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Author Topic: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r  (Read 1897 times)

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Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« on: October 05, 2015, 04:33:32 pm »
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!! 

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #1 on: October 05, 2015, 05:45:08 pm »
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? 
1980  HONDA EXPRESS      NC50
1981  HONDA EXPRESS II   NA50
1985  SUZUKI LT250R        QUADRACER
1987  SUZUKI LT230EH      (WINTER PROJECT)
1987  SUZUKI LT230EH      (DONOR QUAD)
2013. HONDA TRX450ER     TRAILER QUEEN

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #2 on: October 05, 2015, 07:40:50 pm »
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

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2015, 02:28:55 pm »
iff the leverage ratio stays the same the shock spring rate and damping can stay the same.

concerning the linkage the stroke should be measured and compare it to the swingarm. 

 hence if you can find a spot on the swingarm where both the stroke and leverage ratio dont change you are good.
if either changes the spring and damping will have to be tuned.
----

i can see u wanting a shorter swinger. my lt250 lays really flat and light on the rear end.  the lt500 seemed better to me - i figured it had a taller CG
and more weight.

i like both but i like the 250 low cg and lightness better.  i throw it around with one hand. the 500 slays my back. i only weigh 160.
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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2015, 03:16:36 pm »
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.

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #5 on: October 07, 2015, 04:48:17 pm »
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. 
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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2015, 07:03:07 pm »
I would not go less than -2, i have that on my ice bikes and less makes them extremly wheelie happy.

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2015, 01:52:07 pm »
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 ?

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #8 on: October 08, 2015, 07:24:48 pm »
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.

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #9 on: October 16, 2015, 08:19:34 am »
what about just useing a half link chain and run the rear axle as far in as possible.
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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #10 on: October 18, 2015, 06:13:56 pm »
What do you mean by using a half link chain?

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #11 on: October 19, 2015, 04:28:13 am »
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?


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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #12 on: October 19, 2015, 09:15:43 am »
Andy maul!!! Really good guy!!

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #13 on: October 19, 2015, 08:35:31 pm »
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.
Brian
1988 Suzuki LT-250R (The HPR test mule)
1987 Suzuki LT-500R
1990 Suzuki LT-500R
1982 Honda ATC-185S
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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #14 on: October 21, 2015, 09:05:53 am »
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.

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #15 on: October 21, 2015, 09:48:55 am »
don't use a half link. get a different rear sprocket to take up the 1 link gap.

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #16 on: October 22, 2015, 12:56:18 am »
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

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #17 on: October 22, 2015, 12:59:19 am »
Rear wheels rubbing heel gaurds

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #18 on: October 22, 2015, 08:53:32 am »
side view with mounted rider please. :)
 -good job guy-it would look nice in blue........:)
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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #19 on: October 22, 2015, 01:11:40 pm »
Andy maul!!! Really good guy!!

I was talking to Andy about building me a custom set of fronts for my 2+2s, now Drew Cox his shop guy has taken over the business.  Not exactly sure how much he knows or what type of a business man he is but I did order the shocks from Drew and I am waiting to see if/how they turn out.

I'll post it up if/ when they get here.


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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #20 on: October 22, 2015, 05:26:19 pm »
Here is a side view

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #21 on: October 22, 2015, 05:28:00 pm »
A view from above

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Re: Shortened swingarm on 91 lt250r
« Reply #22 on: December 31, 2015, 09:20:07 am »
Andy maul!!! Really good guy!!

I was talking to Andy about building me a custom set of fronts for my 2+2s, now Drew Cox his shop guy has taken over the business.  Not exactly sure how much he knows or what type of a business man he is but I did order the shocks from Drew and I am waiting to see if/how they turn out.

I'll post it up if/ when they get here.


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