter. No worry.

Ed, just so you know, it's NOT the chrome plating that causes the problems. It is the acids in the tanks. I wish I knew as much as you cause you seem to know everything. If you think chrome plating isn't bad for chromoly, I'll let you ride a dragbike I know of that has all kinds of problems with the 4130 wheelie bars because of being chromed. Why do you think NHRA doesn't allow chroming on chassis' anymore? Ray.

[posplayr]

fyi

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Double-Clubfoot-Swingarm-Dragbike-Drag-Bike-GS1100-KZ_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZ65Q3a10Q7c66Q3a2Q7c39Q3a1Q7c240Q3a1318Q7c301Q3a1Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294Q3a50QQ_trksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em14QQhashZitem2301eb6116QQitemZ150356058390QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[blowerbike]

maybe a D&G arm out of florida.
i dont think its a kosman..i believe sandy made his outboard arm match the inboard a little farther back in the flat area(i think).
macintosh arms of the same design IMO looked identical to a kosman.
dont really matter...fits GS but could work on a KZ.
most people wont make enough HP to have any ill effects from the chrome/acid wash process.

[atb1998]

Ed, just so you know, it's NOT the chrome plating that causes the problems. It is the acids in the tanks. I wish I knew as much as you cause you seem to know everything. If you think chrome plating isn't bad for chromoly, I'll let you ride a dragbike I know of that has all kinds of problems with the 4130 wheelie bars because of being chromed. Why do you think NHRA doesn't allow chroming on chassis' anymore? Ray.

I personally know the hard way what plating will do 4130 steel and it is not good.