Homemade A-arms good/bad?

[400exstud]

I have access to good pro. welders and was wondering if it would be a good idea to have them make me a set of flat track/TT a-arms. I have never raced and can't afford the high prices so I was wondering if they should be able to hold up if I do my homework and get the demensions perfected. They shouldn't take much abuse because of flat track right?

Just give your opinion. Good idea or am I a retard.

[04'400ex'er]

HMMMMMM... I dunno about that one? They better be the same on both sides and well thought out and prepared. Thats all I've got to say. or your bike is gonna pull to one side. I'd almost cut the stock arms and extend them with tubing before I'd try to create some from scratch.

[Sportrax10]

If they are well thought out, it could probably be done.

Id model them off of an existing company.

[sjc115]

The guys who sell them for $700+ a set started off by making them from scratch. If you have people with the fabrication skills willing to help, go for it!

[sled_ed 300ex]

you are a retard !!!!

Just kiding it would probably work but it would have to be realy precise cuz if there a little short or long it will put some tension on your frame and other parts.
If you do it let me know how it works!!

[44oEX]

well it'S not only holding up. The geometry was to be perfect, if not you will have bad handling. You can get used a-arms for around 200$

[quadrcr161]

Originally posted by 44oEX
well it'S not only holding up. The geometry was to be perfect, if not you will have bad handling. You can get used a-arms for around 200$

exactly, you have to figure out the range of travel, caster and camber. the companies selling them have already figured that out. you just cant go and make a set of a-arms, you have to have the correct measurments or your quad will be uncontrolleable.

[ajr400ex]

There is alot of work that goes into the design if done correctly. A good cad program and the ability to properely measure the quad. Usually builders build a few sets and test fit make changes, etc. before a product is ready for production. It is a whole lot easier to buy them. If you have the design skills and the energy - go for it.

[hondaracer3x]

it took me about a week to make these, it isn't very hard
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/pde147a85df2df107f5a695587888ac05/f9b47edc.jpg

[400exstud]

WOW hondaracer3x. Those are incredible!!! Was it all that hard. How do they work?

[hondaracer3x]

they worked very good but i am now making new aarms that will be more adjustable, when i am done i will post pics

[PBlackmon]

that probably has to be the best A-arm setup I've ever seen!!:eek2: You need to make some for me;)

[sled_ed 300ex]

man hondaracer3x does are awesome keep up the good work!!!

[duke416ex]

I wouldn't worry so much about cad programs and everything like that. Alo tof these people started out before they even had those programs, and I am sure several of them don't use them now. I would just be sure to use adjustable balljoints that way you will have some adjustment. The flattracking will give more abuse than you think but I think you will be ok, as long as it is a good welder putting them together. That aarm set up is awesome hondaracer3x. What are you going to do with those arms when you make the new ones, and what widht are they?

[hondaracer3x]

i am going to keep them for now, they are +3+1

[GP400]

Those A-Arms look great hondaracer3x. I would like to give it a shot just to see if I could do it. I know the specs have to be correct but I think manufacturers try to make it appear harder than it really is. Are you willing to share the specs? In return I could put them into Autocad for you.

[dezertfreak]

i made these myself. it took me about 2 days, including the building of the jig.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/dezertfreak/quads002.jpg



http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y26/dezertfreak/quads001.jpg

[Vtr_Racing]

Those are great A Arms. Nice job on both sets.

[2muchquad]

nice job on the a arms guys,both of you!NOW that i seen it could be done i may try it when i get time.i always thought about making some +4 +2 a arms.im impressed guys keep fire burning for us "shade tree" engineers with minds of our own to go against the grain..:D

[drifterx]

Dirtmomma has custom +3 a-arms on her 300ex. I saw a post she wrote a while ago, and she said she had her welder/fabricator chop the stock 300 a-arms, and add to them, move the shock mounts, and such. She also said they worked great, and i've seen her racing shots. Must work great, she seems to be rippin it up!

[44oEX]

Originally posted by drifterx
Dirtmomma has custom +3 a-arms on her 300ex. I saw a post she wrote a while ago, and she said she had her welder/fabricator chop the stock 300 a-arms, and add to them, move the shock mounts, and such. She also said they worked great, and i've seen her racing shots. Must work great, she seems to be rippin it up!

Well that work good it you do flat track like she does. Buy it you want to just DON`T excend the stock a-arms they won`t hold up to the abuse. Aftermarket a-arms have to be made of chromoly to be srong enough

[EX_Junkie]

I've been toying with this idea. I have access to a tig welder and all the materials only thing i'm trying to figure out is bending the tubing. What did u guys use.

[yamablaster24]

with an experienced tig welder and some chromoly you can do anything :eek2:

[roostin_dale]

Originally posted by hondaracer3x
it took me about a week to make these, it isn't very hard
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid102/pde147a85df2df107f5a695587888ac05/f9b47edc.jpg

That is NICE man. BUt i have a question. I see your sig says:


Gift frame w/CR250 motor, Gift+3+1 a-arms, +1 s-arm, +1 steering stem, Tag T2 bars, powermadd handguards, axis fr. shocks, ohlins rr shock, RPM axle, RPM fr hubs, Renthal 520 chain, braking wave rotors, gibson steering dampner, AC nerfs, grab bar, fr bumper, ITP wheels, red maier plastic, FMF exhaust

Since you made the a-arms and they are "gift" arms does that mean you made the frame, singwer, and stem since they are all "gift" also? juts curios, nice job though!

[hondaracer3x]

yes, i made the frame, swingarm and steering stem also

[roostin_dale]

Originally posted by hondaracer3x
yes, i made the frame, swingarm and steering stem also

Thats awesome! Ever thought of opening a buisness? because your quality looks nice!

Did you just modify gibson or did you start from scratch on eveyrthing, including the frame?

once again, nice job!

[hondaracer3x]

i started from scratch on everything

[EX_Junkie]

What do u use to bend the tubing.

[hondaracer3x]

12 ton hydraulic pipe bender

[EX_Junkie]

You think this one would work.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=32888

[2muchquad]

i have that exact pipe bender from harbor freight in Austintown.yeah its made in china but for $79 it does the job for me..:)

[hondaracer3x]

i used the same bender to bend tubes for my a-arms, frame and swingarm

[400exrida06]

do you think it would be a bad idea to modify the stock a-arms? If you do will you still be able to race without getting in trouble because they could be considered dangerous lol and do you think they would be able to handle all the abuse thanks.

[quaddy87]

i'm really really impressed. to be able to make that stuff you gotta be very talented. Niiiiiice!!

[250-R-250]

I think I remember seeing something about that quad, it was along time ago and you had this adjustable setting to move the shocks up and down? Is this that quad? Get some full shots. I am very interested in the quad. Not in buying it, I just like knowing how you accomplish something like that. You must have some serious talent. Not like these companies that use 20000$ + Equipment to make there frames. Good job.

[250-R-250]

Nevermind, I went and found some here is his quad. WoW
http://www.exriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=169352

[WhiteYFZ]

let the pros do it, and just get some walsh's

im gonna build some, all it is , is a little bit of cutting and a little bit of welding.

[400exrida06]

Are you going to just add on the stock ones or build a pair from scratch?