Orange 5 Swingarm alignment

LAUNCH69

Hi all,
I have recently got a 2006/07 Five frame from the classifieds.
On closer inspection the swingarm, when viewed from behind, is over to one side of the seat tube.
A friend of mine has manged to sort of centre it using spacers on the pivot, but now it is quite close to one side of the pivot. I am concerned that with a little shifting it could end up fouling the frame. Should the swingarm be dead centre, or is it ok to be slightly off?
Any advice appreciated.
Cheers,
Si
Photo's are here - please excuse the crap photography . . .

http://s1136.photobucket.com/albums/n48 ... _edwards1/

supersonic

That looks well off, I'd get a dealer to check frame alignment.

LAUNCH69

Thanks Sonic,
I have emailed the pictures to Orange.
Do you reckon it may be salvagable?
This frame sort of wiped out my cash reserves. Lesson learned - don't buy when you have not seem something in the flesh . .

adamgraves2009

That looks a bit sketchy. I'd ask for your money back if pos. Iv got a 5 and iv never had any problems with the alignment. It's a simple design bung the bearings and bolts in and go pretty much. It looks like its warped or bent. I'd take the swing arm off and look for dents around the mounts on the frame and see if the swing arm stands level on the floor. This should let you know if its been bent. fif it's the swing arm that mullered you get a replacement from orange. But they a bit hefty on the costs. Or it could be the bearings that are shot but don't think that would cause it to be so out of line. Hope this helps.

LAUNCH69

Thanks Adam, I will have a look at the things you mentioned.

adamgraves2009

No worries dude let me know how you get on.

BigStu2

Or has someone replaced the bearings and not aligned the swingarm in the middle of the frame.

Dirtydog11

BigStu2 wrote:

Or has someone replaced the bearings and not aligned the swingarm in the middle of the frame.

+1

Look at the fifth and sixth photos, then again picture one makes it look twisted.

http://s1136.photobucket.com/albums/n48 ... _edwards1/

LAUNCH69

I sent the photos to Orange and they said to take it to a dealer to check. They said that if the frame was bent then they could try to fix it but that old frames were prone to snapping . . .
I have got in contact with the seller and he has been great. He said that he will finance the repairs or give a full refund - my faith in humanity is restored!
I have had Mountain High Cycles recommended to me by a friend - I will be popping in there tomorrow to get a verdict on the frame. If it is knackered then I will get a refund and buy a new BFe - at least you can weld steel Also I need a frame that can take the Revelations that I have ordered.
Thanks for all your help,
Si

The Northern Monkey

Could just be a Friday job by Orange...

YeehaaMcgee

LAUNCH69 wrote:

at least you can weld steel

How does that help anything exactly?

LAUNCH69

Well If I crash (I do this alot) and damage the frame, It may be easier to salvage the frame than an alu one.
That is my version of logic anyway . . .
Also this has kind of put me off 2nd hand, a new frame that I can afford appeals to me - If the Five is a write off.

supersonic

Not many steel full suss bikes about mind!

YeehaaMcgee

and the chances of mending a properly broken steel frame (realistically) is only slightly higher than the chances of fixing a properly broken aluminium one.

LAUNCH69

True,
This 5 was my first ever attempt at getting a full sus - I thought it would be ideal for the Lakes. If the frame is no good, I need a decent replacement that I can afford. I started a thread on hardtail advice and it came down to c456 or BFe - The Cotic is actually cheaper at the mo, and the available colour schemes on the c456 are horrible(IMO).

I think I am wandering off subject a bit. Just going to keep my fingers crossed that the 5 is fine and that it was all me being a silly tw*t.

YeehaaMcgee

you want an affordable frame, so you thought of Orange? They're one of the priciest (over-priced) frame out there!

LAUNCH69

No,
I just saw this used one in the classifieds for the sameish price of the hardtails I was looking at.

YeehaaMcgee

Oh, I see!

LAUNCH69

Well just got back from the dealer.
Swingarm is definitely not the shape it should be.
As I said before,the seller has been brilliant - so I am sending the Five back and getting a refund.
Thanks again for your help.
Si

mrmonkfinger

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

LAUNCH69 wrote:

at least you can weld steel

How does that help anything exactly?

well, you know, when you're out in the woods, on your bike, with your welding gear in the rucksack...

nicklouse

someone has been playing with the big tools and over done it by the looks of it.

how else can you explain that lack of paint?

YeehaaMcgee

mrmonkfinger wrote:

YeehaaMcgee wrote:

LAUNCH69 wrote:

at least you can weld steel

How does that help anything exactly?

well, you know, when you're out in the woods, on your bike, with your welding gear in the rucksack...

Well, yeah, there is that I guess. Fair point.

Horton

To the OP, your old hardtail thread is now locked, but if you're in the market for a hardtail now, check out the Stanton Slackline - was one of the very few hardtails that made the Top 100 in DIRT (their annual 100 best bikes/components rag) and I know MBUK have had one on test fairly recently because their test rig was being sold a month or so ago, so there might be a review before too long on there.

They're £400 for the frame and they're tops - as aggro as you want it to be, looks good, decent weight and you can build it up how you want. They're super helpful if you want to talk to them about anything too - just contact Dan!

Oh, and they're steel too if you still want to practise your welding...

edit... found a First Look here http://www.bikeradar.com/mtb/news/article/video-stanton-slackline-853-first-look-33441/