Looking to add additional high speed stability and the ability to handle the rough desert terrain, we decided it was time to intall a long swing-arm. Our choice - a +2 swingarm. We may lose a little in our turning radius and tight corners, but that should easily be made up for out in the desert terrain. With the additional horsepower we have added this should also help keep the front end closer to the ground. We contacted Tucker Racing Development in Portland Oregon for one of their custom Yamaha Raptor swingarms. The arms are constructed with 4130 chromoly with a wall thickness of .156" and have endured many hours of motocross and sand dune testing. Standard sizes are +2, +4, and +6 but Tucker will build a swingarm to any length to fit your riding style and conditions. The swingarm can be ordered bare or you can order it powder coated any color for an additional $75, or with a show-chrome finish for an additional $175. We ordered ours powder coated silver. The Tucker Pro swingarm requires an aftermarket bearing carrier which we were looking for anyhow. The twin row carrier makes it much easier to adjust the chain and they can be purchased for the stock 35mm axle or for a 40 mm drag axle. The standard twin row carrier adds about $200. All the stock bolt on swingarm components such as brake calipers, shock linkages, will bolt on exactly as they do to your stock unit. You can even use the stock shock bolt. The stock rear brake line will work up to a +4" but we opted for a new Galfer braided lines. Stock pivot bearings are used on the swingarm but we ordered ours with a new Pivot Works pivot kit. The swingarm comes with a new TM Design Works chain slider.
Installation You will want to put your ATV up on a stand so that the swingarm will hang freely. We did not have our Pro ATV stand from Motorsports products yet so we opted for a stool under the bottom skid plate. Remove the skidplate for easier access then remove the chain. You can now unbolt the rear shock linkage and then your only left with the swingarm pivot bolt. You may want to prop the swingarm assembly up while removing the pivot bolt as the complete assembly with axle and all is somewhat heavy. With stock swingarm off you can reverse the procedure with the new Tucker Pro swingarm. We installed the swingarm without axle and hubs so that it was lighter and could be be held in place easier while installing the pivot bolt. Reattach the shock linkage and your swingarm is installed and ready for the RPM axle, and GYT-R hubs, brake carrier, and sprocket carrier. Watch for an article next month on the RPM axle.
Summary After recently completing the Las Vegas 200 I can say that the Tucker Pro swingarm was definately the right choice. In combination with the Alba Pro A-arms and Works Pro Series shocks on the front, the +2 Tucker Pro Swingarm on the rear, the suspension on Project Raptor is working very well and took us to a 2nd place finish in the Amateur division. The only related problem was when we lost the swingarm plate. We will be using red lock tite on the next race and may even drill the bolts and safety wire them. The chain adjustment is now very simple compared to the complicated setup from Yamaha. In addition to working great the Tucker Pro Arm is a very nice looking swingarm. We give it two thumbs up!
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