Modifications made to my new Viva VX200SX!

[SamM]

Pauli,
When you say it like that I understand completely what you meant! But technically it's not really linkage anymore either. Of course, it does link two components, so... maybe it is! Is the pressure or force greater with the shock bolted on or not? Six of one, half dozen of the other, I say! As for the why...! Why... didn't they build it right to start with? Money! It all comes down to money in the end! Doesn't it always? :roll:

red2003,
Thanks for the vote of confidence! I sure hope it works out better than the linkage did. It was a lot of work but I think it's the best solution, at least for me. I sort of patterned it after my KTM. The static links are different though! :oops: The KTM has long bolts that run through the frame and swingarm. The shock eyes replace the sections of frame cutout for them to index into. Very clean and very tough!

I think this modification is very repeatable and something that backyard mechanics could handle. I'd be willing to help anyone wanting to tackle it. The only tools I used, were an angle grinder with cutting wheels, a cordless drill, a tape measurer, a marker, cutting torches, a file, my cheap MIG welder and a few metric wrenches. Everything was cut freehand using just the angle grinder. I did used the torch to cut the middle of of the original brace and to give me a starting point to work from. I cut my right hand once, burnt a pair of new Mechanics gloves off my right hand (from sparks off the grinder) and two fingers trying to get the glove off, before I burst into flames. All in all about average for me!

[red2003]

Sounds good Sam. Can't wait to hear ride results!!

[SamM]

I can't wait to ride it. I'm running late today and I haven't been to the shop yet. I just took my Yamaha TT-R250 down to my buddies house. He is installing the new GYTR kickstarter kit that I just bought for it. The instructions are all in Japanese. Hopefully, he can figure it out from the pictures. He's good, so I'm sure it will be ok.

The final welding will be done today and hopefully all the painting. I may get everything installed Sunday afternoon. I'll post pictures as soon as I can!

[red2003]

Keep us posted!

[SamM]

I finished up the rear suspension a little while ago. Here in a few minutes, after I take a shower, I'll take a few pictures and post them. It turned out better than I had hoped. Everything is painted and installed for the last time. The swingarm is much stiffer because of the brace being moved back. To get the wheel and spacers installed I'll have to use a jack to spread the swingarm a little. The spacer won't go in now. It should be an easy fix.

[SamM]

Here you go! I need about one inch of clearance to get the axle bolts, spacers and rear wheel to fit into the space it came out of. This should be easy to do. The frame and swingarm are painted, so everything is pretty much done. I can push the swingarm up by hand.

[pumpkin]

looks good sam let me know if you get-r-done sun. i might have to come out.

[AZ200cc]

That looks good, Like it was meant to be. Have fun on the first ride 8)

[red2003]

That's nice work Sam. Congrats, and let us know how she rides!!!

[SamM]

Thanks! The welds are rougher than I would have liked but, I've never claimed to be a good welder. I think they will hold just fine.

I bought a small bottle jack today to spread the swingarm. The one thing I can say is the swingarm is much stiffer than stock. I couldn't spread it the half inch needed to install the wheel. When it was stock I could spread it with a screwdriver. Not now! I should have thought about this and spread it and welded in the proper size rear steel bracket before welding in the new shock brace. Hindsight!

On a side note: Today I was at Wheeling Cycle to buy some parts and looked at the new American Lifan GY-5 with the new counter balance engine. Wow, nice bike! Unfortunately it has a rear drum brake. That alone would keep me from ever owning one.

[msRandi]

the same thing happened to me when I welded Rachel's swing arm back together. never thouth it would close up like that.

[SamM]

The bottle jack worked perfectly. I was able to easily spread the swingarm evenly and get the wheel and spacers installed. When everything was bolted up, I dropped the bike down off the jack to measure for the new kickstand. The shock bottomed out. Actually with me on it the bike dropped so low, that the tire was sitting on the muffler. I took the shock off and adjusted it out. Still the same. I have cut the bottom shock mount off the swingarm and installed the Buell shock on the bike. The R1 shock will not work without the linkage. The spring is too soft. The Buell shock does not use linkage so it may be a better choice. I can rebuild the bottom mount on Wednesday.

Pictures shortly!

[msRandi]

I want the R1 shock.

[SamM]

I paid $29.95 for it! That, plus the shipping and it's yours. I'll box it up and check the shipping on Wednesday. I'll need your address, so I can sent it out to you. You can sent a money order whenever. I'll PM you my address.

Thanks, msRandi!

Here are the pictures of the Viva with the Buell shock mounted. It bolted right to my top mount with no mods. I like the Buell shock better, I think! Buells don't use linkage.

[SamM]

New turnsignals!