'88 swingarm on '85 single shock frame?

Hi guys, I am impatiently waiting for shock parts to arrive in time for the Braidwood Vinduro next weekend, but I had a thought......

If my shock parts don't arrive in time for me to complete it, will my '88 swingarm and shock fit as a temporary solution?

I've searched and the only reference I can find is a post from 2009 by WRX, where he mentions that he has a 1987 250 swingarm on his 1985 frame, but that's all I can find.

Have any of you guys done this and is there anything stopping me from using this combo for a couple of weeks, or are mods needed?

Tony.

I suspect the linkage will be different between 85 and 88 so as long as you swap the linkages also it should be OK. Check the dimensions of the 88 frame match your 85 linkage (if you have them). Can’t say if it will function OK with 88 linkage but it might be fine. Good luck.

they want swap straight on, you need to modify the link at the back of the frame, as in move it

I'm also thinking that since the 85 has XC forks, that the 88 WR shock may be a little short?

The shock is offset differently from the centerline.

Apologies guys, I thought it might work but not if it's that different. If my parts don't arrive I'll just have to make do with the 88 250WR!

you say that like an 88 250WR is second rate equipment, those are nice bikes

No, not at all Greg, I love my 250!
It's hard to show sarcasm sometimes.

you mean like this

Exactly, but after a couple of beers I couldn't find the emoticons (or whatever they are called) on my phone!

couldn't find them, did you count the empties when you woke up, or should I say came to?

A man is not a camel.....

I had to cut the top shock mount off the 87 frame and graft it on the 85 frame to make it work. the angle of the top mount was very different between the two. I did this as a 20year old kid with not a lot of money and access to mig and tig welding set ups. about ten years later I grafted the two left over motorcycle halves together and sold that bike to buddy of mine who still owns it.

the height of the top shock mount changed as well as the linkage location to the frame, seems to have moved about 10-12mm
the shock, ratio and linkage are worlds apart on design

Well my shock parts arrived yesterday, it's now assembled and back where it belongs!
Thanks for all the comments fellas, It was great to not have to find out the hard way.
Tony.