K2 / Proflex Riders Group
General => Tech Forum => Topic started by: sammydog on November 19, 2009, 05:29:36 pm
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Question is in the thread topic. Basically I have two swingarms (from an 855 and 955) but want to have disc tabs welded to one for use on the new 856 frame.
Can anyone think of any reasons why this won't work? I thought I had previously heard that the x55 swingarms were a bit weaker and shouldn't be used with disc brakes but I can't seem to verify this.
If there are differences in the swingarms, what are they?
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afaik know they are interchangeable as the x56 was an updated x55.That is not to say the swingarms are identical
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I know they are interchangeable so I am not too worried about that. I had read on here though that there are subtle differences that make the x56 a lot stronger for disc tabs.
I was hoping to find out what the differences are. I know my x55's came with x56 struts so I guess I am trying to find out if I have x56 swingarms as well. I can't seem to source a spare swingarm anyway so my hands are probably tied into working with what I have.
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Girvin-Pro-Flex-Swingarm-755-855-955-756-856-NEW_W0QQitemZ220511852285QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item335787d6fd
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Thanks for that, I've sent a message to see if the seller will post to Australia. Reading the add though, I don't think the seller will send to Australia. They do say
USA bidders ONLY!! No exceptions, please don't ask.
No one has bidded so maybe they will change their mind. Its perfect for what I need.
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I can buy it and send it your way.
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Thanks willie, can you PM me you email.
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Thanks to Willie_B the swingarm issue is all sorted. Once it cicumnavigates the globe I'll get the disc tabs sorted.
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I have pictures of an 855 and the rear strut mounts more towards the centre of the arm then it does on my 856 ???
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Hmmmm,.......... sure it's an 855?
show us the pictures................
Col.
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Maybe a picture of a 954 ?.
Chris
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Maybe a picture of a 954 ?.
Chris
954 was my first thought.
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the 855 swingarm suffered from cracks where the dropout sections met the main box section of the swingarm. If you look at an 856 or the 856.3289473 version then you'll see there's a much stronger join there. The 856 had quite a few bug fixes on the frame over the 855. the 855 sold way more in the USA, Eu sold more 856...
I was always really nervous about selling the X56HH for the 855 because you could literally move the dropout (with a disk brake adapter) with your fingers. This would lead to irregular pad wearing etc.
However, if you are welding on an adapter then just bulk it out and you'll be ok.
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Going off the pictures, I am pretty sure the new one on the way is an x56 swingarm, so hopefully its all good.
Funny with the weak points on the x55 swingarms, mine actually cracked around the pivot mounts.
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I have pictures of an 855 and the rear strut mounts more towards the centre of the arm then it does on my 856 ???
Hmmmm,.......... sure it's an 855?
show us the pictures................
Col.
I forgot about this sorry and don’t visit here often …
Note the fore / aft positioning of the rear strut mounts :
955 :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Peter1/MTB/955.jpg)
855 :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Peter1/MTB/855.jpg)
My 856 :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Peter1/MTB/DSC04282.jpg)
Actually a more similar position to the 755 :
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Peter1/MTB/755.jpg)
Hope that helps,
WD :)
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Yep! Can't dispute those pictures!
That's from the 1995 catalogue, I've just had a look at my copy and it sure looks like the strut mounts are nearer the canti's than on an 856.
BUT................that's just a catalogue.............EVERY "Real Life" x55 that I've seen has had the strut mounts in the same position as on the 856.
All I can guess is that these were just drawings and photos of early pre-production models?
If someone gets their hands on a real one of these, I reckon they'll really have something unique!
Col.
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Yep! Can't dispute those pictures!
.............EVERY "Real Life" x55 that I've seen has had the strut mounts in the same position as on the 856.
Col.
I would have to agree.
Terry
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But to throw a spanner in the works........
Note the location of the pivots on my 955 (my 855 is the same).
(http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k316/sammydogg/bike/955_small.jpg)
compared to the catalog 955
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0903/Peter1/MTB/955.jpg)
Interesting that my x55's came brand new with the x56 rear ends. If only they had ODS instead of the friction shock.
It also explains why the brand new x56 swingarm I just got is exactly the same (other than sticker changes and colour) to that of what I had thought was an x55 swingarm.
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Sammydog, your 955 truely is a thing of beauty. You just cant beat the contrast between polished frame and carbon crosslinks. It makes me want to take a tin of paint stripper to all my bikes.. One day I'll have a shiney bike too...
Chris
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I can't find anything in the tech manuals to support this but can add that the 955 was different to the other bikes because it was manufactured in a small factory in the USA at Rhode Island - unlike the others, that were made in tiawan. The pro bikes were also made there. I think this facility - being close to the designers etc - had the benefit of getting the upgrades faster.
certainly, back in the day of the 855Heads - we noticed that the 855 changed part way through the year, probably due to the horrendous frame failures that started to occur with the 855 - we use to call it the 855.939475 (i.e. a made up number after the point) as a joke. The 955, being built locally, could adapt faster.
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I can't find anything in the tech manuals to support this but can add that the 955 was different to the other bikes because it was manufactured in a small factory in the USA at Rhode Island - unlike the others, that were made in tiawan. The pro bikes were also made there. I think this facility - being close to the designers etc - had the benefit of getting the upgrades faster.
certainly, back in the day of the 855Heads - we noticed that the 855 changed part way through the year, probably due to the horrendous frame failures that started to occur with the 855 - we use to call it the 855.939475 (i.e. a made up number after the point) as a joke. The 955, being built locally, could adapt faster.
was the 956 also a rhose island bike callum?
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yes, I think so. The 956 was made from a better grade aluminium than the 856 even though the frames look identical.
when RI closed and moved to Vashon Island, they had a small facility there for a short while before everything started to go wrong with K2 Bike.