Stock A-arm ball joints

[The norm]

I have a couple sets of stock A-Arms that were in poor condition and after sandblasting them I decided that the lowers needed new ball joints. The stock 86 uppers have ball joints that can be replaced, but the lowers have welded in ball joints.
Since I have two sons riding R's and both need decent A-Arms I can't just buy two sets of aftermarket arms. So I machined a threaded sleeve that fits in the tube portion of the ball joint.

Step 1:
Cut off ball joint and leave 1.625" of the tube

[The norm]

Step 2:
Machine threaded spacer. The id of the tube that the sleeves go into is .785" so the threaded sleeve is .785" od with m16x1.5  threads.

[The norm]

Step 3:
Tap the threaded sleeve in to the A-Arm tube


Step 4:
Weld the sleeves in.

[The norm]

Now I just need the Ricky Stator ball joints I ordered to show up so I can complete this project.  In the meantime I will do some touch up sand blasting and then paint them GOLD!
Loren

[Hawaiiysr]

Hey that looks great. I know many have thought of this before but I haven't seen it executed

[croat1]

Good job Loren

Joe

[Tbone07]

Very nice!! I know this is what a lot of 450r riders were doing to their stock a-arms. No need to spend big $$$ just to let the kids learn how to ride.

[The norm]

Thanks fellas. I do have a set of burgard A-Arms +2+1 that will go on one of their R's as soon as I can afford to get another set. I want to keep their R's as equal as possible so they have to develop rider skill to best the other guy. No unfair mechanical advantage lol.

[Hawaiiysr]

Seeing that i'm pretty much homeless and my plans have changed drastically as far as working on projects go I, would like to help your plan to level the playing field between your boys by donating a set of
+2 +1 arms. They will not be the prettiest arms and more than likely not be a big name brand but im sure they will be something that you will be happy with. I still have Coopers gold wheels I need to ship out also. Next time im at the house to grab some things ill grab the parts as well.

[Langbolt]

Brilliant!!!!

Great post!

Powder coat them Brass Flair - Prismatic Powders - Will look just like OEM Honda!

[The norm]

Seeing that i'm pretty much homeless and my plans have changed drastically as far as working on projects go I, would like to help your plan to level the playing field between your boys by donating a set of
+2 +1 arms. They will not be the prettiest arms and more than likely not be a big name brand but im sure they will be something that you will be happy with. I still have Coopers gold wheels I need to ship out also. Next time im at the house to grab some things ill grab the parts as well.

Josh you are too kind and generous. Hopefully one day I can repay your kindness

[The norm]

Brilliant!!!!

Great post!

Powder coat them Brass Flair - Prismatic Powders - Will look just like OEM Honda!

Thank you,  I searched for this very same thing and came up with nothing positive. People who don't have any imagination told other's that it would cost the same to update stock arms as it would to buy aftermarket. I just had to prove that type of thinking wrong. I will have about $150 into a set of arms going this route.
Loren

[Langbolt]

Loren,

I've seen where you cut off the old ball joint...and install an aftermarket one that slips in to factory hole.....but your method is by far stronger and making it easy to powdercoat without risking ruining the ball joint boots!

I could see a big demand for these sleeves!!!

Thanks for sharing



John

[The norm]

I was contemplating marketing the sleeves and even offering to modify people's A-Arms.

[Langbolt]

I was contemplating marketing the sleeves and even offering to modify people's A-Arms.

DO IT!!!! There are 400EX owners with the exact same problem too!!!