RF600 Swingarm. Pros?

[OrTahor]

Hi. So turns out one of the remaining local RF600s here bit the bullet and got junked! The junker gave me a call and said I can take any part I want from it for extra cheap (or entire bike for 500 US$, engine is pristine. fairings are done).

While I was searching on here and the www, I found several posts by Jim Knopf here about swapping the swingarm with a Bandit or an RF swingarm.
The instruction given by Jim can be found at www.gs-500.info (translated version - http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.gs-500.info/index.php%3Ftitle%3DBandit_600_rocker_in_GS&usg=ALkJrhgwsOubfwABk2drAHFP4NzI-6CpFg). Seems pretty straightforward, dont think Ill run into problems.

I can take the entire rear end of the RF600 for something like 50-100 US$ (need to haggle), including wheel, swingarm, rear caliper, shock, etc...
I was wondering if anyone knows if there is any weight savings between the RF600 and GS500 swingarms? Also, how stronger is the RF600 swingarm? I dont care about tire sizes so much, more about weight and strength rigidity.

Can anyone advice on the subject?

[burning1]

Quick search reveals that the RF600 is a steel frame, so the weight is probably about the same as the stock GS500 swingarm. Main benefit would be the wider rear wheel, which would give a bigger range of radial race and sport touring tires.

[OrTahor]

Right thanks. I guess I should have looked myself if its steel or alloy. Ill go take a look at it anyway. If its real sexy Ill take it anyway

[weedahoe]

The bigger question is can you make it fit and work?

[OrTahor]

The bigger question is can you make it fit and work?

check the link I provided - http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=de&tl=en&u=http://www.gs-500.info/index.php%3Ftitle%3DBandit_600_rocker_in_GS&usg=ALkJrhgwsOubfwABk2drAHFP4NzI-6CpFg

Cant call that hard or above my skills. Seems like Bandit 600, RF600, RF900 are relatively easy swap. I think the Bandit 1200 is also feasible. The only thing Ill need to really look out for is chain alignment. As the link suggests, I think making a spacer for the front GS sprocket to match the offset of the chain is going to be the easiest solution for me.

I would only really be interested in a swingarm swap if I can reduce weight and increase rigidity. But like I said, If I can get it for real cheap and it looks good, I may just buy the whole rear end and store till I get another project GS to play with

[wayne242]

If you do it, post pictures of the process

[Higgins13]

Sounds like a simple way to get a bigger tire.