Swingarm failure
Got home safely after a very hot trip back form the superb Capofest at Llandovery and decided to clean the old girl up today and discovered this!
Has anyone else had a similar problem?
It looks to be like a weakness in manufacture. Not impressed and feeling a little queasy at the thought of what could have happened on the trip back.
Bloody hell. There does not seem to be a huge amount holding that together.
RSV mille were a common failure due a bolt hole in the inside, where it cracked.
There is a auction on EBAY.co.uk for a swingarm.
sold: "01 Caponord |Flame Red|, Modlist done: Honda CBR600 RR Mosfet (FH008) Rectifier Mod, Brown Connector Mod
now: "04 Caponord |Rally Raid| FH016 Mosfet R/R | GPR Titanium Exhaust|
01 Futura [infinity blue]
Caponord Stanleybobly style loomed MOSFET Rectifiers & Fuelline Kit FS
I remember ...
http://www.apriliaforum.com/forums/s...ghlight=broken
Where's it going to go? there's a big axle, a chain and a rear disc & caliper still attached.Originally Posted by sloth
That said, this is not what you want to see at the end of a big ride.
I'd like to die on Mars. Just not on impact.
The appropriate number of cylinders for any motorcycle is two.
If you go way way back in the forum you will similar cases of cracked frames and swingarms. Either just weld it back again or get a new swingarm off Fleabay.
I had a Ducati that split in the same place (Maybe it was the same Italian welder??) I simply welded it up and continued to race the bike for another 3 seasons.
A mate of mine had a crack on his KTM Adv. He just welded it up and did another 45,000kms.
Aluminium can do this, it's just the luck of the draw. (I know that isn't much consolation. sorry)
Routine maintenance should include inspection of the whole chassis.
My suggestion is........DON'T PANIC!!
On a side issue that is sort of related. The swingarm can often pick up water on the inside. This can cause failure. Something I do with every bike I have ever owned (with an alumium swingarm) is to drill some 2-3mm holes underneath at he lowest point to allow drainage. Last bike I did this to had nearly half a litre of water come out after I drilled it.
There are a few posts on the Advrider forum discussing this.
Ride it like its stolen
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isnt that the bit that holds the "big axle, a chain and a rear disc & caliper" into the rest of the bike.Where's it going to go? there's a big axle, a chain and a rear disc & caliper still attached.
That said, this is not what you want to see at the end of a big ride.
mr and mrs petrol head are very lucky indeed.
desparate situation!
thank god you came off it safe and sound,
I agree a good weld should fix that no worries. I maight consider Andrews tip with drilling a hole, but than I live in the dryest state on the dryest continent in the world, I have to think about it, it woulden't hurt by any means.
Regards,
Alby
I LIVE TODAY AND TOMORROW I DONT KNOW !!!!
DON'T FOLLOW THE PATH, BUT LEAVE A TRAIL!!!!
If you going to be up my arse, at least pull my hair!!!
Even you can have a body like mine, all you have to do, is neglect it !!!!!
Ok - a call to Aprilia suggesting it's a "manufacturing fault" and the bike about to be delivered to Riders of Southampton for them to "discuss with Aprilia technical" if thats the case. Fingers crossed!
Thanks for the comments and pointing out the previous link chaps.
Ellis
Ellis, That makes two of us after new swingarms then.My clean break was also at the weld.
confucious says:- man who ride like hell, bound to get there!! If its got tits or wheels, it will cause you trouble!!
Eeek -I only sat on my bike. No Aston Martin's involved
Bike all packed up and shipped off to the local(ish) Aprilia shop now - so the fun begins!
BTW your chain needs tensioning
Well, that looks like a point that needs some regular inspection. Glad to hear you managed to get home o.K, but you were lucky, that could have caused a serious crash. If you can get Aprilia to sort it for you all well and good, but if you have to sort it yourself, a good Ally welder will make that sound. You could change it for a new one and have the same problem.
That looks pretty scary, indeed. I'm relatively new to the Capo (about a year, now) and I've noticed that when I loosen / tighten the wheel nut (adjusting the chain tension) it appears to put real stress on the aluminium. It visibly bends it inwards as I'm tightening the nut. Hmmm...
OK - initial inspection by the dealer without removing wheel resulted in a few expletives. He asked if Id ever had a chain come off as there was a mark on the inside of the swing arm which I had have happen not long after buying the bike. He stated original chains on Capos were suspect and had "been replaces as a precaution" on advice from Aprilia ( eek ). He's sent a pic off to Aprilia Tech for their comment. I'm happy with the guy at the dealer who seemed very up front, but not at the chain comment or the swingarm failure. Hmm - lets see what Aprilia come back with.
BTW a new swingarm is listed at about 800 pounds - fingers crossed then !
One over here for 96% less. Worldwide shipping offered.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/April...Q5fAccessories
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