Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r

Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
Posted by Patman13mia on 05 Oct, 2015 16:33
Just curious to know if anybody here has a later model LT with a shorter swingarm than stock.. Ive done some research and have found posts stating that a -2 swinger is much better for trails and tight turns or even mx for that matter. The stock length is about 20.5. I have been making my own swingarm for the lt and had some questions about the shock setup and also if anybody has heard of a no link style setup for the later model LT's. I would like to go the no link route but idk what i would need as far The shock situation. The shock guy i used to get all my info from has passed away so i gota turn to the forums.. I will be making my swinger of all trx250r components since i have alot of that around already from my other bikes.. Any info or better yet photos would be awesome!!

#1 Reply
Posted by Redwhiteblue on 05 Oct, 2015 17:45
This is the first time ive heard of anybody wanting a shorter swingarm but I understand why you want to. Ive been on this forum for a while now and I know there's no thread for this. Are you going to mount the top of the shock to the rocker or to the rocker mount?

#2 Reply
Posted by Patman13mia on 05 Oct, 2015 19:40
Well for this first seingarm im building im going to keep the shock moumt int exact same location and use all oem linkage. Im almost done building this one so the next ome i build i want to figure a way to make it no link. It may require me to move the shock mount tabs on the frame some to get the right leverage ratio. I have seen lots of threads on the everything2stroke page where ppl are cutting the stock swingarm and welding in blocks for support to shorten or lengthen the swingarm. Ive seen all the way down to -4 seinger for tt/ice racing

#4 Reply
Posted by Patman13mia on 06 Oct, 2015 15:16
Ok i get what your sayin here.. Once i get this arm welded up i will fit it on the bike with some photos to see how it sits. Ima make a -1 also and then stock size to compare. I guess i am thinkin if the swinger is shorter than the bike will sit higher than stock which is what i dont want. A lower center of gravity would be nice. I have +2+1 on the bike also so the wheels are a lil more fwd than stock. I think that would help also with the shorter swinger to.

#5 Reply
Posted by Sublunacy on 07 Oct, 2015 16:48
it will sit lower granted the suspension doesnt change.

- anyway i think the shock will have perhaps a longer stroke for the linkage. just a guess. maybe not.

#6 Reply
Posted by Iceracer on 07 Oct, 2015 19:03
I would not go less than -2, i have that on my ice bikes and less makes them extremly wheelie happy.

#7 Reply
Posted by Patman13mia on 08 Oct, 2015 13:52
How does the -2 feel compared to the stock length? Would it be alright for trail riding? And did your rear shock need any adjustments for the shorter swingarm ?

#8 Reply
Posted by Iceracer on 08 Oct, 2015 19:24
All my stuff is lowered so it reacts differntly. The one time i had it raised up with the short swingarm, it had a lot more traction and was really wheelie happy. I would probably go -1 but -2 i think would be too much to be happy trail riding it.

#9 Reply
Posted by Sublunacy on 16 Oct, 2015 08:19
what about just useing a half link chain and run the rear axle as far in as possible.

#11 Reply
Posted by Glamisrider on 19 Oct, 2015 04:28
Quote from: Patman13mia on 05 Oct, 2015 16:33
The shock guy i used to get all my info from has passed away so i gota turn to the forums..

Andy Maul or Lazarus?

#13 Reply
Posted by El Diablo on 19 Oct, 2015 20:35
Quote from: Patman13mia on 18 Oct, 2015 18:13
What do you mean by using a half link chain?

On industrial applications, you can find what is called a "Half Link", which only uses 1 valley of a sprocket instead of 2 valleys like a normal full link uses. It's for fine tuning chain length if you run out of adjustment using normal methods to take up the slack. I'm not 100% certain that they are available for 520 chain though. Most hardware stores, industrial supply stores, and home/farm/ranch stores should have these in inventory.

#14 Reply
Posted by Sublunacy on 21 Oct, 2015 09:05
yea farmers like half link chains and lately all the high end bmx have been using half link chains aswell.
- you could also add 1 tooth to the sprocket wich does allmost the same thing i think.
- my point is im sure the carrier can go a half inch closer to the engine if some metal is removed from the carrier- and slot the bolt holes further.

#16 Reply
Posted by Patman13mia on 22 Oct, 2015 00:56
Well i got the -2 swingarm welded up and it sure is short!! Cant wait to try it out but i can already tell ill be on the back wheels the entire time.. So next im gona make a -1 length and then a stock length and compare all the three so ppl will have some kind of info to go off of.. I cant find anything on shorter swingers for the lt's.. Ice racers and tt guys would like some info im sure.. I can tell ya that a -2 wont work with heel gaurds!!! Ill post pics up if it will allow me to

#18 Reply
Posted by Sublunacy on 22 Oct, 2015 08:53
side view with mounted rider please.
-good job guy-it would look nice in blue........