going for a 450r swingarm, which year/length should I get?

[400man]

Just found today that my swingarm is cracked BAD, and all the 400ex swingarms are twice as expensive as 450r swingarms on ebay and such. So, I guess im going with a 450r swingarm. but I cant decide if I should use a 04-05 that is the same length as my stock one, or go with a 06+ which is about a inch or so longer I think? Ive been reading and have found that the longer swingarm will make it handle way better and stop the "bucking". I have a GTT XC linkage, and my shock has been revalved/resprung for the link by JET suspension. my main concern if I went with a 06+ arm, is that my shock will feel too soft because of the extra leverage from the longer swingarm. but, I guess I can just counter that by tightening the preload?

[chronicsmoke]

The 06+ is a different geometry (shock length, linkages, mounting point on the swingarm) you're better off to use the 04/05 and keep your setup.

Laz's GTT XC links for the 04/05 450r/400ex are the same except for the notch, but the 400ex takes a longer shock than the 450r due to the shock location on the frame. Also, no builder has the specs for the 06+ link on a 400ex (unless X-tech does) but everyone I talked to told me to go out and take all the shocks off, drop it on 2x4s and get the extended/compressed lengths.

Where'd you crack your swinger, any pics? You really push that little beast! :muscle:

[400man]

The 06+ is a different geometry (shock length, linkages, mounting point on the swingarm) you're better off to use the 04/05 and keep your setup.

Laz's GTT XC links for the 04/05 450r/400ex are the same except for the notch, but the 400ex takes a longer shock than the 450r due to the shock location on the frame. Also, no builder has the specs for the 06+ link on a 400ex (unless X-tech does) but everyone I talked to told me to go out and take all the shocks off, drop it on 2x4s and get the extended/compressed lengths.

Where'd you crack your swinger, any pics? You really push that little beast! :muscle:

I get some pics later. its cracked right behind the chain slider, almost all the way around the tubing I think?

yea, that's another thing I was kinda iffy on was the different lengths of stuff like the shocks and linkage. I guess you might have problems with too much up travel or something and bottom out too easy? and I seen that I may need to get a 450r bearing carrier cause Ive read that the 400ex one is wider and will stick out some on the brake side. would a 400ex carrier work if I just used a spacer of some kind behind the big snap ring that holds the brake stay on?

[chronicsmoke]

Yah pretty well, it's hard to explain without being able to draw a bit lol.. I can show you the difference between my Elka dual 450r linkage setup on my 450r compared to the 400ex.. It bolts up flawlessly on both of the bikes and you would never know it's wrong just by looking at it, but with 18" tires the 400ex will 'frame out' on a jump with the 450r setup but it's almost perfect for the 400ex with 20" tires because the 20" tires raise it off the ground that 1" for GC

I have a complete 450r carrier that I switch around between the bikes (2 450s and a 400) so for me it was an easy and praticle thing to do, but I think M aul tech sells an 1/8" spacer that makes up for that gap, but I always assumed it went on the sprocket side.

If you want to be the guinea pig, get the 06+ swinger, dog bone, and GTT linkage and get the measurements and be the first to use the 06+ GTT setup *correctly* on a 400!

[400man]

i just gonna go with a 04/05 swingarm. i have a brand new pivot works needle bearing kit for a 400ex swingarm, will it work with a 450r swingarm?

[mtsnieg]

I too am in need of a 400ex swinger. Looking at the 04-5 450r swingers. The bearing part numbers are the same between the two. I baseto what I've read here off a 99ex. The spacer collar part numbers are different. 450 looks like two spacers about the same lenght while the ex one is noticabely longer than the other. I think with an ex pivot bearing set up it should work. According to what I've read on this site it should work. I also checked out this thread too http://www.atvriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?479724-06-trx450r-swinger-conversion&highlight=400ex+swingarm

I have a line on a good 05 swinger, just waiting to buy. Gotta be sure. So some-one's gotta chime in who's done it to confirm.

