85 tecate with 86 swinger.

[3wheeler365]

a few people have asked me about how I installed an 86 swinger on my 85 tecate. well here is what I did.
1. I cut the dogbone mount off the swinger. just go arround the welds with a cutting wheel. doesnt have to be very deep.
2. got a solid piece of aluminum and cut in the shape of a trapezoid.
__________
/__________\




3. welded the piece of aluminum in place and re-welded the dogbone mount.

[dcreel]

Hmmm... Looks good. Thanks for the pictures.

[3wheeler365]

i forgot to mention it is best to use the 86 brake caliper and brake line, as the 86 swinger is 2 inches longer, and the caliper brackets are different. the 85 brake line wont be long enough. you might also have to notch the side of the swinger where the shock is in case it rubs on the spring. the stock shock and spring are fine, but I had the 86 shock on before and it slightly rubbed because the spring and perch are wider. I just used my die grinder and made a slight notch about 2.5 inches about a little over an eighth inch deep and it was perfect. wont affect strength.

[jeswinehart]

I agree, it is a very nice "upgrade". steel to alu + longer.
I stretched my 86 swinger 4 more inches on my 84/85 and used a 85/86 250R brake line.