Snapped Swing Arm

[GTIARR]

Hey guys I just brought the bike on Tuesday first time downhilling with it was today.. Hit a nice drop off and landed it and noticed something dragged along the ground!!

Its a 04 Norco Atomik..

Any ideas on what to do?

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/7053/photo0351hm3.jpg
http://img178.imageshack.us/img178/7464/photo0355rw8.jpg

[DWN-HLR]

i dont really know but maybe gripsport can do something..............that really sucks by the way haha

[Booost]

Buy a new bike/frame

[BLAKE-2234]

call gripsports or buy a new frame i know you just got it but maybe something new is in store for you:)

[karlfaith]

Unlucky mate, i thikn a new frame would be the best option.

[jaseh]

Buy a new swingarm:confused:

[Christo]

Must've been cracked when you bought it. That's more than the usual crack you first get. Oh well, ya gets what ya pays for...

[GTIARR]

Yea, I sent grip some photos see what he thinks or I'll see if i can get a swing arm..

[tim_69]

Must've been cracked when you bought it. That's more than the usual crack you first get. Oh well, ya gets what ya pays for...

Nope this was not cracked when it was sold mate.

[Nightprowler]

*Points too Norco symbol* there’s ya problem mate. If a new frame is out of your budget maybe contact Norco and see you if you can still get rear swing arm. If not grip-sport should be able to do it.:)

[Rik]

Nope this was not cracked when it was sold mate.It was either cracked (barely visible hairline) or had suffered some serious stress before it was sold. It takes alot for aluminium to "just go snap", fatigue over time is what usually does it.
But meh, that's the risk of buying 2nd hand, you don't know if something is like new or about to fail.

[Viv92]

*Points too Norco symbol* there’s ya problem mate. If a new frame is out of your budget maybe contact Norco and see you if you can still get rear swing arm. If not grip-sport should be able to do it.:)

Norco's are some of the strongest bikes out there. To bad they weigh like they've been eating many many pies to get like that.

[tim_69]

It was either cracked (barely visible hairline) or had suffered some serious stress before it was sold. It takes alot for aluminium to "just go snap", fatigue over time is what usually does it.
But meh, that's the risk of buying 2nd hand, you don't know if something is like new or about to fail.

Yer well if it was it was barley visable. That is an 05 swingarm on it as it was replaced, and that swingarm only got used for about 10 rides. Then was sitting around for about a year so yes...

[GTIARR]

Settle guys im sure tim_69 didn't know it was cracked!

I'll just send it too grip and forget about it!!

I would buy a better bike but I'm 26 and just wanting to free ride now and then so no need,

[Rik]

Yer well if it was it was barley visable.Oh, the problem could've been in the grain of the metal :D
I didn't know Tim_69 was the seller, oh well...

[Grip]

Best bloke to to talk to re a replacement stay would be Derek Yates from Norco. You can contact him via PM here on Farkin.

I don't have any idea if a replacement is available, however if you do go for a new one you're really buying exactly the same (known) problem/issue again.

If you do decide to get it repaired this is what you can expect (see attached photos) with 4mm thick gussets shaped and fitted top and bottom after the break is repaired and the stay realigned. Cost = $220 (unpainted) and it certainly ends up much stronger than the original ever was.

The best way of getting your swingarm/stay to us is to box or wrap it securely in cardboard and simply post it using Australia Post to the address below. Please include ALL contact details (day and evening phone number and return address) and we'll call you to arrange payment as soon as it's repaired.

Hope you don't mind me replying here rather than to the email you sent me but I thought others might like to see what's involved in repairing breaks like that too.

Cheers
Jon Weaving
GripSport Pty Ltd
1581 Main Road,
RESEARCH. Vic. 3095.
Ph (03) 9437 1954
www.gripsport.com.au (http://www.gripsport.com.au/)

[GTIARR]

Thanks Jon,

Appreiciate the reply so quick very professional!

I'll be pulling it apart today and I'll send it off too you!!

Good idea letting everyone else know how you work aswell,

Cheers Matt

[GTIARR]

Just noticed other side has a hair line crack on the opposite side, being 98kg's I wouldnt be good heavy? Or you think ??!!

I'm very curious!

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5426/photo0351ma3.jpg

[Rik]

Cracks take time to develop. Although it may have just cracked once the other side let go completely.

So... a bike is ridden, its swingarm is damaged/destroyed requiring a replacement swingarm (unless there's another reason for the 05 swingarm on 04 bike). The bike is then sold, and the swingarm fails completely within days. Hmm.

[sammydog]

Weren't the 04 and 05 atomics completely different bikes??

I thought the 05 Atomik had a 10mm longer chainstay than an 04 Atomik, although I guess that could be due to the location of the pivot point.

[karlfaith]

Cracks take time to develop. Although it may have just cracked once the other side let go completely.

So... a bike is ridden, its swingarm is damaged/destroyed requiring a replacement swingarm (unless there's another reason for the 05 swingarm on 04 bike). The bike is then sold, and the swingarm fails completely within days. Hmm.

*Twilight zone*

[GTIARR]

Rik, I agree somethings not adding up and the drop off I did wasnt harsh at all, maybe the x owner should go 50/50 with the bill from grip

[floody]

Well, my logic says "hello, this guy has had the swingarm replaced before" so the failure has to be down to one of two things;
-previous owner's riding; or
-swingarms have an inherent defect.

