Any ever build their own A-arms?

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cdalerider75 · #1 Post by **cdalerider75** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 4:42 pm

I was just wondering if anyone has ever built their own A-arms? What makes the so expensive? What is the challenge to building them? Does anyone know of a good website that explains the details about A-arms? (exp. streses, strengths, loads)

Has anyone ever modeled out the front end of the Cannondale in a 3D CAD modeling program?

speed_demon · #2 Post by **speed_demon** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 4:53 pm

I think Happyboy modded his to +1, the thread is here somewhere. He said it was a little bit of a pain and would probably just buy a set next time!

wistech · #3 Post by **wistech** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 6:10 pm

I built a couple sets of a arms and swingarms. Its not to difficult if you have the right tools. They are expensive because they are a relativly low production item and you have to recoup your intial set up costs. However the other reason is the percieved value of the items. Give it a pretty paint job and a catchy name and double your profit.

speed_demon · #4 Post by **speed_demon** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 6:51 pm

wisetech can you build extended swingarms? If so I think there are a few duners here that would be VERY interested!

cdalerider75 · #5 Post by **cdalerider75** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 8:46 pm

wistech,

For starters what kinds of tools are needed? Did you crunch any numbers to figure out stress points, loads.. ? I was thinking of starting by creating a 3D model of the cannondale front end and having the software calculate out the loads and find the weak spots.. What I would love to learn is how to calculate out or guestamate bump steer...

How did your A-arms hold up.. what would you charge to make another set +2's??

LSR and others must of started out like this... I just think the cost of some of these items are out of control.. and with a lower priced parts you might find more people would be willing to spend the money.. I would just like to help the little guys out there....

theJeStEr1340 · #6 Post by **theJeStEr1340** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 8:50 pm

QUOTE

Originally posted by cdembek
wistech,

For starters what kinds of tools are needed? Did you crunch any numbers to figure out stress points, loads.. ? I was thinking of starting by creating a 3D model of the cannondale front end and having the software calculate out the loads and find the weak spots.. What I would love to learn is how to calculate out or guestamate bump steer...

How did your A-arms hold up.. what would you charge to make another set +2's??

LSR and others must of started out like this... I just think the cost of some of these items are out of control.. and with a lower priced parts you might find more people would be willing to spend the money.. I would just like to help the little guys out there....

Wistech. If you can build A-arms I would be intrested in a set of +2's also... maybe even +2 LT's if that is possible.

wistech · #7 Post by **wistech** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 9:03 pm

I made my first set about 10 years ago. I was looking to widen my 300ex and heard 250r arms could be made to fit. The 250r bottoms would work but since the spindles have different ball joint offsets I couldnt use the tops. So I just copied the stock bottoms and made a jig and hand fabricated the tops. I used stock ball joint ends and welded them on. It took a weekend to get it the way I wanted and ran them till last year and sold them on ebay when I bought my Cannon.

I bought a set of used +2 ASR arms for for my speed last year. One of them was bent and I picked up some moto shocks from Jaybr. So I copied the basic ASR arm except I recalculated where to mount the LT shocks . That took some trial and error to get right. I used the same size chromoly tubing as ASR so you cant even tell they are custom. By the way that tubing is incredably strong and a bear to bend. Ive been running them for over a year now and they work great. I have had a ich to make some extra moto arms though. Just dont have a lot of time to do it and my quads are both LT . There fun projects .

wistech · #8 Post by **wistech** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 9:06 pm

I did also build a 3 sets of plus 3 300ex swingarms . I was worried about strength and overbuilt them a bit to much. They were at least 5-10 pounds heavier than stock. None have ever broke.

cdalerider75 · #9 Post by **cdalerider75** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 11:27 pm

FYI..

Good interview with

LSR's
Dan Fisher 11-18-04

http://atvscene.com/interviews/danfisher-11-18-04.htm

In the interview he talks about bump steer really quick.. does anyone know how to calculate out bump steer??

cdalerider75 · #10 Post by **cdalerider75** » Wed Dec 08, 2004 11:35 pm

Another good page

http://atvscene.com/interviews/frame-build...iew-3-20-02.htm