The spacer shouldn't bee too much of a problem. I have access to a mill and lathe, both with a knowledgeable operator. The thread I linked to mentions a 1/8" thick spacer. Need some confirmation. Waiting on confirmation, like 400man.

[Stickman400]

http://www.atvriders.com/vbb/showthread.php?486832-I-need-a-Swing-Arm&perpage=10&highlight=450R%20swingarm

That's the thread I referred to when I was going to get the '06 swinger for mine. Dustin knows his stuff and I'm pretty sure he has done that swap with all that parts laying right in front of him to take the measurements (atleast I think he did, maybe I'm thinking of someone else)

[chronicsmoke]

I used the 450r swinger/durablue 450r axle/450r carrier/450r brake line & caliper but you can use all of the 400ex parts like dustin said in that linked thread.

the 450r carrier has dual bearings on the chain side, the axle is a tad bit wider, and more clearence out of the brake rotor are some perks to the whole swap.. I had the parts in front of me so it was a no brainer..

pics from 2010
http://i62.tinypic.com/2v1vzbs.jpg
http://i60.tinypic.com/9k2lbr.jpg

[mtsnieg]

Right on. I will be ordering an 05 swinger this morning. I will be using the ex carrier and suuff since I have a nine =4 axle already. Did you use the ex or r pivot bearing spacers? Thanks, Matt.

[chronicsmoke]

Right on. I will be ordering an 05 swinger this morning. I will be using the ex carrier and suuff since I have a nine =4 axle already. Did you use the ex or r pivot bearing spacers? Thanks, Matt.

You need the the 400ex pivot spacers because that's what lines your engine up, the 450 r has two the same and the 400ex has two different sizes to make the sprockets line up.

[mtsnieg]

Thanks. I got the swinger ordered. I figured by the part numbers I would need the ex spacers. Now what about a skidplate? Will a stock or aftermarket r skidpate work with all the ex stuff?

[400man]

heres some pics of mine, and the cracked swingarm. got one on the way though.

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/Photo06050938_zps20fb13f8.jpg (http://s417.photobucket.com/user/ky2stroker/media/Photo06050938_zps20fb13f8.jpg.html)

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/Photo06050937_zps1d0ea4db.jpg (http://s417.photobucket.com/user/ky2stroker/media/Photo06050937_zps1d0ea4db.jpg.html)

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/Photo06050938_1_zps5592b1a0.jpg (http://s417.photobucket.com/user/ky2stroker/media/Photo06050938_1_zps5592b1a0.jpg.html)

http://i417.photobucket.com/albums/pp255/ky2stroker/Photo06050938_2_zps516a262b.jpg (http://s417.photobucket.com/user/ky2stroker/media/Photo06050938_2_zps516a262b.jpg.html)

[400man]

got my new 450r swingarm mounted. I bought a aftermarket 450r carrier to use with it too, since my 400ex carrier needed new bearings any ways. everything mounted up perfect. only thing I noticed is that the chain doesn't follow the wear grooves in the chain slider? I rides on the outside edge of the slider, instead of in the middle where the grooves are. I rolled the chain/axle for a while on a floor jack and everything rolls smooth and free. test rode it in the field and didn't notice anything different about it. I plan on getting a new chain slide later on cause this one is pretty worn, but for the mean time, should it be good to go?

[chronicsmoke]

I'll check mine out tonight and let you know if it's the same or not. I've never thrown a chain with it on there so I'd assume you're good to go

[400man]

I'll check mine out tonight and let you know if it's the same or not. I've never thrown a chain with it on there so I'd assume you're good to go

alright. I guess I may try even putting a washer or two on the mounting bolts to space it out some, see if that makes any difference.

[JOHNDOE83]

alright. I guess I may try even putting a washer or two on the mounting bolts to space it out some, see if that makes any difference.

When I get a worn chain slider or if it doesnt line up right from a random mod, I take a grinder with a metal cut off wheel and use it to sand down the slider to a smoothish finish and its perfectly reusable :cool: