This is from my Monster but it is an 888 swingarm. Whilst riding the back end felt a bit 'loose', when I stopped I saw this; The clamping part of the swingarm looked like this; The other side This swingarm had been OK for a few years and I'm not sure exactly when it cracked as it was difficult to see the cracks whilst fitted to the bike even when I knew they were there but, as you can see the spindle started sliding out. It was only noticeable whilst riding once the spindle was completely out of the LH side of the arm and the whole backend could move sideways. I have since fitted a later Monster swingarm which (so far at least) is OK but the earlier 851/888 versions were known for cracking.
That is according to "How many left" website. Whatever you click on the menu, 851, 888 strada ,888sp4, 888sp5 or 888sps (could be a typo error?), there are not many around. How accurate the website is I could not say.
In my experience, the problem with older bikes especially, is that they may have been in a collection, otherwise stored not in use, held by dealers or just not registered for the road, so that they may not be captured by official records used to compile certain website data. Also, search criteria may affect website search results, for example sometimes the SP5 may be referred to as an SPV. Certainly, while I was looking recently for an 888 SP5, I became aware of a number of bikes that were available within the UK, which may not be captured by official records. I believe some bike specific owner groups may keep unofficial records of member's bikes, but I do not know if their accuracy is any more reliable than other options. Tom.
Generally unless you know frame and engine numbers or there is proof on a V5, buying an SP of any type is a risk.
True, but don’t let it put you off. Do your due diligence on the seller and the bike. The reward will be well worth it.
Yep, just have to do the checks for these older bikes... take the picture of the SP3 in this thread; the first thing I noticed was that the exhaust diameter looks wrong (too small - like the strada, and not OEM) where it joins the silencer tube. I am not suggesting anything is amiss but you need to check thoroughly to avoid disappointment later.
That’s actually a spaghetti race system from an 888 Corsa (it’s my bike and I have owned it since 1992 - it’s running a Corsa engine with G cams, green injectors etc. Not original, but I kept all the original parts - it’s not for sale btw), but you’re right - ideally find one that has been owned for a long time and speak to that owner and check the full history/provenance
I would also add, the research is part of the fun! I managed to speak to all of the owners of my SP4 which led to a few very late nights!
