Swing arm end cap - .: XT660.com

timboo · # 1 11-01-12, 23:07

My swing arm end caps on my xt660x 2006 have become nice and rusty due to them being made from steel.
I decided to have a bash myself and create new ones that will last forever (from aluminium).

This is due to only being able to source the same old rubbish from yamaha or alternate order them from a site outside UK at �35.00 each so here goes.

I'm having a new tyre fitted over weekend and going to install my mod to my bike.
If successful I'll post the before and after pics, however for now below is a pic of one of my new plates, with a drain cut out and a bolt with nuts threaded through to illustrate what it should look like when on the bike.

See what you think

timboo · # 2 13-01-12, 15:23

BEFORE

timboo · # 3 13-01-12, 15:24

AFTER

maxwell123455 · # 4 13-01-12, 20:42

Nice job there are pretty baldy painted

timboo · # 5 13-01-12, 22:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxwell123455

Nice job there are pretty baldy painted

Yup the Yamaha ones sure are can't go wrong with aluminium. Guess they make them from steel originally to keep cost down.

Pleiades · # 6 14-01-12, 11:35

Nice work, looks neat.

Quote:

Originally Posted by timboo

I decided to have a bash myself and create new ones that will last forever (from aluminium).

Just a cautionary note/tip... You may find the the aluminium you've used (alloys aren't as bad) gets eaten away over time at the edges (where in contact with the steel end of the swing arm) by galvanic corrosion, weakening the structure. It'd be prudent to insulate the two different metals. You could use grease, a cut rubber sheet, but I use this stuff (muts nuts for this sort of thing)...

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/lubri...Harken_Tef_Gel

Good on any mixed metals in contact with each other and it'll keep your shiny new aluminiumm bling bits looking nice too! I have learnt the hard way about galvanic corrosion with aluminium/steel contact over 25 years of owning old series Land Rovers!

timboo · # 7 14-01-12, 12:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pleiades

Nice work, looks neat.

Just a cautionary note/tip... You may find the the aluminium you've used (alloys aren't as bad) gets eaten away over time at the edges (where in contact with the steel end of the swing arm) by galvanic corrosion, weakening the structure. It'd be prudent to insulate the two different metals. You could use grease, a cut rubber sheet, but I use this stuff (muts nuts for this sort of thing)...

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/lubri...Harken_Tef_Gel

Good on any mixed metals in contact with each other and it'll keep your shiny new aluminiumm bling bits looking nice too! I have learnt the hard way about galvanic corrosion with aluminium/steel contact over 25 years of owning old series Land Rovers!

Before fitting them i did think for a slit second if there would be any issues with different metals meeting. Obviously there is now you mention that. Thanks for the info much appreciated. I'll sort it ;-)

Pleiades · # 8 14-01-12, 13:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by timboo

Before fitting them i did think for a slit second if there would be any issues with different metals meeting. Obviously there is now you mention that. Thanks for the info much appreciated. I'll sort it ;-)

No problem. Just one of those things that's easy to overlook but easy/cheap to sort.

timboo · # 9 15-01-12, 13:16

wish spokes were that easy lol.

timboo · # 10 16-01-12, 13:03

if anyone needs a pair making let me know

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