Rear suspension dog bones What's the reason for the dog bone shape????

[bikerjimbob]

Hi All,

Today I made a set of dog bones for my FJ1200 rear suspension, and it got me thinking about the shape.
I can understand the rounding at the ends to give clearance but why the reduced centre section??? is it to reduce weight? just looks better??? or what.

Looking forward to all the answers.

Cheers Jim

[red]

Jimbob,

Saves on material, that's all.  These things are cut from a metal plate, so the layout pattern counts. 
They would work as well if they were the same width as the widest part of the OEM dog-bone, for the full length.  Prolly more people would make their own that way, also, instead of buying the special parts.