What's the point in doing this?

**placidfemme** · 31st August 2006, 12:16

I'm a bike picture whore so to say... everytime I see a picture of a bike that looks different, or kewl or whatever, and I havn't seen something like it before, I always save the picture, and now I have a rather large collection... but anyway

I've noticed that some bikes, which I'm assuming are all from the USA... they seem to have modified the swing-arm (or whatever) and it makes the back wheel further out than normal...

What is the point in doing that? Is is for drag's? (Which I don't see how it could be because those "modified" bikes look very "pretty" so I don't think the owners would risk damaging them...)

Does anyone know why they do it?

Pictures below to explain what I mean...

PF

**SwanTiger** · 31st August 2006, 12:18

Drags presumably, longer wheel base usually means better high speed stability (as far as I am aware).

**outlawtorn** · 31st August 2006, 12:21

bloody sport bike riders.......

only kidding guys

**McJim** · 31st August 2006, 12:21

Apparently they don't go in for corners in a big way in the states - hence getting an american Car/Bike to go round a corner is a bit of a chore.

these mods are made to racing bikes to bring their handling attributes back down to American standards - like Harleys and Boss Hoss thingumies.

Who knows?

**Edbear** · 31st August 2006, 12:22

Originally Posted by SwanTiger

Drags presumably, longer wheel base usually means better high speed stability (as far as I am aware).

And less likely to mono off the line, though it also reduces the weight on the rear tyre, so less traction. A common mod for drag racing mowadays is to tie the rear down with straps.

For these bikes, most likely for show.

**kiwifruit** · 31st August 2006, 12:27

its just wrong!

**Fishy** · 31st August 2006, 12:29

Drags and or looks, check out this beastie...

**Indiana_Jones** · 31st August 2006, 12:43

I think the swing arm mods look ugly as lol, though some of the paint jobs are very nice

-Indy

**placidfemme** · 31st August 2006, 12:56

Cheers all... So the common answer is for Drag's... I wouldn't spend that much money on my bike to drag it... but then again I'm all for the bling-ing of bikes... so yeah...

And yeah some of those paint jobs are bloody awesome...

I really love the pic's fishslayer posted!

Edit: Thanks to the mod who moved this into the right category... I'm sorry

**The_Dover** · 31st August 2006, 14:40

You should see Finn's paint job when he goes down the "drags"

He uses straps too, but up not down.

**Pwalo** · 31st August 2006, 14:55

There's probably no point. Remember they're American, so they've all been modified to be individual, but in a conformist fashion.

Whoops, must be time for a coffee.

**Shaun** · 31st August 2006, 15:12

Go down town Detroit over a weekend and you'll find about 1000 on the street at a time, all lined up, polished to hell, but going NOWHERE, and surrounded by some of the meanest looking Black dudes you will ever see

**The_Dover** · 31st August 2006, 15:16

Originally Posted by Shaun

Go down town Detroit over a weekend and you'll find about 1000 on the street at a time, all lined up, polished to hell, but going NOWHERE, and surrounded by some of the meanest looking Black dudes you will ever see

don't forget your tazer.

**pritch** · 31st August 2006, 15:32

There was an article in one of the Brit bike mags about the big underground drag scene in the states. Speed, all sorts of "macho" posturing, drugs, and guns. You'd need to feel lucky...