Who would be interested in single side swingarm kits?

[makenzie71]

Well, I build these for the Suzuki TL1000S and TL1000R and I was considering whipping something up for the GS crowd.  The swingarm won't be the cast piece pictured below; it'll be a tubular steel piece that will utilyze the stock shock assembly (look at the Le Mans swingarm for a styling cue).  the only problem forseen is that the wheels I have available are 5.5" and bigger...which means that you'll be stuck running a 170~190 series tire.  This isn't exactly a problem, but it won't be for everyone.

I can already say that bolt in, ready to roll kits are going to run at least $890 (shipping domestic) but I can forsee expenses running close to $11xx for various items.  The base kit would come with the Brembo wheel shown below, but I can offer a 5-spoke Marchesini for an additional fee.  Kits will include a Brembo rear caliper.  Kits will require that a GS swingarm be exchanged (core, but not an expensive one).

Anyway, here's the current offering from Mak's Kitchen:



Wit the TL I completely replace the stock suspension for something infinitely superior...





Let me know what you guys think.

[My Name Is Dave]

Is there a benefit to a SSSA other than looks? $1000 is steeeeeeeeeep.

I understand that you can't sell them at a loss, but I just can't see people putting that kinda money into...well, this kinda bike.

Dave

[makenzie71]

Adjustable wheel base and the TL lost 11lbs (7lbs from the rotating assembly).  Not sure how much the rotating assembly and swingarm weigh on the GS, though.  Resale value goes up a bit.  Other than that it's primarilly looks...I'm sure things like the larger rotor, superior (and gold) rear caliper, larger availabillity of sticky tires, the nifty exclusivity, vast selection of alternate wheels (including lots of carbon fiber and magnesium bits) and such will come to me later.

$890 isn't really that steep...especially for this variety of modification.  In the world of sssa's I'm as cheap as it gets...unless you're a machinest and have good sources.

[TadMC]

I think it'd be sweet, freaking sweet, but how hard is it to do (put on) And hell I'd even put it on my bike

[makenzie71]

Installation on the TL is about as difficult as it can be...you have to remove 11 bolts just to get the stock suspension componentry out.  Then you have to pull the exhaust and then break a couple of hanging brackets off the seat and tank catches to relocate various sensors.  Then brake the chain, rear brake line and several other tedious bits.  Then aligning the pivot bolt can be a real pain in the ass because of the varience in size between the bolt, bearings and frame lugs.  This all takes about 2 hours and 4 beers if you actually work and have all the tools there and clean shaZam! as you go, and a complete ametuer can do it with zero experience (I watched one do it).

With the GS, you'd pull the swingarm/shock link bolt, rear break line, chain, and pivot bolt out then take the old swingarm out.  Then stick the new swingarm in and put it all back together like you took it apart.  About 5 million fewer steps and I could do it when I was 5...with my plastic craftsmen play-tool set.

[NiceGuysFinishLast]

I want one.. just not sure if I could afford it.. but SSSA is beautiful!

[werase643]

Mak,
you smoking the good stuff....
1  it's over 100 bucks....ya just lost 95 %
2  900-1100...that is the $ of a gs to most...here

i hope you sell one
so you don't completly waste all your time

[makenzie71]

So you've never bought anything over $100 for your bike?

It's something I do...at no time would it be a "waste of time"...so I'm not really out anything.  Anyone who wants one now has the option.

[TadMC]

Im interested but i have some questions.

Are  you making these yourself.

If so, how .... Safe are they.

that would be my only concern

that and the difficulty to put it on.

Also other than looking totally sweet, what would be the benefit to having a sssa

[makenzie71]

They'll be safe but with any significant suspension modification I would suggest frequent inspections.

Installation would be a synch, though.

there's not going to be a lot of benefits...check out my previous post for a few ideas.

[TadMC]

God F*&king damnit, I want one but Im going to have to save up the money. I'd honestly sell my left testicle for one of those

I think I would give the GS some serious street cred.... Did i say "street cred"

[melloGS]

I might have someone that is interested...he rides a 97 TL100S...apparently his swingarm is bent from all the torque those mugs push. He's never crashed it or laid it down. one side of his swingarm is an inch lower than the other side...so he might be interested. I'll pitch it to him for him and then collect my incentive for the sale

[makenzie71]

Hit up the link in my sig for pricing and details.  I'd really like to have another TL1000S customer lined up.

[tkm433]

Adjustable wheel base and the TL lost 11lbs (7lbs from the rotating assembly).  Not sure how much the rotating assembly and swingarm weigh on the GS, though.  Resale value goes up a bit.  Other than that it's primarilly looks...I'm sure things like the larger rotor, superior (and gold) rear caliper, larger availabillity of sticky tires, the nifty exclusivity, vast selection of alternate wheels (including lots of carbon fiber and magnesium bits) and such will come to me later.

$890 isn't really that steep...especially for this variety of modification.  In the world of sssa's I'm as cheap as it gets...unless you're a machinest and have good sources.

The price sounds fair if it is a bolt-on-and-ride conversion but just a few questions???

You state an advantage to be an adjustable wheel base?  How do you adjust the wheel base and I hope your answer does not refer to the eccentric hub adjuster that I guess that you are using on your swingarm.  I guess that you are using an eccentric adjuster to deal with chain adjustment as is the case with every single-sided arm that I have seen so is that what you call adjustable wheel base?  Yes, the eccentric adjuster has the ability to play with ride height which is a plus over standard type rear adjustments but I do not see how you have adjustable wheel base?  In order to change wheel base you will also have to change chain length.     

As you stated you are currently able to find wheels that will allow the use of 180mm and 190mm rear tires and the stock GS500 rear tire is 130mm and with anything wider than 160mm the chain alignment becomes an issue.  Chain alignment is a major issue and one that could only be overcome with the use of an off set front sprocket which I do not even know if one is out there to be had that would fit the GS500 out put shaft and if so how much would one set you back $$$$ ?

Why does anyone need a larger rear brake rotor or better rear caliper??  The GS500 has more rear braking power than it will ever need as does any current production bike on the market today.  Yes, it might look better but that is all. 

Now I think it would look look great on most any bike if you could overcome some of the alignment issue but that could be done with the use of a Honda NT650 which was designed to use a 150 or 160 tire.

[makenzie71]

You state an advantage to be an adjustable wheel base?  How do you adjust the wheel base and I hope your answer does not refer to the eccentric hub adjuster that I guess that you are using on your swingarm.  I guess that you are using an eccentric adjuster to deal with chain adjustment as is the case with every single-sided arm that I have seen so is that what you call adjustable wheel base?  Yes, the eccentric adjuster has the ability to play with ride height which is a plus over standard type rear adjustments but I do not see how you have adjustable wheel base?  In order to change wheel base you will also have to change chain length.

The eccentric and clamp I use with the TL allow nearly 2.25" of adjustment either way.  I'm not sure how much of the same stuff I can apply to the GS setup as I'll have to fab the arm it's self in this case.  If adjustment isn't going to be feasable, then the arm will just be made to a specific length.  If smoeone wants a slightly longer arm, they can have it...and vice versa for anyone who wants to quicken steering.

As you stated you are currently able to find wheels that will allow the use of 180mm and 190mm rear tires and the stock GS500 rear tire is 130mm and with anything wider than 160mm the chain alignment becomes an issue.  Chain alignment is a major issue and one that could only be overcome with the use of an off set front sprocket which I do not even know if one is out there to be had that would fit the GS500 out put shaft and if so how much would one set you back $$$$ ?

Chian adjustment is a problem with stock wheels because they don't allow as much movement in the chain (sprocket and wheel are designed for that tire...running wider obviously rubs).  The eccentric and axle assemblies I use make it impossible for tire/chain interference to be an issue with up to a 210mm tire.  The chain will likely be up to 15mm further out if you want to go with the monstrous 190, but I've run 25mm strung on my bike before getting the bolt on TL1000 kits ready and I saw zero ill effects in over 1000 miles...other than a slight change in my normal sprocket wear pattern.  Chain aligment won't be an issue.

Why does anyone need a larger rear brake rotor or better rear caliper??

Who needs it?  No one.  Who gets it?  Anyone who buys the kit.  Beefier brakes may not always be needed, but benefit is always there...and it's not like I'm going to machine the discs down and fab up new hangers when OEM parts will work.

Now I think it would look look great on most any bike if you could overcome some of the alignment issue but that could be done with the use of a Honda NT650 which was designed to use a 150 or 160 tire.

The problem with the NT650 swingarm is that~

A...it's aluminum.  Zero play for modification and modification is a must to fit it in the GS.

B...There's only 1100 of them in the United States (give ro take a few).

C...Of those 1100, every spare one I can find will go toward my market kits for the TL's.

The custom swingarm is a superior route because:

A...the stock swingarm is made of steel and can be modified easily, making the stock pivot very useable.

B...there's about 8 trillion stock swingarms in the United States.

C...it's about $371 cheaper than going with the NT swingarm (trust me on the number...I'd give an inch off my manhood to be able to say to hell with the NT swinger for the TL kits).

[bubba zanetti]

It's a shame that getting one across the pond would be too dear, I reckon that a SSSA would be the mutts nuts on a GS.

Looks like I'm going to have to stick with putting a SV650 shock in the back.

Good luck with 'em Mak.

[makenzie71]

I'm still unclear as to why everyone thinks international shipping is so difficult...

I could send a kit to Europe or Australia for less than $100 in freight costs...if you're willing to wait 4~6 weeks, it'll ship for $20.  4~6 days would be like $60~70 and 3~4 days would be probably in the $100 area.

[Mandres]

Looks pretty nice but too rich for my blood.  For $1000+ I bet your only real market is 500cc class racers but most of them will be on the EX500 anyway.  Good luck though!

-M

[makenzie71]

lol...available to those guys, too.

[bubba zanetti]

I'm still unclear as to why everyone thinks international shipping is so difficult...

I could send a kit to Europe or Australia for less than $100 in freight costs...if you're willing to wait 4~6 weeks, it'll ship for $20.  4~6 days would be like $60~70 and 3~4 days would be probably in the $100 area.

Those prices are resonable. Just going by what some of the charges are for national freight & took a guesstimate for international freight. 

Have you got one made up yet?