wanting to strecth rear end

in the middle of bobbing the bike, got the "swingarm" done but standing back looking at it, it looks too short. im thinking of going 6 inches longer... any suggestions? i once saw someone with a chain-driven xj on here that stretched theirs, but i cant find the thread now, it looked freakin sweet.

 

If you are handy with a welder they are not hard to do. It will require building a jig to hold everything square while doing the work. Remember you will also have to extend the brake rod and get a longer chain. There are shops that will do it foe you but it will set you back a couple hundred bucks or more. Search the net there are may pictorial "how to"

 

Shafties can stretch as well, just need to machine (or add too)
a drive shaft to fit.

I've seen a lot of these builds and they look great. Can't say how
performance changes though.

 

XJ bobbers pop up occasionally on eBay motors as well which may give you some ideas.

 

thankfully mine is chain driven so i dont have to worry about a modified drive shaft.

 

decided to go 6 inches longer, this is the progress so far (actually first pic ive ever put on here of the xj)...

 

i like the stretch. looks like you are off to a great start. ill be following so POST THOSE PICS!!!

 

this was the initial fab. i thought it looked too short, sissy-like if you will. this is what sold me on stretching it

 

well im almost finished. now ive got to smooth the welds, paint it, do the wiring and figure out my tail and brake lights.

 

oh, and i need to figure out how im going to cover the seat

 

here's another

 

Brother, you are going to need to put some triangulation cross-bracing though that extension or the first major bump you hit, they will be sacraping you up! 8O

Think of all of the down forc playing on that hardtail when you are riding. Bike weight, your weight and hit a big bump and add the multiplier!

Connect the bottom tubes to the top tubes with individual cross-braces to add some reinforcement and you will be much better off!

 

Yep. I'd add a little more metal in the back. But adding some stretch to these bikes is the right way to go. They look kinda "squatty" if ya don't.

 

So my question is was this originally a chain driven bike or has it been moded and can i see a pic of the drive from the motor.

 

The 550 is the only size XJ that is chain driven.

 

True, but it is not the only chain driven "maxim"...

 

Looking good. I wouldn't cover seat. Looks good as is.

 

i wasnt wanting to add any more than i had to to the frame, but i guess it wouldnt look too bad if i added it as close to the rear axle as possible. it is originally chain driven. and about leaving the seat uncovered...try living in florida where the heat causes factory rearview mirrors to melt inside cars and cds or credit cards to melt if left in the seat of a vehicle. having a 120*+ metal seat wouldnt be so comfortable 8O

 

and by the way, i should have some semi-end product pics up tomorrow

 

this is pretty much it. since this picture ive shortened the kickstand and reinforced the rear fender. im still having a fit of a time figuring out what i want to use for padding on the seat.