WR / XC swing arm

[huskymack]

I am not sure if this subject has been covered previously. It has been suggested to me to source and fit a XC model swing arm to my 81WR 430 as this is a good modification to lift the rear and quicken the steering. Is this correct ?

 

[84scrambler]

I think the xc swinger is a little longer but not sure if the shock mounts are further back or in the same place as the wr (probably not). If you want to change and experiment with steering head angle you could start with adding longer eye ends at the bottom of your rear shocks and drop your front forks if possible. The wr in stock form was built for tighter turns by being a little lower to the ground and a shorter wheel base, a longer rear swinger arm will be a disadvantage for your tighter steering. hope this helps

 

[jimspac]

The swingarm pivot to shock mount distance is the same. The difference in length occurs between the shock mount and rear axle. If you need one, I have a CR/XC swingarm surplus to my needs. If you want it, email me @ jimspac@cox.net

 

[Kartwheel68]

Dont put an XC swing arm on it, take the spacer out of your shocks, the WR shocks are identical to the XC/CR shocks but they have an internal spacer to shorten them. With the XC/CR length shock it increases travel from 10.6" to around 11" and quickens steering significantly.

 

[Kartwheel68]

I just measured '82 CR, XC and WR swing arms, the CR and XC length from pivot to lower mount is 13", the WR is 13.75".

 

[huskymack]

Thanks guys for your input, anymore is welcome. It seems the change of swing arm may be the way to go with the shock mounts moved forward.( Is the distance from the pivot to the axle on the WR and XC the same ? ) If the change does not archive the desired effect can easily revert to original set up.

 

[Kartwheel68]

If you want sharper turning, that is the wrong way to go, the XC swing arm is quite a bit longer than the WR. Its not as simple because you have to take the shocks apart, but if you want the most nimble trail setup you can get the ONLY way to do it is removing the shortening spacer (resulting in XC/CR length shocks) on your WR swing arm. I dont have a good picture of the bike straight from the side unloaded, but these are my '82 430WR with the longer shocks. It results in 11" of travel, and with the triple clamps as far down as they will go without the tire hitting anything the bike is an absolute scalpel in the woods.

 

[huskymack]

Thanks Kartwheel68 for your input. So it looks like a trip to the shock repair shop to have the spacer removed is the way to go. Did this change also improve the action of the rear suspension ? From the look of the photos the ride height is higher on your WR.

 

[suprize]

ive done this trick in the past when desert racing WR's. pull the spacer and slip on a set of CR dampers and sliders at the front and voila ...instant whoopee rider !!

 

[84scrambler]

Hey kartwheel, is that one of those trailer lights on your rear fender ?

 

[huskymack]

The shock length eye to eye is 16 inches with the current set up. What length are the shocks with the spacer removed ?

 

[suprize]

I believe its a 10 or 12 mm spacer from memory

 

[Kartwheel68]

Huskymack, I wouldnt say it really improved the rear suspension action, although it does add a bit over a half inch of travel. In combination with dropping the triple clamps as far as you can sharpens the steering significantly. I believe the spacer is around 12mm.

84scrambler, yes that is one of the WalMart trailer tail lights. It is not an exact match for the original, but it does look good.

 

[84scrambler]

I will be needing one soon , so I been eyeballing those too. I think it looks good too. (and cheap) lol

 

[jimspac]

I seem to recall the 82 CR/XC shocks I sent to dartyppyt were 17.5" eye to eye

 

[Kartwheel68]

Yes, the '81-'82 XC/CR should be 17.5" eye to eye and the WR should be 17".