Braced Swingarms - why?

[VladTepes]

Why do I see (on the forum at least, not in the real world) quite a number of bikes with after market braced swingarms?


It's not as if our bikes are pumping out HUGE power so I can't really see any need.
Neither do I think they look good.

So - what's the actual purpose?

[seth]

My braced swingarm is there because I'm wanting it to look like a bike from the 70/80's more than anything else it, made no difference to how the bike feels or handles from before it was fitted.
The only production bike that runs a under braced swingarm is the Kawasaki zrx range and that it main for looks as they could have made a conventional swingarm that was strong enough .
They were going for a certain look too.

[T 24]

I don't have  braced swingarm and I hope I don't need it.
But that Kawasaki ZRX style  braced swingarm looks good. IMO

[gsxbarmy]

Why do I see (on the forum at least, not in the real world) quite a number of bikes with after market braced swingarms?


It's not as if our bikes are pumping out HUGE power so I can't really see any need.
Neither do I think they look good.

So - what's the actual purpose?

Because you can. Bit like the fork brace, does diddly squat, but because you can.

[Tony Nitrous]

They were needed in the 80's.
Like fork braces, they worked in the 80's.

Now they are just cam link, window clutch cover, crank case breather, fork braces etc etc pointless, and just a fashion accessory to dress up a bike.

[Hooli]

Pointless bling, just be glad they aren't anodised like most bolt on tat.

[grog]

Not something i like.

[GSXKING]

OK OK I'll say it "Wank Factor" 

[Tony Nitrous]

The certainly did have an effect in the 80's.

They moved the problem to the wheels, tyres, frames and suspension which was just as bad... 

[BlackAdder]

... crank case breather... ...pointless...

Now here is where I differ on opinion. They actually do something AND are needed (well in the first place at least)

[Tony Nitrous]

... crank case breather... ...pointless...

Now here is where I differ on opinion. They actually do something AND are needed (well in the first place at least)

Not on a stock or anywhere near stock bike.
I've ran bikes on the dyno with and without.
The oil filler hole and breather line is way too small.
Race bikes normally use a much better system than the silly ones I see on streetbikes.

[seth]

Surely all these add-ons to anyone's bike is thier choice and how they want to spend thier own hard earned cash .

I agree not all is to everyone's taste or is fully functional as an upgrade .

But it's thier bikes and their choice .
I don't think getting nasty or over-critical is the way to go for anyone here as basically we are because we all have an interest the same bike (tho I'd bet not many are the same as any other).

Now back to the question .
I have 2 gsx1400's a totally standard and a tuned one which has the braced swingarm and they both ride just the same and weave like mad above 130mph as the fault isn't a weak swingarm it's a lack of bracing in the rear subframe .
I don't tend to ride at those speeds often or not long so not a problem .
I'm just recreating how my 1978 gs1000 was with my gsx1400 .

[KiwiCol]

I don't believe Tony was being nasty or overly critical in the above post, just factual & speaking from experience.

[Irish in Oz]

I've got add-on's on my my bike, they are made by Givi, top box and massive side panniers, the rest of the bike is totally stock, but it still goes as faster than is practical on the road.

[seth]

@KiwiCol
And @Tony Nitrous (as he has done very useful and welcome additions to here)
Not having a go at anyone it's just when ever folk put up pictures of what they have done then folk are right to have and voice thier opinions but in the end the person who bike it is has done what they have for thier own reasons.
Just getting back to @VladTepes original question of
Why ?
I know the bracing does nothing but I like how it looks on the bike that has it (even tho its unpractical as i had to remove the stand) and i wouldn't do the same on my other bike as that's just for using not a project bike.