Ok was looking into an aftermarket swing arm ... which one to use ...

I searched thru the forums and have been stumped !

I am tired of the factory chain adjustment on my 03 Z400

I am needing to know what parts I would need to get i.e. Swing-arm, carrier, bearings.

I am going to reuse the stock axle for now .


Thanx
Gregg

Just get a later model carrier and adjuster plate...it'll make it a lil easier....but i really dont see the big deal there anyway....i adjust mine with no issues.

unfortunately its rather expensive to replace with an after market swingarm,even to mod your own swingarm
may cost you $400.

i know of some one but thats up to you

I bought the Z used and it wasn't very well maintained.

I started reading thru the recommended maintenance in my Clymer, and found all sorts of issues , mostly minor stuff that turns into major stuff if it isn't checked.

So when i was trying to adjust the chain ... the bolts that go thru the carrier were all crapped up. The chain was tweaked ... the teeth on both sprockets were pretty worn.

I was thinkin this winter about a complete tear-down and using a new swing arm and accessories. That way I don't have to reuse the old stuff .. it isn't in very good condition anyway.



Gregg

You know someone sellin' an after mrkt swinger?

he is Gary Kaufman (nitrogary@comcast.net)

you send him your swingarm ,he will make it longer

well are you looking to have a longer swinger or just one that is useable. If it were me I would just buy an 04 and up swinger and parts. It's probably way cheaper and there is only one bolt on the back instead of two (easy adjustments)

I am looking for a swinger that is in better condition and easier to adjust. I dont think the bearings have ever been maintained in the stock one. I had to literally beat one of the 4 top bolts of with an air hammer and a damaged bolt extractor.
So an 04 or newer only has one bolt ?

If the swinger from an '04 or newer will work ..then that is what I will be after.

Only one adjuster bolt on the very back of the swingarm. thats the only big difference. it makes it easier to adjust. the other 4 big bolts are still there of course. if your carrier is in good shape, i'd jus put a new set of all balls bearings and seal in and call it a day. unless your hell bent of buying the newer style carrier. jus make sure when adjusting the carrier you have now, make sure you get it even.

Click below Should solve your swingarm problems.

The swingarm on the home page is a round style LTZ400 swingarm +4

Can I use my 03 swingarm and put a 04 or newer carrier and hardware in it ?

This craziness with the 2 adjusting bolts is driving me nuts ... I just cant get it adjusted for the life of me ....


Gregg

IMO the rears of the Z's are under-engineered (to save weight, I suppose) - If you are doing any serious frequent riding, or racing, an upgraded swinger and axle are probably a good idea. Keep in mind I don't know what type of riding you do, for comparison sake, I ride trails in WV and Eastern Ohio, rough and steep with a good bit of technical stuff. In about 40 hours total ride time, I had to replace all my wheel/axle bearings and have my cracked swingarm welded.

the newer carriers won't just bolt in... The bolt pattern for the four bolts on top is also different. So you'll need to make new slotted holes as well as buying the carrier and the endplate. Now you've got a ghetto looking swingarm plus however much work or how much it cost to get the holes put in.

Take everything apart and clean it good. The double bolts really aren't that hard.... Although an aftermarket swingarm is waaay easier

Mannn ...thanx for the info Camaro ... I almost screwed myself !

I am of the mind now to do an aftermarket swingarm and carrier ... seen several different brands. I have no clue which one to go with ?

I just started riding 4 or so months ago, I ride in the woods mostly.

I was thinkin of going a couple of inches longer on the swingarm to control how it wants to come up on me.

Now for a loaded question ... Is there any particular brand that is preferred ?


Thanx for the help !

Gregg

basically there all about the same. -1 swingarms are for tt, +1-2 are for mx, and above that is basically for dragging. ltzguy has an opinion on his +4 being multiuse too i'm sure he'll chime in. just try looking for one on here and ebay for a used one and save a lot of money

Well could explain why im burning my axel/swing arm bearings almost seasonly! and i am greasing them every second to 3rd trip....

i like to clease the junk gease out of new bearings onput in either lucas or white lithium grease. i find it lasts longer.

i chose a 4" swinger cause i drag race more than anything, but i still ride the bike in multiple situations and it works for me. trail/woods riding its definately not an issue, but its not ideal for mx and jumping. if you dont have a heck of a motor and you do a 4", popping it up when you want to will be a problem. best all around would prolly be a 1.5"-2"i did modify the steering stop to be able to u turn as tight.

Yea... im using heavy duty tractor grease... my old man notice the stock grease is chit... so he put in a heavy based grease that he would in his tractor... but now i got play in my axel again... so next thing hes going to say is... those bearings where junk find a dif kind... im using all balls...


Yea with my engine set up I need now to have the suspension.... ONLY reason I have a built engine like now is because it took a dump on me....

tractor grease may not hold up to the high rpm your axle turns...try lucas next time. or even a moly based grease...of you could get you a tube of powdered graphite and in a small container mix it in with some lucas or high speed bearing grease....that would be a nice concoction. i always try to use synthetic.