What is a "swing arm" ?
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Stage II
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: DETROIT, MICHIGAN
What is a "swing arm" ?
Looking to buy a Sportster (my first bike); and am trying to get educated as to what the various accessories are on the bikes I'm looking to buy.
Would greatly appreciate a guiding hand on terminology, like what is a SWING ARM, and what is it's purpose. Thank you all in advance.
Would greatly appreciate a guiding hand on terminology, like what is a SWING ARM, and what is it's purpose. Thank you all in advance.
It's the tuning fork looking thing that holds the rear wheel. It is connected to the frame at a lower pivot point and kept in place by your rear shocks.
If you are looking at a used bike and they are stating that they have an aftermarket swingarm, it is most likely designed to allow a wider tire, lengthened for more stability and traction while drag racing, or both.
If you are looking at a used bike and they are stating that they have an aftermarket swingarm, it is most likely designed to allow a wider tire, lengthened for more stability and traction while drag racing, or both.
Last edited by UFOtestpilot; Aug 21, 2012 at 09:36 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 613
Likes: 75
From: Marietta, GA
Looking to buy a Sportster (my first bike); and am trying to get educated as to what the various accessories are on the bikes I'm looking to buy.
Would greatly appreciate a guiding hand on terminology, like what is a SWING ARM, and what is it's purpose. Thank you all in advance.
Would greatly appreciate a guiding hand on terminology, like what is a SWING ARM, and what is it's purpose. Thank you all in advance.
though I think they named a motorcycle part after it
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Elite HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
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From: Streetsboro, Oh
OMG!!!!!! this site is getting worse by the day. It's just crazy how many people are getting bikes and know nothing about them or how to ride. i guess i'm lucky as i grew up on bikes and knew how to ride well before I ever got my first street bike. I'm not trying to be mean, but when I see a post like this I just see bad news wrote all over it.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 5,067
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From: Edmonton Alberta Canada
OMG!!!!!! this site is getting worse by the day. It's just crazy how many people are getting bikes and know nothing about them or how to ride. i guess i'm lucky as i grew up on bikes and knew how to ride well before I ever got my first street bike. I'm not trying to be mean, but when I see a post like this I just see bad news wrote all over it.
Remember there was a time when you too didn't know what a swingarm was.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
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From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
On the other hand, sometimes I have to wonder if there's still people out there that have yet to hear about Google, or is it just a new Spoon-fed generation thing.
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Tourer
Joined: May 2012
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From: EastCoast
Not being a smartass: Google swingarm swing arm.... click "images" and scan the pics and see some examples. Then click on "web" and read up on some links. Kind of "eyes on"..... And then cruise back and ask away. This way when someone gives a hand, you will already be a bit more versed and know what they are helping you with. Hope this helps some. Cheers and good luck!
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Cruiser
Joined: May 2012
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From: Maui
OMG!!!!!! this site is getting worse by the day. It's just crazy how many people are getting bikes and know nothing about them or how to ride. i guess i'm lucky as i grew up on bikes and knew how to ride well before I ever got my first street bike. I'm not trying to be mean, but when I see a post like this I just see bad news wrote all over it.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 566
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From: Seattle, WA
You're exactly right; we all start from zero at some point and it's better to ask than to never know. On the other hand, as cHarley pointed out, Google is a wonderful tool for a lot of these sorts of questions. Still, a Google search probably wouldn't have given the extra information about reasons for an aftermarket swingarm as succinctly and swiftly as UFO did in the second post.
