Repair
This is the damaged swingarm. The cracks are very obvious and the location is consistent with the fact that a gusset can create a stress riser. The top connecting tube is also the part that contacted the frame on bottom out and served as a fulcrum. |
Another view of the crack from the underside. |
To make sleeves for the 3/4" tubing I used 7/8" tubing with a 0.065" wall thickness. This means that the inside sleeve diameter is 0.005" smaller than the tubing that it is repairing. I made the long milled out channel to allow both the sleeve to expand to fit the original tube and to give a welder enough room to run two passes of TIG to secure the sleeves. |
Here the sleeves are ready for welding |
With the sleeves welded into place their appearance lent to the nickname "Socks". |
The bike was performing really well with the "Socks" welded in place; swingarm stiffness had improved and the travel configuration change helped match the spring weight to my still lingering winter weight.
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I made gussets while the debate between crack or scratch was unresolved. |
I got to watch [MY PRIMARY WELDER] TIG the gussets in place AND ask questions. |
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