Why did they change the swingarm?

[JPaganel]

Does anyone know what the rationale was behind changing the aluminum swingarm of the early FJ to the steel one on the late ones? Kinda seems like a step backwards.

[ken65]

i read an article recently that suggests bikes built upto 1990 where built to specs then afterwards to a budget, this is most likely going to be controversal but its just what i read , what year did they change too a steel swinger?

[Harvy]

1991 Ken

Harvy

[movenon]

My 1990 has AL swing arm. 91 up changed to steel. Mine seems to slow down every time I ride by a polishing wheel.....
George

[ken65]

91, thanks for that,

[ribbert]

Does anyone know what the rationale was behind changing the aluminum swingarm of the early FJ to the steel one on the late ones? Kinda seems like a step backwards.

Once the speed of the aerodynamically superior 3XW was realised, along with it's better brakes, wheels, suspension etc, it became obvious the recycled lolly wrapper swing arms on the earlier models wouldn't cut it.
It needed a man's swing arm.

[fintip]

^ 

I also understand that weight savings stopped being a consideration on the later models, and so the cheaper option became preferable.

What interests me, though, is that they went to the trouble to actually design a new one and cast a new mold. Seems like a lot of effort. I suppose the savings on materials justified it, or some engineer had to get his quota of work in, was bored with not enough changing on the bike and not finding any real way to improve it, ha. 

[ken65]

noel says    " Once the speed of the aerodynamically superior 3XW was realised, along with it's better brakes, wheels, suspension etc, it became obvious the recycled lolly wrapper swing arms on the earlier models wouldn't cut it. "


hehe  , thats why it appears everybody except me is fitting aftermarket brakes, wheels, suspension etc especially on the 3XW,  only joking cause i have a 3CV, the 1990 version, ,  built to specs not a budget.. and it appears its not the proto type either, i must of lucked out getting the best model  1st up, at the time i didnt realise that.   ken

[fintip]

Whatever. Doc recommended that if I don't get the '84/'85, the only other possible option was the '86/'87. No interest in an 'upgrade' for me, I still only pine for an '84 actually. (Want to keep my current one though! One for a DR, one as a showpiece restoration!)

[JCainFJ]

One of the reasons they changed the swingarm was to accommodate the ABS pump. If you look the shock on the 91+ FJ's is offset to one side because they needed the space for the pump. Steel is cheaper to fab. too.