Gs500/550 1979 with Bandit swingarm

[Kenny]

Anyone done a conversion?

[Chuck78]

Any modern bike swingarm like that is designed for a completely different engine style, compact transmission, swing arm further forward and closer to the engine counter shaft output sprocket.
So basically it's no good for any bike that you want to have a ton of fun taking around corners, but could be a worthwhile conversion if you are looking to extend your wheelbase significantly to make a high-horsepower large displacement 4 cylinder bike do better off the line in straight line racing.

[Kenny]

Any modern bike swingarm like that is designed for a completely different engine style, compact transmission, swing arm further forward and closer to the engine counter shaft output sprocket.
So basically it's no good for any bike that you want to have a ton of fun taking around corners, but could be a worthwhile conversion if you are looking to extend your wheelbase significantly to make a high-horsepower large displacement 4 cylinder bike do better off the line in straight line racing.

aha… i see. Learned something new today. Thanx man, then this is not for me then. 👍 appreciate your input.

[Kenny]

So I would be better of using the aluminium swingarm from gs1100e or gsx1100 as it is called here in Europe?

[Chuck78]

Absolutely.
There's a 2mm difference in swingarm bolt diameter though so you need a 1mm sleeve bushing made up to adapt unless you have a machinist enlarge the holes in the frame. Don't try it with a handheld drill unless you rig up a verry accurate guideor ha vs e some incredibly long reamer bits. Search here for info.

Also, rear axle diameter is larger if I recall on the 1100 alloy swinger, so you need a wheel from the big bikes or a bearing conversion/swap adaptation and spacers. Axle spacing is wider, so you need the axle and spacers also for that reason.
Sprocket carrier offset is larger, so you need the 550 carrier adapted, in order to have your chain line correctly oriented.

[Chuck78]

And if your 550 is a drum brake, you just need to swap to disc brake components and wheel, or else TIG weld a brake stay mount on the underside of the swingarm.

Lastly, the GS1100E is a big bore powerhouse, so the swingarm is still slightly longer than a GS750 swinger, and a bit longer again than a 550.

[Kenny]

And if your 550 is a drum brake, you just need to swap to disc brake components and wheel, or else TIG weld a brake stay mount on the underside of the swingarm.

Lastly, the GS1100E is a big bore powerhouse, so the swingarm is still slightly longer than a GS750 swinger, and a bit longer again than a 550.

thanx for info, I’ll look for this swingarm then complete with the rearwheel from same bike. 🙂 And my bike is original with disc brake on the rear by the way.