185 suspension

[brandosfiero]

well i wanted to make my own back suspension for my 1983 185 atc.i have cut the back part of the frame off.now i need to make my swingarm.i wanted to know if anyone knows of any other atv swingarms that have the same size bearing opening.

[Kaysen]

If I were you, I would cut the frame off behind the tranny, then reinforce the frame. Next find a swingarm off of anything (4 or 3wheeler) that has a shock already attached and a good bearing carrier with a straight axle and possibly a disk brake system, then weld 1/2in plate off of the back of the two down tubes (where the suspension should attach) drill some holes in it and mount the swingarm onto it. This way, no matter if the swingarm you find is too narrow, or too wide you will have some room to adjust the pieces of 1/2in plate to make it fit right. After you have that squared away, get the height that you want the wheeler to sit at, find where the upper shock mount needs to be and fabricate something up that will work.
With this being done, you will need to relocate the airbox (you might could use a piece of 90 degree PVC pipe to hold the air filter off to one side), you will also need to move the exhaust pipe and silencer (I have no other idea how to do this rather than do a drag style pipe or one that comes off of the side of the subframe). You will also have to make a subframe that will hold the plastic, rider, grabbar, and still clear the bearing carrier and brakes when the suspension is fully compressed. If you use a swingarm that has disk brakes you will need to mount a resivoir and rig all that up. So, pretty much take the whole back half off of a suspensioned model and carefully graft it on to your 185 front. This will be a time consuming process no matter how you do it, be patient, measure and re-measure till it is right. there is no room for error, who knows how it would ride if the swingarm was crooked. Good luck, and if you need some input PM me. Kaysen

[Kaysen]

Any news on it? Just wondering, Kaysen

[packhamstruck]

Also woundered if you got anywhere yet, i got 2 frames one is all complete i still drive it, and put a 250r front end on so now i wan to make the back suspension, i was compareing it to my 350x so i have a good idea how i will make it, just woundered how your went

[mymint87]

ya know....Vey's in El Cajon California still has a few 185 suspension kits....give em a call

[brandosfiero]

hi well i didnt mean to post this again i dont know how i did that.well i have gotten most of it back together but my pice of crap camera needs batteries.