Generally I'd swing to the first being the cause. But perhaps it is the frame. If you can't get any joy with Norco (and fair enough if they don't want to pitch in being that its a 2 owner, nearly 4 year old rig), I reckon the pair of you should work something out between you - without casting aspersions on anyone it is a little sus that it broke that soon.

[Grip]

GTIARR, do me a favour and also send down the seat stay and the pivot bushes/bolts etc. That rear end is likely to be way out of alignment after breaking like that and riding away so I'd like to check both stays. No extra cost.

Cheers

[Rik]

without casting aspersions on anyone it is a little sus that it broke that soon.Mmm, something I was leaning to that as I'm a bit tired of seeing sellers getting away with all sorts of silliness with no responsibility taken.

It stumps me to see kids advertising stuff claiming it's in good condition and whatever, yet they haven't even pulled the thing apart or even cleaned it before selling. That's one of the first things you should do before considering a sale - dismantling and/or cleaning the item and giving it a good inspection. I don't want to go hounding tim_69 too much but given the results of this thread something just doesn't add up.
Fair enough you can't always see the cracks or warning signs, but it's a bit weak to say "not my problem" if a bike fails due to fatigue within a week of it being sold.
More responsibility for sellers, that's my campaign for the 07 election.

[Nightprowler]

Mmm, something I was leaning to that as I'm a bit tired of seeing sellers getting away with all sorts of silliness with no responsibility taken.

It stumps me to see kids advertising stuff claiming it's in good condition and whatever, yet they haven't even pulled the thing apart or even cleaned it before selling. That's one of the first things you should do before considering a sale - dismantling and/or cleaning the item and giving it a good inspection. I don't want to go hounding tim_69 too much but given the results of this thread something just doesn't add up.
Fair enough you can't always see the cracks or warning signs, but it's a bit weak to say "not my problem" if a bike fails due to fatigue within a week of it being sold.
More responsibility for sellers, that's my campaign for the 07 election.

Yeah I agree kids that don’t search the bike nor clean shouldn’t advertise the bike in *great condition” unless they have full inspected, it could have a crack but be filled in with mud or something. I personally would maybe ask tim_69 to pay half (if not more) of the total cost that it takes to fix, frames should snap that easy.:(

[smj]

After you got the bike did you take it home and check it thoroughly for any cracks or anything? thats always a good idea
there may or may not have been cracks there when you bought it, possibly after you snapped it the second cracked formed because of the stress ?

Also did you tune the suspension after you bought it?
If it was set for a light rider, and its an old bike those things probably help

just my two cents

[tim_69]

You guy's need to calm down, Like Matt and I cant work this out. Yes last year or late 05 I found a hairline crack in it. So i obiously i got a new swingarm under warrenty and they told me it was an 05 swingarm, sure it might be an 04 one but i really have no idea what a 05 one looks like to compare it. It then got used at one race and rode about another 5 times and has sat around in my garage for a long time because i got into dirtjumping. Yes i no part of this must be my fault as i did not check for cracks, i thought everything would be fine as I took it to a bike store and told them i am selling this and for them to check up on everything and also have everything running, Obiously not. But yer of course im trying to work this out, i am happy to be paying half for the repairs.

Tim

[GTIARR]

smj- I washed & checked over it... it cracked UNDER NEATH the tape which prevents the chain rubbing.. Must have been on the inside of the frame where i didnt feel too see..

I tuned the suspension to my weight first thing i did! :)

[Jon]

You guy's need to calm down, Like Matt and I cant work this out. Yes last year or late 05 I found a hairline crack in it. So i obiously i got a new swingarm under warrenty and they told me it was an 05 swingarm, sure it might be an 04 one but i really have no idea what a 05 one looks like to compare it. It then got used at one race and rode about another 5 times and has sat around in my garage for a long time because i got into dirtjumping. Yes i no part of this must be my fault as i did not check for cracks, i thought everything would be fine as I took it to a bike store and told them i am selling this and for them to check up on everything and also have everything running, Obiously not. But yer of course im trying to work this out, i am happy to be paying half for the repairs.

Tim
Sounds like the perfect attitude and solution in the one post,full marks Tim 69.
cheers jon

[PSYCHO-T]

I have learnt from experiance. if you Brake anything.
just use the Manlyest thing ever
GAFFA TAPE..

cant go wrong... Ever..

and if it does take it in to get welded.

[Rik]

You guy's need to calm downI'm pretty calm right now, dunno about you.
If you're willing to work things out then we can use you as a shining example of what sellers should do when shit goes wrong ;)

[GTIARR]

Still waiting for $100 to be put into my account...

[spyderman_au]

Still waiting for $100 to be put into my account...

Be fair, it's only been 6 months....... These things take time:p

[grandmabacon]

ooorrrrrrr unlucky :(

buy another bike

[GTIARR]

I sent it off too grip today to get it rewelded up..

I'll be chasing Tim up for the $100- which is very fair as I only owned it a few days before the break.

[Viv92]

Wow, how much do you weigh?

Unless you were an uber hack rider I can't really see how anything a new guy would hit could do that to a bike? I reckon it had to be dodgy before hand.

[GTIARR]

would have been prior to purchase..