[Lucio]

Don´t laugh, please!
I´m thinking about buying a discarded Softail swing arm just to cut off axle plates and use it in a rigid frame (red lines show where i intend to cut). Have you ever seen these parts being used this way before? Do you think it works?
I´m asking because I don´t have the parts at hand right now and I´m wondering if it´s sturdy enough for a rigid. Anyone here know the exact external and internal diameter of the tubes?

Thanks!
Lucio

 

[rockett]

I would just buy a weld on or bolt on hardtail designed for your bike. They are usually less than 100 bucks if you look in the right place.

 

[fatass]

I'm guessing cast vs flatstock axle plates.

Dunno why you couldn't do that..

 

[Stinky Pete]

That's funny. I was cleaning up my garage last weekend and found some old softail take-offs I got with some other parts. One of the parts is this swingarm.

I looked at it for a minute and put it in the sell pile, but I figured if I couldn't sell it I'd cut the axle plates off and scrap the rest.

Mine is still sitting in the pile if you want me to dig it out for pics or measurements.

 

[binky666]

this has been done a bunch. i cant get the pics to load but check it out here
http://kingkustoms.blogspot.com/

 

[Danny F.]

These Softail cast axle plates look better in any way against the flat stock plates..
VG-frames in Holland used these type of Softail cast plates for most of their custom frames..

 

[Ironhead-Slim]

Sounds right to me. Then your geometry is pretty well taken care of back there. As long as it's cheap enough all you need is some tubing and slugs and you're in buisness. A couple bends as well but you seem to get the idea. Good luck with it! I think it will loook nicer than the cheaper hardtail sections you can buy too.

 

[Dr. Benway]

think it will loook nicer than the cheaper hardtail sections you can buy too.

Yep. Those dirt cheap hardtail sections are waaaaay overpriced, trust me on this...

 

[Lucio]

Mine is still sitting in the pile if you want me to dig it out for pics or measurements.

Yes, please!

 

[Lucio]

this has been done a bunch. i cant get the pics to load but check it out here
http://kingkustoms.blogspot.com/

Many thanks! That´s exactly what I want to do:

 

[Lucio]

Yep. Those dirt cheap hardtail sections are waaaaay overpriced, trust me on this...

Ditto!! I prefer to take the plunge to buy the softail plates and ship them all the way to my home in Brazil than to do the same for a cheap hardtail section. Tube stock, bending and welding is easily available here.
Now all I need is to find is:
a) A dirt cheap softail swing arm,
b) eGay seller that agrees to ship to Brazil,
c) eGay seller that agrees to cut the swingarm...
Easy...

Thanks for all the replies, guys!
Lucio

 

[Stinky Pete]

Yes, please!

Let me know what you'd like pics and measurements of and I'll be more than happy to get them for you...but please be specific.

 

[Nottso]

Lucio,
The U.S. Postal Service has made International shipping really easy. The packages that I routinely ship weigh 2 pounds and generally cost $18 - $25 US to Europe or Australia via First Class International Parcel.

If the seller prints his shipping labels through eBay he can electronically add in the customs information really easily and print that out right with the label.

You may already know all that, but if not, maybe it will help you to convince someone to send you what you need. Best of luck.

 

[dhallilama]

tudo bom? onde no brasil e voce?
i was married to a brasilian girl, spent many months in sao paulo, recife, forteleza & my favorite place on earth: jericoacoara

i've used softail axle plates on a build before... and i agree with what's been said above: they look much better than flat steel plates.

 

[rockett]

Hey, if you find one you want, and they won't ship, I'll buy it and ship it to you.

 

[Lucio]

Let me know what you'd like pics and measurements of and I'll be more than happy to get them for you...but please be specific.

Pete,
I need to know is tube external diameter. I´m guessing 2mm for wall tickness.
Cheers,
Lucio

 

[Lucio]

tudo bom? onde no brasil e voce?
i was married to a brasilian girl, spent many months in sao paulo, recife, forteleza & my favorite place on earth: jericoacoara

i've used softail axle plates on a build before... and i agree with what's been said above: they look much better than flat steel plates.

Tudo bem, e você?
So, you also fell victim of a brazilian girl, right? Well, we brazilians have the hard mission of getting along with them all day long. It´s a dirty job, but someone must do!
Of the places you told the only one I know is São Paulo. The others are in the Northeast and I, unfortunately, never have been there. I live in the South, in a city called Caxias do Sul. Big city, lots of industrial plants, but lacks the grace and easy life of the places you visited. Must move over there when retiring...
Abraço,
Lucio

 

[Lucio]

Lucio,
The U.S. Postal Service has made International shipping really easy. The packages that I routinely ship weigh 2 pounds and generally cost $18 - $25 US to Europe or Australia via First Class International Parcel.

If the seller prints his shipping labels through eBay he can electronically add in the customs information really easily and print that out right with the label.

You may already know all that, but if not, maybe it will help you to convince someone to send you what you need. Best of luck.

Thanks for the tips!!

Hey, if you find one you want, and they won't ship, I'll buy it and ship it to you.

I already contacted a few sellers with swingarms in the US$25,00 price range. Let´s see if at least one knows how to use the Sawzall. If not, I will take your offer with great gusto. Thanks!!!
Lucio

 

[Stinky Pete]

Pete,
I need to know is tube external diameter. I´m guessing 2mm for wall tickness.
Cheers,
Lucio

Sorry - somehow I missed this. I'll get you the dimensions tonight.

 

[Stinky Pete]

Here's metric:

Here's English:

These are measured right before the tube runs into axle plates