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Buell Forum » Old School Buell » S2 Thunderbolt » Archive through July 15, 2014 » Pre recall Swingarm... « Previous Next »

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Lynrd
Posted on Friday, December 27, 2013 - 12:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I managed to run down some of the original parts for Gloria (aka #202) . In the pile was the original, pre-recall swing arm. It is built quite differently from the ones I am used to seeing - it is welded up of straight rectangular tube, not bent like every other I have seen. This meant a lot more welding, and brake anchor channel is on top of the left side rather than in the swing arm.

I know these were recalled - but I like the workmanship and the "slightly weird" factor of the first style. A little cruising the archives and the web led me to this:

Defect Summary: Vehicle description: motorcycles. These motorcycles were built with a swingarm that could break.

Consequence: If the swingarm should break, loss of vehicle control could occur.

How to Fix: Dealers will replace the swing arm.

and in the archives, someone said that it was because the welds are not continuous, and so could potentially crack. Potentially, maybe, but has anyone ever heard of it happening? I have other swing arms, but of course I like the weird one best.
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Kc_zombie
Posted on Friday, December 27, 2013 - 04:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I am with you on the quirky factor. With that said, if it were me I would restore two arms, the the original and the recall versions.

Install the recall on the bike and hang the weird one on the wall as a great conversation piece...
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Screamer
Posted on Friday, December 27, 2013 - 07:53 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The recalled swingarms that I've seen that had failed, we're broken beside the weld (not the weld itself) that connects the arms to the bearing tubes. Don't install it.
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Jolly
Posted on Saturday, December 28, 2013 - 01:56 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

just out of curiosity... can you post a photo of the original swing arm? I would like to see the differences.
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Kmbuell
Posted on Saturday, December 28, 2013 - 11:58 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If you are interested in selling or trading it for a post recall one let me know by pm. I'm out of the country until January 10th, but have occasional Internet.
Kevin
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Mcelhaney14
Posted on Sunday, December 29, 2013 - 04:11 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

If the parts failed along side the weld it's more than likely that the swingarms were not heat treated after welding. I'm with the others on not running it but if you decide to, I would get it re heat treated to restore the strength to the material.
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Lynrd
Posted on Monday, December 30, 2013 - 01:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'll post pics of the swing arm once I get some significant computer problems out of the way - I'm down to just my small laptop that has none of my photo re-sizing tools.

KMbuell, got your PM and replied, we can discuss...

(Message edited by Lynrd on December 31, 2013)
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Lynrd
Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 - 09:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Here are some pic of the swing arm:


RightSidePreRecallSwingarm


Left Side of the swing arm - It looks to be made out of maybe 18 gauge - pretty lightweight. The non-contiguous welds look correct to me for that gusset - by not having a continuous bead, any cracks that form should stop before the part fails....in theory, anyway


Bottom


From the other side, you can see that wacky brake anchor run on top of the arm. It looks like the arms were built by notching a piece of rectangle tube, bending it, then welling it up and adding the support seen on the bottom


lt


And here is a view from the bottom showing the shock mount.
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Kc_zombie
Posted on Friday, January 03, 2014 - 10:12 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Are you sure that is not a RS / RSS arm? I don't know, just curious..
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1313
Posted on Saturday, January 04, 2014 - 12:39 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Are you sure that is not a RS / RSS arm?

If others aren't I'm sure it isn't an RS/RSS swingarm. The RS/RSS swingarm was powdercoated black. Sure you can change the powdercoat color. The RS/RSS swingarm had no provisions for mounting a rear inner fender or lower belt guard as neither never had neither.

S2 swingarms are also wider than an RS/RSS swingarm due to the belt drive vs. the RS/RSS chain drive.

I'm certain that is an OE S2 swingarm,
1313
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Court
Posted on Saturday, January 04, 2014 - 07:57 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

That is an S2 swing arm . . pre-call.

The RS/RSS was (correct me if I am wrong Brankin) a high gloss black.
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Lynrd
Posted on Saturday, January 04, 2014 - 11:24 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Because of the provenance of the swing arm - arriving with a S2 frame and other S2 unique parts, with a clear chain of ownership back to the guy who dismantled her for the Mutant Redneck Zombie Apocalypse, I had no question whether it was from an S2, and which S2 at that. It also looks exactly like the one shown in my (pretty early) copy of the S2 parts catalog.

The info re: the missing mounts and narrower width differentiating from an earlier Westwind arm may be helpful if cruising a swap meet and finding one. I just hope I NEVER find a Westwind swingarm at a swap meet unless the rest of the Westwind is attached to it.

I actually just sent another, post recall swing arm out for gloss black powder coat, ironically...but not for a Westwind.

(Message edited by Lynrd on January 04, 2014)
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Kc_zombie
Posted on Saturday, January 04, 2014 - 02:05 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Schooled! Thanks for the update.

Some of you may have thought it was a dumb question, but the dumbest questions are the ones not asked.
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