Thoughts on a braced swingarm

[vtrstormer]

Hi guys

After some feedback on the benefits or drawbacks of a braced swing arm. Bike is used only on the street with no track work and I'm not that boy racer rider dropping the knee etc....

Thoughts

[1wd]

"and I'm not that boy racer rider dropping the knee etc...."

Maybe that's why your not, go on....brace it!

[vtrstormer]

So it's magic as well?

[hivisibility]

You need flex, torsional is necessary, I have owned rigid bikes with full braced frames and swingarms, you lose feel and they skip everywhere unless on racetracks with soft sidewalled grippy race type tyres, the old CBbolt the doors once you put a braced swingarm on the frame really played up, the GSXRs the same, once owned an RZ350 that we ended with fully braced frame but swingarm was where we left the torsional flex, and it handled probably better than anything I've ever ridden before or since on real roads

I wouldn't bother with more modern bikes , cause to be honest not many people could outride most bikes that have been designed and built in the last 20 years, and those that can, can also ride "around" most handling issues.

Unless you have done everything else like setup the high/low speed dampening, correct weight springs, brakes, steering angles, offset, then woohoo go onto the next thing, if that be a braced swingarm so be it.
However also remember that Honda copied a very clever design on this bike and you may be transferring forces onto engine cases that cause some sort of "bind" elsewhere.

Not saying don't modify, cause I am one of the kings of bike improvement, but be careful what you modify first, have been responsible for some dogs at times myself

[kenmoore]

I have had a braced swing arm on my bike for about 3 years now.

I have had a few bikes at the same time as the storm and it always felt nervous over rough or undulating surfaces to the point where it was becoming a distraction to ride.

I followed the traditional route of welding a Blade brace onto an original Storm swing arm.

I have a reworked back shock and modified front forks .

The fitting of the brace calmed the bike down and made it much more planted and heaps better to ride , especially when the road surface was rough and bumpy.

It makes the bike feel more planted and controlled under all conditions.

When I fitted the braced swinger I reset my suspension sag and changed the settings at both ends.

I also have a 6mm shim on the back shock.

The fitting of the braced arm sped things up a bit which led to fitting 600 F4i calipers and braided lines as I was now entering and exiting corners at much higher speeds.

That lead to fitting a fork brace to calm the front end down due to fork flex from the bigger brakes and higher speeds over rough surfaces.

I conclude that this is a worthy mod if you like to push hard however I suggest that by bracing the swinger if you want to get the best out of it you need to do other things as well.

I rate this mod highly and consider it close to the lightened flywheel in the return that it gives when riding the Storm.

I was sick of having to back off because when pushing the bike it was getting sketchy and becoming a handful.

Now it holds its own against much later more powerful machines.

[vtrstormer]

Thanks guys for the great feedback, gives me something to think about now.

[jackflash]

Haven't been here in a while...sorry. Here's my two cents.

Both bring a valid point, however, I believe Honda went the cost effective way, instead of the performance route. This bike was mostly designed as touring bike than it was a sports bike, by consequence, investing little in high performance components. They had the CBR's for that. If you look at the front suspension, you quickly realise it's pretty basic.

I also have braced my swing arm, and have seen a difference in stability. Road conditions, which are pretty bad here in my neck of the woods, cornering, and all around feel has been improved since this mod. Now, will this cause more stress on the engine case because of this, perhaps over the life span of the bike, however, looking at the way the swing arm is attached to the engine case, I don't for see any issues. Many have done this mod in NA, and have travelled thousands of miles/kilometers over the years, and have never seen anyone complain, or, have necessitated the replacement of swing arm engine case bearings because of stress.

So, if you have the OCMD bug, have some time, and a few pesos to spend, go ahead, and do it. 

[kenmoore]

I sourced a standard swing arm and then a Blade swinger, as well as the rear caliper bracket and buil it whilst I kept riding the bike.

If you shop wisely and take your time this mod will cost you about $150- and 5 hours time.

The end result is a cracker and rates as a top mod that transforms the Storm.

One day Honda may return the Storm with current technology, if they did I would be a candidate.

[Von Nudenut]

There was a member on here a while back who was bragging on another forum that he could feel his swingarm flexing whilst riding hard up a well known mountain pass. He ended up buying an SP1 because the Storm just wasn't "Up to it".
I think he spent too much time with his hand in his pants!

[1wd]

Aug 14, 2016 21:11:51 GMT 10 kenmoore said:

I sourced a standard swing arm and then a Blade swinger, as well as the rear caliper bracket and buil it whilst I kept riding the bike.

If you shop wisely and take your time this mod will cost you about $150- and 5 hours time.

The end result is a cracker and rates as a top mod that transforms the Storm.

One day Honda may return the Storm with current technology, if they did I would be a candidate.

They're gonna have to do something as if I were to buy a new bike today, or infact the last few years, there's nothing in Hondas range that does anything for me. It seems they really have managed to make bland an art form. Look at Yamaha, gone outside the box with things like the XSR, MT09, 10 just to mention a few.
Would be nice to seem them make a bike with character and go in one whether it be a revamped storm or something different.

My 2c

[vtrstormer]

I'm with you mate. Wife gave me the option to buy a newer bike and there wasn't much out there that interested me. Hondas range is very blade, great bikes but no character at all....

Anyway storm is here to stay for a while if not ever and let's hope for a sp3 or something of the like

[kenmoore]

See there's the beauty of the VTR, Character in spades and you can change it to suit the environment that you use them in.

I have had a few later model bikes whilst owning the VTR and none of them offered the same experience.

My VTR definitely stays.

I know regard it as part of the family by virtue of the fun times it has given me

By the way, sorry to bring this up here, however, if anyone has a spare engine clutch cover could yo send me a PM and discuss a price. I want to do a clear clutch cover conversion like I did to my brothers TLS 1000.



Sorry for posting a Suzuki on here guys . It is fun to ride as well but in a different way to the Storm.



Similar but not the same!

[lucifer71]

I've been reading a lot about bracing the swingarm, I understand all the pros and cons but, my question is wouldn't it be easier to put the brace on the underside. I'm sure there is a reason but I haven't been able to find it anywhere on any forum. I'm interested in what your opinion is

[kenmoore]

Underslung braced swing arms were available from the U.K years ago.

Now very rare .

Also the cost was prohibitive .

I rode a standard non braced Storm a few weeks ago and it felt nervous compared to mine when on rough surfaces especially when leaning over in corners.