Swing Arm Spool Brackets

[lanesplitter]

So I'm thinking that I want to replace the stock exhaust can with a GP style unit and that means I need to remove the center stand.  If I remove the center stand then I have no way to easily and quickly raise the backend for chain adjustments and other maintenance.  That led to me designing a bracket that can be attached to the swing arm so I can install spools.  The brackets would attach by drilling two holes in the bottom of the swing arm for two 6mm hex head bolts on each side just in front of the axle blocks.  The bolts would be secured by nuts and washers on the inside of the swing arm.

I know that the rule of thumb is never drill a hole in a swing arm.  I'm not an engineer but looking at it through the eye of experience I don't think the holes will degrade the integrity of the swing arm enough to be a concern.

Now you know the background so here's the question – would anyone be interested in buying something like this?  In order to get this part produced I need to order at least 50 sets (100 pieces).  The cost of machining just one set would be completely ridiculous.  They would be machined out of 2024 T351 aluminum, which is the same material car wheels are made out of.  They would go for about $35 - $39 plus shipping per set including mounting hardware, and yes I would be making a little profit.

Thanks in advance for your input.   

[zirconx]

I'm not interested myself, but I think eventually you could sell 50 sets.  Maybe in 1-3 years time.  I would list them on Ebay, too.

[sledge]

I would make it uber-easy for myself and buy a universal paddock stand, one that employs adjustable channels to support the swinger and doesnt need brackets or bobbins......oh hang on, I already, did several years ago, it looks something like this one  

http://www.mandp.co.uk/productinfo/212591/Workshop/Universal-Paddock-Stands/MotoGP

But if you want the "race look"......and cost and practicality dont matter, go right ahead.

If you are looking for a nice little venture based on machined aluminium parts for the GS5 I think items like fork braces, brake fluid reservoir lids, rear sets and foot pegs, chain adjuster plates, bar-ends, aircraft styleeee tank-caps etc would be a better option  

[burning1]

Pitbull already sells weld-on spool tabs. Take your bike to the local welder, and you're ready to go in 10-15 minutes. The other option is to use a traditional tabbed rear-stand -- no spools required.

[tt_four]

I don't see too many issues with drilling some little holes into the swingarm right there. The axle already goes through a big hole in the swingarm. Instead of normal nuts you could also drill and install some Rivnuts in the holes, although that would require drilling bigger holes. While I still think welding some mounts onto your swingarm would be the best way to go as far as using spools, buying a normal rear stand is definitely the best overall way to go.

You could potentially also just install some larger 8-10mm rivnuts, and then pick up some of the $10 swingarm spools from harbor freight and just bolt them right to the outside of the swingarm. I guess you could also just install them with a normal nut and bolt like you were talking about before too.

[redhenracing2]

I use a standard swingarm style stand, even though my bike has spools this kind is usable on it and on mom's ninja. $40 at Harbor Freight.

I guess if you really wanna be a pioneer, then you can try it that way.

[tt_four]

You could potentially also just install some larger 8-10mm rivnuts, and then pick up some of the $10 swingarm spools from harbor freight and just bolt them right to the outside of the swingarm. I guess you could also just install them with a normal nut and bolt like you were talking about before too.

Now that I've thought about it, I'd probably not use this idea. Mounting the spools to the side of the swingarm would just try to twist the metal on the side of the swingarm. You could weld a thin steel plate to the side of the swingarm for support, then it wouldn't be as bad, but I don't think I'd just attach them right to the side of it. Just grab the $40 HF stand. I have one and it works fine. It's slightly flimsy just because the GSs swingarm is so skinny that the arms have to be extended all the way. I didn't feel comfortable leaving my GS up on it for extended periods of time, or sitting on my bike while it was on the stand, but it worked fine for normal maintenance.

[GI_JO_NATHAN]

I love my pitbull track stand, works great. I almost always leave the bike up on it. I have been wanting a center stand though to make it easier to get the front wheel off the ground. If you wanna sell yours cheap let me know.

[lanesplitter]

Thanks for the replies everyone.  While I like the idea of adding a little racy and functional bling to the GS it sounds like the overwhelming popular opinion is that it's not worth the effort or cost.  That being the case I'll shop around for a local shop that might be willing to machine a prototype for a "reasonable" fee.

[tt_four]

Since the swingarm is steel, I think it'd be pretty easy to get someone to drill, tap, and weld a round piece onto a flat piece of steel that you can just bolt to your swingarm, or just weld it straight to the swingarm. Let us know what you come up with!