Topic: Removing swingarm busing and steering neck races ?

[rddcw]

About to purchase a Brass drift to help aide the removal of my swing arm bushings and steering neck races on my 74' CB 750 K4. What size and length of drift are you guys using ? The manufacture offers these drifts in different size diameters and lengths.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I used a 3/8 socket extension with a good edge

[70CB750]

The neck is easier, I used Harbor Freight brass, 1/2".

For the swingarm, I used a steel bar, it takes bit more effort.  Some people make smart washer for getting bushing out - diameter of the bushing, grinded on sides to fit through the bushing.  You slide it inside the swingarm, turned it flat and use  a punch on top of the washer to get bushing out.

[HondaMan]

I saw thru one side of the old bushing. Then it falls out.

[Henning]

For the neck races any sort of drift will do. Just be careful not to skew it; I did that once and it was a mutha***** to beat back up so I could knock it out straight.

For the swingarm bushings I prefer the "D" washer method with a threaded rod, do a search. That way you can get them out in a controlled fashion. Sometimes they are more or less welded to the swingarm by rust and there's only a thin lip to beat on with a drift, and it can quickly get rounded out. Hack-sawing I would say is a last resort; you will leave marks inside the swingarm.

[rddcw]

Henning,  Would you be able to describe the "D" washer method ?  If I do purchase a Brass drift, anyone know how Long the drift or extension should be ?

[Henning]

Find a sturdy washer with the same OD as the inside of the swingarm. Hacksaw off opposing edges sufficiently to slide it through the bushing. Flip it on its side at the back edge of the bushing and use a threaded rod to free the bushing. It may be overkill for your swingarm, but as I said people have had serious problems getting the bushings out. Pic:

[70CB750]

^^ yep, see my post above, couldnt find a picture

[Henning]

^^ yep, see my post above, couldnt find a picture

Yes, saw that

It will work unless he has the top hat style bushings, struck me after my post. Not sure what a K4 has.

[HondaMan]

^^ yep, see my post above, couldnt find a picture

Yes, saw that

It will work unless he has the top hat style bushings, struck me after my post. Not sure what a K4 has.

Early K4 has the standard bushings, but the last of the K4 has the top-hat type.

[Davez134]

I saw thru one side of the old bushing. Then it falls out.

I did this as well, with simple hacksaw blade. Came out sooo easy!

[rddcw]

Are those pivot bushing in the swing arm plastic and do you stop before cutting all the way thru the bushing with the hacksaw blade ? I'm assuming that once you cut thru some of the bushing it makes pushing the bushing out easier ?

[70CB750]

Late arms had plastic bushings in them.  I painted the F swingarm and baked it in the owen and those bushings just fell out on their own.

[Davez134]

Are those pivot bushing in the swing arm plastic and do you stop before cutting all the way thru the bushing with the hacksaw blade ? I'm assuming that once you cut thru some of the bushing it makes pushing the bushing out easier ?

you cut all the way through the bushing giving it room to, I guess retract/get smaller in circumference. Comes out easily.

[rddcw]

Prokop,  You said Late Arms. My Bike has a build date of 11/74.

[HondaMan]

Prokop,  You said Late Arms. My Bike has a build date of 11/74.

Around that time, the bushings were changing from the straight type to the top-hat type. They were phenolic material then, too. When you powdercoat arms and the arm gets baked, the phenolic bushing does not expand, so it falls out while the arm is hot! honda's replacement bushings for these arms are not great, and the aftermarket bronze ones often do not fit, neither the hole nor the collar, correctly. The final fit must be .0008" to 0.0012" collar clearance or the arm will be loose (again).

[Stev-o]

Prokop,  You said Late Arms. My Bike has a build date of 11/74.

Around that time, the bushings were changing from the straight type to the top-hat type. They were phenolic material then, too. When you powdercoat arms and the arm gets baked, the phenolic bushing does not expand, so it falls out while the arm is hot! honda's replacement bushings for these arms are not great, and the aftermarket bronze ones often do not fit, neither the hole nor the collar, correctly. The final fit must be .0008" to 0.0012" collar clearance or the arm will be loose (again).

