Bent Swingarm CBR250RR

[CB ARGH]

Hey guys,

My bike failed the frame check, which isn't good, obviously.

According to Alex the inspector, the swingarm is bent 7mm to the left, the wheels are both pointing DEAD STRAIGHT, however they are not in line (just like two cars in different lanes facing the same way, their both facing the same way, however one is not directly behind the other, it's to the side).

...my options are:

- Get the swingarm/frame professionally bent back into place, this will cost $350-500 ish...
- Get a second hand swingarm and take the risk that it could possibly be bent, this will cost around $150

or I could be a cheeky bastard.

If the wheel is over to the left, couldn't I flick a spacer from the right hand side of the back wheel over to the left? That way it will move the wheel over. Of course I would have to re-adjust the brake callipers and sprocket possibly, but it should get it straight... right?

[Ixion]

If the swing arm was bent it would have to be angled slightly , so it's hard to see how the wheel could be dead straight. Unless maybe someone has compensated somehow with the chain adjusters.

7mm is SFA, only a tid over 1/4" in real money. I'd check the shimming etc . How does he know it isnt the front out of line?

EDIT: Flick placidfemma a PM she had eactly the same problem. Maybe even the same guy ?

[CB ARGH]

If the swing arm was bent it would have to be angled slightly , so it's hard to see how the wheel could be dead straight. Unless maybe someone has compensated somehow with the chain adjusters.

7mm is SFA, only a tid over 1/4" in real money. I'd check the shimming etc . How does he know it isnt the front out of line?

EDIT: Flick placidfemma a PM she had eactly the same problem. Maybe even the same guy ?

No I saw it for myself. It's definately out of place. There is a chance that it can be the front, as the damage from the crash is at the front, however Alex the inspector said that the swingarm damage could be from a previous accident. I'll go measure the front wheels now actually and get back to you.

[Little Miss Trouble]

put it in the oven for half an hour at 220deg and fix it yourself

[CB ARGH]

put it in the oven for half an hour at 220deg and fix it yourself

Along with cooking my pride I could also throw your testicles in. Bit of flavouring and bon apatite, fried balls, only enough for a mouse to eat.

[CB ARGH]

Right.

Well I gave the front wheel a measure up and they're definately in line. I'm going to have a go this weekend and get the back wheel off to see if the spacers are on the wrong way, let's hope this is the case.

[Gubb]

If it were me, i'd buy a 2nd hand one from the Wreckers.

[CB ARGH]

If it were me, i'd buy a 2nd hand one from the Wreckers.

Yeah, that is an option, however there is the chance that the swingarm is bent, as usually if a bike is being sold at a wrecker's yard, it's been in a crash, which could include structural damage.

Why waste $150 ya know?

[Gubb]

True, if you ask if it's bent, and they say no, and you later find out it is, you can always get a full refund as it's not what they said it was.

Follow me? I can't.

[CB ARGH]

True, if you ask if it's bent, and they say no, and you later find out it is, you can always get a full refund as it's not what they said it was.

Follow me? I can't.

Yeah that could work. I'd have to obtain a written guarantee that it is straight and true.

[Gubb]

Couldn't hurt, I can't imagine a Wrecker would refuse to sign something. No sign, no sale.

If it is bent, he's back where he started, no loss to him, if it's straight, he makes a sale.

[scracha]

Yeah, that is an option, however there is the chance that the swingarm is bent, as usually if a bike is being sold at a wrecker's yard, it's been in a crash, which could include structural damage.

Why waste $150 ya know?

Most crashes stack the front end....swingarms are rarely bent. Should be $hitloads of them out there. More likely the frame is bent.

[FROSTY:Me]

7mm is quite a bit.
I'd reccomend getting the man to get it straight prpperly.
Otherwise you might pick up a mm or two from your front axle
then a couple of mm with different shims on the rear
The main issue is that the chain needs to run straight or itll cause all sortsa problems. the rear caliper aint such an issue but does need to be treated with respect when moving it

[R6_kid:Me]

Along with cooking my pride I could also throw your testicles in. Bit of flavouring and bon apatite, fried balls, only enough for a mouse to eat.

Heh, last time i checked the only balls she had were mine...

I've just finished doing a GSXR1000k3... $150 is nothing for a second hand swing arm, get it and see if it works, its only going to get better or worse, assuming it gets better (or even 100% corrected) then sweet, you've got a swingarm with no structural damage - not all bikes at the wreckers have been stacked, sometimes it just makes more sense financially to break a bike up rather than to repair it and sell it.

Get it straightened and it's always going to have been tweaked, I know they're built relatively strong, but it could prove to have that tweak as a weak point in the future.

At least by having the second swingarm you can compare the two, you're also probably going to need new swinging arm bushings/bearings if the rear end has been bashed.

[CB ARGH]

Heh, last time i checked the only balls she had were mine...

Pfft... I'm bummed then.

Cheers for your help mate, I might give the local wreckers a call. Any reccommendations in the West Auckland area? All that I have is the yellow pages, and I can imagine there is far more then just the few listed here.