How Can I Tell a 1985 350X Swingarm from a 1986???

[2Tim215]

Anyone able to tell me what to look for to tell the difference between a 85 and 86 swingarm? I have been buying 1986 parts such as the Aluminum Billet Bearing Carrier etc. and want to be sure. Is there a way to tell when still on the trike without taking it off? Appreciate any info!

[Cave Rider]

The 1985 swinger has a threaded stud for the brake stay arm to mount to.The 1986 swinger has a small stud for the brake plate to locate and is attached via a small snap ring...this is all located on the right rear portion of the swinger

[2Tim215]

Okay, I'll go out and look and see if I can tell what you mean. So the 85 won't have any snap ring?

[2Tim215]

I went out and looked at my 86 and 85, can't tell the difference, maybe I'm looking at the wrong spot?

[TatTooL23]

it would be on the right side is standing behind the 3 wheeler. then back toward the brakes, maybe a little more then half way down the swingarm and back.

[sittinguy]

Most of the 86 swingers are gusseted at the front

[2Tim215]

Okay, I'll see if I can see what you mean.
@ sittinguy, where were the gussets placed on the front, upper or underneath?

[sittinguy]

They are on the inside front, small corner gussets about where the swingarm bearings are..

here is a pic of an 85 I just painted

[2Tim215]

Okay, so the top of yours doesn't have them because its an 85? By the way, looks good!

[Dirtcrasher]

Don't even be concerned with the gussets, just look at the long stud protruding from his swingarm on the left in his pic. (He's showing it to you upside down) That is the mount for the brake stay arm, then a long flat bracket mounts to that arm. The 86 has one simple bracket and a maybe 12MM round post protruding about 20MM from the swingarm.

[2Tim215]

Don't even be concerned with the gussets, just look at the long stud protruding from his swingarm on the left in his pic. (He's showing it to you upside down) That is the mount for the brake stay arm, then a long flat bracket mounts to that arm. The 86 has one simple bracket and a maybe 12MM round post protruding about 20MM from the swingarm.
Thanks Dirtcrasher, So the post sticking out near the middle closer to bearing carrier on the left (in his photo), is a quick way to see if I have a 86 swingarm. I'll check it out here shortly. Is that the piece that was mentioned above as having a lock ring rather than a threaded nut? Appreciate the help!

[Dirtcrasher]

Yep, thats the one to look at..........