Topic: swingarm maintenence & frame straightening

[hymodyne]

I've got my 500 stripped down completely, engine out, wheels off, brakes and all electricals removed from bike.
 the swingarm is still in place. I feel no wobble or play from side to side, and movement is smooth in its natural pivot. should I replace bushings?
this was a found bike, with 25K on the odometer when we met. I have a cafe restoration in process.

BTW, with everything off the bike, I noticed that the rearmost part of the upper frame, the two upper arms that the rear fender bolts onto, is bent in on one side slightly, It looks like the bike fell over on its left side. scratches on the left hand rear signal housing seem to confirm this. How do folks go about frame straightening?

hym

[Peter]

I would go ahead and replace the bushings.  It won't get any easier than right now, so you will spare yourself the headache later.  As for the frame, I would set the bike/frame on a level surface, and use a plum bob to help reference points and take measurements from a common point to check that the frame is strait.  If the only bent area is the rear section where the fender mounts, heat and a hammer will straiten it fine..

[Roastem]

I tend to agree, for the cost of the new bushings, its a save me time later thing.  as for the frame... yeah sure what he said

[crazypj]

common on MX bikes to have rear subframe bent. we just used a 4"x4" or 4"x2" about 6'~8' long to twist things back to shape. ( or scaffold poles, old fork legs, whatever was laying around )
PJ