+1 Swingarm?

[Blodg]

Looking for input from anyone who has one or has tried it. I think the Laeger may be + 1 1/4" and I think the Houser is +1" It should help keep the front end down on a modified motor and would make the wheelbase closer to a 250R and 450R but I have not ridden with one.

Yes I plan to have the rear shock reworked if I decide to install the +1 swingarm. Also looking at adding the GT Thunder XC link along with the +1 swingarm.

[DragonGunner]

I have a Lonestar 1.25" swinger, had the rear shock redone also, it was one of the last things I did.......it should of been one of the first things I did. I have 2 quads with the Lonestar swinger, one stock length an the other longer one....I almost detest riding the stocker length swinger anymore, its like day and night.

[426kidz]

I have an extended JB and I love the difference. keeps everything nice and level,lol

[JOHNDOE83]

A trx 450r swingarm is +1 and 1/4.

I bought a complete 450r swingarm, carrier, axle, hubs the whole 9 yards for $275 shipped to my door.

I have seen alot of good lonestar and houser's for cheap also.

Anyway, sometimes you can find 450r parts cheaper just keep in mind a +1, 450r swinger is a +2 and 1/4 400ex swingarm.

I made that mistake when I bought my extended swinger for drag racing, I wanted +7 400ex and since it was actually a 450r swinger it came +8 and 1/4.

[ansimation]

With the stock length swinger when you do a wheelie and go too far backwards the grab bar will catch and prevent you from going over backwards. Put that to the test on the pavement the other day... Anyway... If you go with a longer swinger, will it still stop you from going over?

[JOHNDOE83]

Now thats a good question!!!

I would like to know that also?

[Mtndew99]

It should stop you but I have a lodestar 1 1/4 and gt thunder xc link and at my race I don't think the front end came up at all the whole race even the holeshot but it made a huge different it handles amazing

[426kidz]

Only one way too find out!:blah:

[Blodg]

I went out and did some measuring yesterday and was a little suprised with what I found. My 400EX stock swingarm measures 18 1/4" from the centerline of the pivot bolt to the CL of the axle and the stock length Laeger swingarm on my '88 250R frame measured 18 1/2". But from the pivot bolt to the front hubs measured 29" on the 400EX and 30 1/2" on the 250R so the longer wheelbase is mostly coming from the front half of the chassis.

Honda has been back-and-forth on the length of the swingarm on their sport quads:
'86-'87 250R = 19 1/2"
'88-'89 250R = 18 1/2"
'99 up 400EX = 18 1/4"
'04-'05 450R = 18.9"
'06 up 450R = 19 1/2"
I didn't measure a 450R myself but those are the lengths I found doing some searches on the net. What I found interesting is that on the 250R the consensus is that the shorter swingarm on the '88-'89 handled better that the longer one on the earlier models but on the 450R most people say the longer swingarm on the '06 plus handles better.

I was just curious about the various measurements as I have already decided to try a longer one on my 400EX as I found a Houser in great shape. I think pretty much all the aftermarket swingarms made for the 400EX were plus 1 or plus 1 1/4" and those guys know what they were doing to make a quad handle better. Not to mention that it is fun doing some challenging hill climbs when trail riding and a longer swingarm is definitely a benefit for that.

[atvrider13]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Blodg
[

Honda has been back-and-forth on the length of the swingarm on their sport quads:
'86-'87 250R = 19 1/2"
'88-'89 250R = 18 1/2"
'99 up 400EX = 18 1/4"
'04-'05 450R = 18.9"
'06 up 450R = 19 1/2"
^^^^^Now thats some very useful information right there!! Thank u!

[DragonGunner]

I remember when the 450r came out, Pro Racers all wanted a longer swingarm......looks like Honda concurred and made a change for the better.

[JOHNDOE83]

Oh another thing about extending swingarms.

I would only go bigger if you were going with long travel suspension or if your coming out of corners and trying to go wide open throttle and cant keep the front down.

If the swinger is to long you will loose traction and spin when you could get the holeshot.

Alot of my "kinda" pro mx friends have shorter swingarms so that they can dig down deep and get lots of traction out of corners and hole shots. They would rather get max traction and lift the front end off the ground slightly then loose a race.

[Chukkinsod]

I would agree. when you go larger it changes the weight transfer of the frame putting more of the weight over the front of the frame causing more wheel spin. A 1.25 actually transfers weight more evenly for whoops and jumps but will keep the front end down more on hole shot (over stock length). Stock setup great for riding wheelies and such but the overall performance better with 1.25. Also depends on how your suspension set up is in the rear. You may find with the larger arm your shock will become softer and spongy. I got my shock revalved as I found it would bottom out on large jumps (dunes).

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by Chukkinsod
I would agree. when you go larger it changes the weight transfer of the frame putting more of the weight over the front of the frame causing more wheel spin. A 1.25 actually transfers weight more evenly for whoops and jumps but will keep the front end down more on hole shot (over stock length). Stock setup great for riding wheelies and such but the overall performance better with 1.25. Also depends on how your suspension set up is in the rear. You may find with the larger arm your shock will become softer and spongy. I got my shock revalved as I found it would bottom out on large jumps (dunes).

True. That is why if you go with a longer + 1.25" swingarm, it is best to go with +1 forward A-arms to match. The longer swingarm moves the weight bias forward, but the forward arms cancel most of it out. So you get a longer wheelbase machine with more stable, balanced handling.

I'm running Roll Design +3+1 arms and a +1.5" swinger. With the wheelbase stretched out and a properly setup shocks it handles much smoother and bucks a lot less than the stock geometry parts. This setup also helps to keep the front end down when blasting out of corners. The suspension absorbs most of the wheelie before the wheels even leave the ground.

[MtnEX]

What is the consensus for XC racing?

Seems about 50/50 on stock with GT Thunder XC link and about half 450R or extended 400EX swinger and GT Thunder XC link.

I can't recall having any complaints for trails. Always felt real confident on a stock 400EX for some reason? Thinking the feel may change with the link and a touch more power though? IDK.

I just know when it came to really technical hill stuff, well... I just always felt like I could take my 400EX anywhere to the point I felt like I could go with ease in places that would punk me on my other quads. I gotta get it out and ride it and see how I feel now that I am more adjusted to the other quads.

[Stickman400]

Kinda curious as to what the consensus on the longer swingarm for XC is also. I was going to put a 450 houser swinger on my 400 for the added stability in the straight line and for the hills. But will it actually be worth it? Mine's XC ONLY, never gunna see a MX track again so will it be worth it in the woods with my rear shock re-valved for it and the GT XC link?

[Blodg]

Stickman, just curious why are you looking at installing a 450r aftermarket swingarm instead one for the 400EX? I am planning to do an aftermarket swingarm this winter and was planning on buying one for a 400EX.

[Stickman400]

Houser doesn't make a swinger for a 400, only the 450. And I'm set on getting a Houser, they're a-arms I bought are top notch, as well as a few other things I bought from them. Although back when I was wanting to do this they had the perfect swinger on there site that would work. But now when I look they only have 2 for a YFZ and 1 for a TT 450R. Idk what the deal is but I may have waited too long. Or they are revising the site or something. http://www.houser-racing.com/products/category/atv-swing-arms/regular-and-long-travel

[MtnEX]

I would give them a ring on that.

Could be site work in progress or it could be dropped product for lack of sales.