250R Aluminum Swingarm Extension Project (finished)

[FPMXer]

Good job on the swinger. I want to know how different the ride is with the extension. I want to add some inches to mine to keep the front end down when blazing the dunes. But I want to know if it's really worth the trouble.

[Red Rider]

Good job on the swinger. I want to know how different the ride is with the extension. I want to add some inches to mine to keep the front end down when blazing the dunes. But I want to know if it's really worth the trouble.

Thanks. I'll get you a ride report as soon as I get to ride. Since I finished the swingarm, I've only been on 1 ride, and that only lasted 12-15 minutes until my motor seized, due to a failed waterpump. For some reason, no waterpump = no coolant flow, which = no motor worky. I'm now in the process of completely rebuilding the entire bottom end, new crank/rod, seals & bearings.

[FPMXer]

Thanks. I'll get you a ride report as soon as I get to ride. Since I finished the swingarm, I've only been on 1 ride, and that only lasted 12-15 minutes until my motor seized, due to a failed waterpump. For some reason, no waterpump = no coolant flow, which = no motor worky. I'm now in the process of completely rebuilding the entire bottom end, new crank/rod, seals & bearings.

That sucks to hear.

[Red Rider]

While I'm waiting on some parts to complete the engine rebuild, I began searching for a longer skidplate to fit my lengthened swingarm. I called all of the aftermarket skidplate manufacturers, whose work & products I like, and none of them offered longer skidplates for lengthened swingarms, nor are they interested in making 1. So, I decided to get a new skidplate and lengthen it myself. I settled on a unit from XFR (www.xfrproatv.com) as they offer an excellent product for a decent price.

Once I was back into fabrication mode, I began to cut up a perfectly good, brand new plate, that I'd just shelled out $72 for. I completely forgot about taking pics of the whole process, but I think I can explain it fairly clearly. I cut the skidplate into 2 pieces, front & rear. The front piece contained the forward mounting tabs & the shock linkage protection. The rear piece contained the rear mounts & the sprocket/chain & disc brake guards. I cut out a 2" wide piece of 3/16" thick 6061 plate aluminum, as the spacer, for in between the front & rear skidplate halves, clamped everything in place, and then had it all welded back together. I also bent a piece of aluminum plate into a "U" shape, and had that welded to the front to better protect the lower shock-to-frame linkage.

[Red Rider]

I finally got around to installing the new skidplate & Pro-Link stickers. Now my bike is really looking like the '88 ATC250R that Honda never built.