Wanted: Piece of 10mm diameter high tensile steel

**davebullet** · 7th January 2010, 06:21

I thought I'd post in maintenance, rather than bike trader.

I need to take the weight off the swingarm for replacing the rear shock. I can either do that via suspending the rear frame of the bike from the roof (not practical), or by using axle stands and running some steel through the swingarm pivot to support the bike.

I need something that is pretty rigid, about 60cm in length and about 10mm in diameter.

Any suggestions? (what to get and where to get it?)

(Gee the above could be taken out of context... but I know KBers aren't like that)

**boman** · 7th January 2010, 09:17

Would a piece of rebar do it?? Its pretty cheap, is approxamately the size you want? Or try an engineering firm, they will possibly have what you want.

**nallac** · 7th January 2010, 10:05

Can't you use a jack or two and block the sidestand up?. Thats how i did it on the R1.

**chester** · 7th January 2010, 20:39

Mitre 10 sells 10mm steel bar

**quickbuck** · 7th January 2010, 20:51

High Tensile you say?
Hell what are you going to be doing on the SV with the shock out.

Normal Mild steel bar will do... Hell, even a broom handle between two tables under the rear will do.

Center stands help too.... I had my track bike suspended from the roof yesterday with the shock out, then went around to my mates and he just put his on the center stand and removed his....

**davebullet** · 8th January 2010, 06:51

Thanks for the replies. I am probably over-engineering things going high tensile. I was looking at threaded rod at bunnings and that mild steel is easy to bend in your hand, so didn't want it bowing under the bike's weight.

There will probably be a good proportion of the bike's weight (est. 120kg+) on this contraption, so I want it to be secure. I will be giving the bike a good clean with the shock out, which means getting under it so don't want any risk of it dropping on my arms etc... Not as bad as a car dropping, but I don't muck around when working under any vehicle.

The SV doesn't have a centre stand (otherwise ideal). I've got one side covered via a frame bolt I replaced when the frame sliders went in. The other side is 9.5mm diameter, so <=9mm will have to do.

**Bender** · 8th January 2010, 07:28

Stainless steel yacht rigging would do the job.

**davebullet** · 8th January 2010, 12:44

Thanks guys.

Ended up buying a M10 150mm bolt from Mitre 10 and recycled the frame bolt. Using both bolts from either side in this arrangement over axlestands.

To get it up on the stands, I used my paddock stand on some planks to get the extra height, then lowered onto the axle stands.