Swing Arm Help

[Magilla]

Hi to all members, I am going to be building an R/T based on the Volts Wagon GX3 using the 1.8T motor and Transmission. I am also looking to use the Single Swing Arm as used on the GX3. I am looking for suggestions on the design of swing arm. I now it will have to hold a lot more force than a typical motorcycle single swing arm. So any help will be great. Thanks Magilla

[stretchmobileski]

Are you going to weld up the differential and chain drive off of one side? If so, you are going to have to make some decisions before you start. Which side you are going to drive off of, length of swing arm, offset of the wheel, tire diameter, bearing housing and brake. There needs to be a way to adjust the chain slack, usually an eccentric. I was going to build one at one time and use a raw VW bearing housing because they are cheap and the bearings, seal, axle and brakes are readily available.



I was going to use some universal urethane bushings for the pivot.



I was also planning on building in some adjustability to align it afterwards. Use good material and welding techniques.

[Magilla]

Yes I was planning on using the VW IRS bearing housing set up, axle and disc brakes. On the privet I was going use some type of bearings but maybe the bushing will work. The strength of the arm itself is what has me needing help with. I have looked online for what I need and photo below is all I found. Thanks Magilla

[stretchmobileski]

The farther apart your pivot points are, the less precise the bearings, bushings have to be. Normal motorcycles are built to be as narrow as possible for handling and center of gravity. The swing arms have pivot points close together and usually have ball bearings to control the play. The urethane bushings above are used in off road buggy suspensions. They work well because the pivot points are usually far apart. Reverse trike usually have plenty of room to spread the load.

[Liteway]

I used precisely the bushings you pictured here, Stretch. A perfect fit when jammed in the into ends of a 16.5 X 1.75 X .10 chrome molly tube, it formed the starting point for my swing arm.