Reminder... Grease your swingarm/linkage bearings. AKA Jake's random thoughts...

As part of the prep of the new bike I pulled apart the swingarm and linkage to make sure they had a nice coating of good grease. The swingarm and linkage both had a light coating of white lithium grease that didn't look too bad. The lower shock bearing was all but dry.

This was how it came apart, I didn't wipe it out or anything.

Much better.


One other thing I noticed was dry was the rear brake pivot.

Later,

Oooh, I will make this as heavy as my WR eventually.

Later,

I always have to break something...

this time it was the master link... Any time I have installed a master link I have always taken the side plate and pulled it back up against the clip using a flat screwdriver. I have done this for years and never lost a clip, I hope that doesn't change any time soon.

This time I popped the head of the master link off...


After I broke the one side I checked the other, it popped right off too. It seemed very brittle.

Luckily I had a new spare link (Primary Drive) that measured the same as the stocker so I put it in. No problems on that one.

Later,

I consider that long lasting for a tire, but not for a chain. Ken

This bike is very easy to work on in general.

I was going to do the steering bearings before the first ride, but I may wait a bit for that one.

It is so dang nice nice to look at...



Later,

That is about all I am used to, that should be plenty. When you pack them with mud all winter long it is hard to complain about chain life.

Later,

Luckily we don't have anything down here that is hard on our chains.

....these get more worked than anything...

Donna forgetta ta pakca the wheelie bearings/seals anda slimea da axles..... mama-mia! (wif w/p Bel-Rey grease)

Most Wheel Bears are sealed, are they not?

Yep I greased the rear wheel bearings and axle while I had it apart to mount the trials tire.

You have to remove the dust seals and use a pick to get the seal out of the bearing. I use a plastic syringe packed with grease for a clean application. On one side of the rear there is a snap ring that has to come out also.

My tub of belray is always handy for axles but I have been using some synthetic grease from Schafer for bearings.


Later,

Sand is bad when bathing the chain in it but falls off fairly quickly if you are not a fan of sticky lubes...

This was my first race on my WR, it was a slop fest.



Later,

From dust? Barely.

Ya gotta pack yer lip seals and slime the axle with water-proof grease- or after a few creek-crossings....... yer gonna wish ya did!

Longview, hangover scrambles, I would have been better off with a boat that day.

Later,