Another long travel a-arm ?

[YZ Otis]

Want to know how much travel long travel a-arms really have. Has anyone measured theirs with the spring off the shock? Wheel travel ... bump stop to fully extended? Expect different brands, lengths & shocks will be different. Would just like to get an idea how much is actually being gained.

 

[lasxgames]

http://www.blasterforum.com/entries-botm-108/december-2010-blaster-month-entries-33986/
We currently running
Front Shocks: 16" Triple Rate elka LT shocks/remote rezzi dual adj.
Rear Shock: 16" Elka long travel dual rate rezi shock

 

[Blasterdude27]

Most 46-48" quads have the same amount of travel, regardless of shock length. Exactly why, I couldn't tell you.

You can actually get more travel with a shorter shock because they have more upwards ^ travel.

But the longer the shock the softer you can valve it without it bottoming out. You can also have more sag and droop sag.

Probably the only companies that make true lt arms are walsh and houser for 250r's and the newer 450's.

As far as blasters go, sms's are the closest you can get. My guess is they have ~10"~ or travel depending on the shock. If you want more your going to have to build it yourself.

 

[motoman9911]

Any extended a-arm is technically long travel.

 

[YZ Otis]

Stock a-arms are limited by the ball joints binding at the top & bottom of the swing. No matter what type of shock you use they can only travel so far. Heim type ball joints can pivot to a sharper angle so the arms can travel farther before they bind. It would be my guess that the shock should be the travel stop, not the ball joint. Don't wanna damage your ball joints, eh. Travel can be increased by moving the lower shock mount in. That also changes the leverage on the shock and the angle of the shock. Of course the length of the arm makes a difference. Seems like there's a lot of small things going on that make a big difference in your suspension. I was just looking for some real travel measurements so I could get a rough idea what some of these manufactures are really selling us and to see where the mods I'm making stack up.
I'm not really looking for expert shock theory, that would just make me feel dumber, just some real wheel travel numbers & what setup

 

[motoman9911]

You want rear wheel travel distances? That's the swingarm. Unless you meant front wheels.

 

[brandoz28]

i believe he's talking front wheel travel.


Otis, have you measured stock vs your long travel setup?

 

[revin-it02]

ASR +3+1 long travel a-arms with 16.5 inch ELKA triple rates

full travel is just a c-hair under 10 inches

 

[YZ Otis]

Thanks revin-it02 ...that's just the kinda info I'm lookin for ... good ol tape measure stuff ...LOL

Brando ... I haven't bothered to measure my stock arms with the modded mount. It's as far as the arm can travel with stock ball joints. I'll measure that before I cut up those arms. I've got ball joints on the way. Have to turn some receivers for them & make some jigs so I can maintain the geometry and keep track of the changes. I've scrounged up an extra set of arms to cut up for testing. Like most of my goofy projects we'll prolly have to wait till the quads done for any results and I got no idea when that'll be ... LOL

 

[brandoz28]

did you get my link to the thread on bhq where a guy did the same thing with the banshee arms?

 

[YZ Otis]

Appreciate the link Brando ... planned on doing a couple things a little different but that is the plan ... nice work and very encouraging. Been practicing a little ball joint porting on some old ones ...LOL

 

[blasterfreek30]

Appreciate the link Brando ... planned on doing a couple things a little different but that is the plan ... nice work and very encouraging. Been practicing a little ball joint porting on some old ones ...LOL

what otis no "buurrrrp" this morning lol

 

[YZ Otis]

LOL ... it's early on a Christmas morning ... gotta take a break once a year to get ready for New Year!