Changing rear shock and found terminal rust in swingarm...

[T ALP]

Just wondering if you have been off road? considered the possibility off acid in the crap thats been left on the swingarm from cow **** or peat bog, or could it just be rock salt. In any case its as well you found it!

[Dickster]

As long as there is some good steel on that side weld a new plate right across the whole piece making sure you brace the arm apart first or your need smaller hub spacers
Once done and painted drill a drain out hole and squirt loads of under seal into the cavity to stop it rusting through again.
It is only a brace to stop arms twisting another plate will only make it stronger than std.
And yes I have done this sort of thing before and it worked a treat

Thanks for the tip but I got one on ebay for £40 posted so sorted now - assuming it arrives ok.

As I said, it appears to have rotted from the outside, so I dont see the point of protecting inside and drain hole? I may be wrong...

A good indication of whether you may have a problem lurking is to remove the chain tensioners and see if there is any loose rust in the end. I saw some ages ago and never thought anything of it! Presumably it has flaked off the pivot end of the arm and travelled down each arm.

No, although it looks like it, the bike has never been off road. Its used 365 days a year for commuting and rarely gets a wash! I think you realised that already!

Cheers

[paulc]

Glad you found one anyway, I've been looking for a Katana 550mx swinging arm fer ages now .
If you think your old one is bad you would'nt believe what I found when I took me suzukis one off it was really really nasty.
I was lucky when I decided to strip the bike down for a refit and paint