I couldn't contain myself to start assembling the
bike! I mocked everything up so I could get some measurements for wheels spacers. This is my first time messing with a full suspension vintage
bike, I am more of a rigid frame mini
bike guy. If you are familiar with Taco bikes at all you might know this 44 is a little different then its successors.
Not only is 1966 the first year of the Taco 44, but it is the only full year year they made them with tube style swing arms. There was tube swing arm bikes with 1967 serials but sometime in 67 they changed the frame design on the 44 for good reason. If you look at the pictures you will notice the swing arms actually mount to the jackshaft. Not the best design out there which is most likely why they changed the frame design in 67.
Which brings me to talking about the swing arms a little more. Even though the bearings fit tight in the swing arms, the shocks are bolted to them, and the axle bolt is tight against the wheel spacers... What keeps the swing arm from getting knocked off the bearing? So I had these 2 bearings made with a dual snap rings to make sure everything stays in place like it should.
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