Thoughts on DSS swap to aluminum

[d3vi@nt]

Apologies -this is a non-Monster question. I've got a line on a relatively cheap, used aluminum swingarm for my ST2. I've heard it's a decent upgrade, but would like some thoughts and/or FHE.

Also, wondering about how technical the process is, potential pitfalls, special tools and parts needed, etc.

Appreciate any info.

[Speeddog]

which bike is the aluminum swingarm from?

[thorn14]

Get the axle, adjusters, bolts, and chain guards, otherwise you WILL end up paying full price to get it. Everything fits different and you can't reuse pieces from the steel version. I'm still missing the proper axle, and to buy it will cost over what a complete swingarm on ebay is going for.

Other than that, it's supposed to be a little stiffer, weight I'm not sure on, and you have to torque it correctly on install.

I installed mine during a couple month downtime on the bike so I can't directly compare the effect as I made an engine swap and fully adjustable suspension at the same time.

[d3vi@nt]

Thanks for the feedback.  The swingarm is off an '04 ST4s.  It's being sold with only the pivot bolt, top/bottom chain guides and brake line clamp.

[Rudemouthsky]

If the weight savings are similar to the steel>alloy swap on the DSS Monster it would be about 3 pounds.

Ever since I passed up an alloy swinger for my build in favor of a NOS steel, I've had pangs of envy and regret when I see one.

[d3vi@nt]

Looks like I can get a used axle for around $30 USD. The adjuster blocks, however, seem hard to come by used.  I've been watching for a while and haven't seen many of the aluminum swingarms pop up on ebay, particularly with all the parts.  What's a reasonable price for the full assembly, used?

[thorn14]

I only see full assemblies go for over 200 listed, every now and then some one doesn't realize it's aluminum and you get them listed for stock steel prices around 20-30. There have been two like that in the past few months and I got mine sans bolt and chain sliders for 100.

[d3vi@nt]

I only see full assemblies go for over 200 listed, every now and then some one doesn't realize it's aluminum and you get them listed for stock steel prices around 20-30. There have been two like that in the past few months and I got mine sans bolt and chain sliders for 100.

Nice score. Guy wanted $235 plus $55 shipping. Wouldn't come down more than $10, so I'll keep looking.  Thanks for the info.

For anyone interested, found another thread where a guy weighed both steel and aluminum swingarms (didn't say what years). Difference in weight was about 2.4 pounds.