Hey Folks, I am about to replace my wheel bearings (front and rear) and thought I might as well replace the swing arm bearings too. Anyone out there know what kind of bearings we need in our swing arms? I searched but came up with nothing. Been having a bit of front wheel wobble between 30-45mph (up down). Not sure if it's the bearings or the wheel is out of true. We shall see. Any help on the bearing sizes/numbers for the swing arm is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Ok, I have some questions and perhaps an answer or two on the topic of swing arm and suspension linkage bearings. Firstly, I decided that I could no longer procrastinate with at least looking at the linkages - first time in two years / 25,000km. Examination showed the suspension linkages bearings and seals to be ok but the swing arm bearings basically seized. As a result, one of the sleeves that seats inside the swing arm needle bearings is quite degraded. I figured I may as well replace all bearings and seals in all linkages. So what to order?? For all linkage bearings and seals replacement, including the swing arm, you will need the following: 6 X needle bearings 26x20x20 8 X seals 26x20x4 1 X needle bearing 26x20x16 4 X needle bearings 28x22x16 (swing arm) 4 X seals 28x22x4 (swing arm) I have to qualify the above by saying that I have ordered these items but have yet to actually carry out the procedure. One thing I noticed when I disassembled the swing arm is that the seals almost seem to be integrated into the needle bearing and could not be removed without it tearing away from what appears to be a metal collar. Has anyone else found the same? However, when I search on the seal specs that are written the actual seal, it confirms that it is a standard lipped seal - no metal outer. As to actual removal and installation of the needle bearings, is it relatively straight forward or are they difficult to extract? Finally, I note that some have had issues with movement / play in the swing arm. This part may be the cause and the solution: Essentially it is an adjustment bolt which adjusts the width between the engine block and the frame where the left hand swing arm pivot fits. The adjustment bolt has a couple of notches at the end of the threaded section which is obviously designed to allow for small adjustments to get it snug against the swing arm pivot. The adjustment bolt screws in here:
Just nosy...where/ who from? Husky/ BM dealer or bearing supplies? The measurements sound familiar from the Aprilia Pegaso days...the bearings were Torringtons then (owned by Timken at the time... now KOYO, Japan I think). Wouldn't mind getting a complete set together with some head-bearings and just do the whole schamozzle in one hit before any of them let go. Done all wheel/ sprocket carrier bearings. Looks like factory-junk stuff all the way through....
I ordered from this mob: I first rang CBC bearings and while they were helpful they were also expensive: it was roughly $11 per bearing and $8 per seal! Applied Industrial etc are charging about $8 per bearing (still a lot but cheaper than stock) and didn't ask how much for the seals. They reckon they'll have everything in stock by Monday. And yes, the stock bearings are still Torringtons.
Did you find this adjustment bolt loose on your bike? I dont have my bike handy to look, but is this something you can tighten with the swing-arm bolt in place? Does it tighten from the outside of the frame using the notches or the inside with the hex or both? Lastly, if yours was loose, do you think this might be a cause of some of our issues with high speed stability/wobble?
Yes, the bolt was loose in that it was not screwed down all the way into the frame. You can adjust this bolt with notched end before inserting the swingarm axle (not after). The idea would be to position the swingarm in place and then snug up the adjustment bolt against the left hand pivot and then insert the swingarm axle. Alternatively, you insert the swingarm axle and then use a very thin spanner to screw out the adjustment bolt until snug and then tighten the swingarm axle. The photo, although not particularly clear, shows the adjustment bolt screwed out from the frame by perhaps 1-2 millimetres: I never really had the high speed wobbles but I reckon this adjustment could definitely contribute. Best to check if you do have the wobbles.
the repair manual gives quite clear instructions on how to adjust that swingarm "clearance recovery ring nut". Works pretty good in my experience. 6Nm for the ring nut and 120Nm for the swing arm bolt nut.
That's a good find Carsten, confirms the purpose of that ring nut / adjustment bolt. Definitely should be checked as a possible cause of speed wobbles / instability.
