Is there a difference between an 855 and 856 swingarm?

[Colin]

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.

[shovelon]

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

[sammydog]

But to throw a spanner in the works........

Note the location of the pivots on my 955 (my 855 is the same).


compared to the catalog 955


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.

[Spokes]

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

[rapiddescent]

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.

[kiwi]

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?

[rapiddescent]

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.