Topic: Remove swing arm bushing and shock mounts before powder coat?

[Chaser60]

Hi all,

I think I know the answer, (yes they all should come out...) but want to confirm.    I have a 1975 CB550 that I have almost competed the dis-assembly portion of my project.   Before I send the frame, and swing arm off for PC, do the bushing all need to come out / be replaced on the swing arm?  They are in good shape and so was wondering if they could be masked instead of removed.  I will be replacing steering bearings with all balls kit, so already have removed those races out of the frame and off the lower stem.

Appreciate the input.

[calj737]

You should remove them. During baking, they may leech grease/oil onto the surfaces and spoil the results. Any quality PC'er will demand this.

If you replace them, use bronze bushings as an upgrade, or roller bearings in lieu for the pivot arm.

[Toxic]

Masking won't work but you can run a threaded rod down the swing arm and use the proper sized washers and nuts at each end to seal it up.  Worked for me as my bushings were new at the time I wanted to power coat

[Whaleman]

When I had my swingarm powder coated I did remove the shock mounts. I replaced with new. They were actually kinda hard to get out. Beat out with a socket that just fit. I don't think the rubber could take the heat. Dan

[bjbuchanan]

Good luck with the shock mounts

[martin99]

One way to do the shock mounts is burn them out. This leaves you with just the outer band remaining in the swingarm. Use a hacksaw to cut through it and it should then punch out without too much trouble. They're not too expensive to replace on a 750, not sure about 550.

[John Eberly]

I have powdercoated two frames without worrying about the bushings or the shock mounts. These were for an S90 and a CL450.

On one frame the coater taped off the shock mount. On the other one he didn't and I used some lacquer thinner to get the coating off.

The bushings caused no problem and didn't mess up the finish.

[Kickstart]

Interesting Eberly was able to leave the shock mounts in, I would have thought the temperature for the PC curing would have damaged them... I guess they're tougher than I thought.

He's a link on how to remove those shock mount bushings (I added my experience and some pictures):
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=64520.msg1228819#msg1228819


Regarding the main swingarm bushings.  I did the same thing Toxic did with the threaded rod and washers (it's also what Hondaman recommends).  However, the powder coater gave me a hard time about it and said it did leak out some oil.
If I did it again, I would take them out and have the PC done first before sending off to Hondaman to put the new bushings in.

Good luck.

[Puntas13]

Good time to ad some new Bronze swing arm bushings anyway.

[Holubs]

I removed the shock mount bushings and the swing arm bushings on my CB750 F1 before powder coating the swing arm.  The new shock bushings were under $5 each,  the old ones were a pain to remove.  I planned to put new bronze swing arm bushings in anyway.

[Chaser60]

Thanks all !   Sounds like it is best to remove, but a PITA !.   I spent a little time on line looking for 1975 CB 550 bronze bushings.  Oddly, the 1975 year seems omitted from the listed models.   Will have to be sure I can put my hands on them before I cut out the old ones.   May go with the rod/washer approach if I cant locate.   Greatly appreciate the help.   

[Kickstart]

If you can afford it... send it to Hondaman to have it done the right way:
http://sohc4shop.com/catalog/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=12&products_id=35

If so, I would do the powder coating first.  HondaMan prefers you do the powder coating after he does his work (as he's worried about messing up the paint job), but I was really worried about getting sand in there from the PC prep and messing up my brand new bushings.  I'd rather have a scuffed paint job then sand in my bushing.   Alternatively, sandblast or hand sand and prime it before you send it off... then just do a final paint coating after you get it back.

[Puntas13]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-CB-250-360-400-500-550-750-Four-swingarm-bronze-bushing-set-bearing-new-/280818288488?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4162130768&vxp=mtr

I installed these bushing in my 500. By far best deal I've found and they work well too. Shipping was faster than what you'd think.

[calj737]

Bill - Remember I mentioned the leeching during baking on parts...? Here's my hub after I picked it up form Andy today. Notice the areas around the bearing retainer?

That's why you remove the bearings and bushings BEFORE powder coating. Fortunately, the contamination was contained on the face only. If not, would have had to re-do the whole darn thing...

[Chaser60]

I see it yes.   i got the shock bushings out today.  Easy as can be.  Used the two socket and bolt tip from this forum and they were out in 5 minutes.   Lucky compared to some others.     Will tackle the front swing arm bushings tomorrow or over the weekend.   I had to spend time on the tank coating and corrosion issue from the other thread today.   Too early to tell if that is progressing..

What did you have done to those parts?   Is that PC or blasted and polished.  They look great !

[calj737]

They were glass beaded, then "powder coated" with a ceramic product. Could easily use powder, just that Andy has this "color" for exhausts and it has an appealing lustre for a "semi-polished" aluminum. Its a very durable finish too. Andy does great work! You can catch my 500 thread for a few other glimpses of some brackets he did in a bronze test color.