HM - Have you tried the bushing from the Kensua Kid on ebay [Germany]?

[theslayedsaint]

I just send the arm to get powder coated and when it comes back its gone! problem solved   

[70CB750]

Prokop,  You said Late Arms. My Bike has a build date of 11/74.

Around that time, the bushings were changing from the straight type to the top-hat type. They were phenolic material then, too. When you powdercoat arms and the arm gets baked, the phenolic bushing does not expand, so it falls out while the arm is hot! honda's replacement bushings for these arms are not great, and the aftermarket bronze ones often do not fit, neither the hole nor the collar, correctly. The final fit must be .0008" to 0.0012" collar clearance or the arm will be loose (again).

HM - Have you tried the bushing from the Kensua Kid on ebay [Germany]?

Thats a good guy to buy from for us cheapasses who don't send swingarms to Hondaman

http://stores.ebay.com/kenosha-kid-motorcycle-parts?_rdc=1

[HondaMan]

Prokop,  You said Late Arms. My Bike has a build date of 11/74.

Around that time, the bushings were changing from the straight type to the top-hat type. They were phenolic material then, too. When you powdercoat arms and the arm gets baked, the phenolic bushing does not expand, so it falls out while the arm is hot! honda's replacement bushings for these arms are not great, and the aftermarket bronze ones often do not fit, neither the hole nor the collar, correctly. The final fit must be .0008" to 0.0012" collar clearance or the arm will be loose (again).

HM - Have you tried the bushing from the Kensua Kid on ebay [Germany]?

Kenosha Kid?
Yep, I have had to saw and grind out 2 sets of his bushings. Their owners (victims?) were told they would fit their arms, but the bushings were too big OD and seized during the installations, partway in their holes. They measured almost .003" larger than the swingarm holes, which made them impossible to install. After they got all mashed in the attempt(s), the arms ended up at my house.

And a sonofa....to remove!

[70CB750]

Prokop,  You said Late Arms. My Bike has a build date of 11/74.

Around that time, the bushings were changing from the straight type to the top-hat type. They were phenolic material then, too. When you powdercoat arms and the arm gets baked, the phenolic bushing does not expand, so it falls out while the arm is hot! honda's replacement bushings for these arms are not great, and the aftermarket bronze ones often do not fit, neither the hole nor the collar, correctly. The final fit must be .0008" to 0.0012" collar clearance or the arm will be loose (again).

HM - Have you tried the bushing from the Kensua Kid on ebay [Germany]?

Kenosha Kid?
Yep, I have had to saw and grind out 2 sets of his bushings. Their owners (victims?) were told they would fit their arms, but the bushings were too big OD and seized during the installations, partway in their holes. They measured almost .003" larger than the swingarm holes, which made them impossible to install. After they got all mashed in the attempt(s), the arms ended up at my house.

And a sonofa....to remove!

I installed pair in my swingarm, no problems at all.   Just saying 

[evanphi]

Prokop,  You said Late Arms. My Bike has a build date of 11/74.

Around that time, the bushings were changing from the straight type to the top-hat type. They were phenolic material then, too. When you powdercoat arms and the arm gets baked, the phenolic bushing does not expand, so it falls out while the arm is hot! honda's replacement bushings for these arms are not great, and the aftermarket bronze ones often do not fit, neither the hole nor the collar, correctly. The final fit must be .0008" to 0.0012" collar clearance or the arm will be loose (again).

HM - Have you tried the bushing from the Kensua Kid on ebay [Germany]?

Kenosha Kid?
Yep, I have had to saw and grind out 2 sets of his bushings. Their owners (victims?) were told they would fit their arms, but the bushings were too big OD and seized during the installations, partway in their holes. They measured almost .003" larger than the swingarm holes, which made them impossible to install. After they got all mashed in the attempt(s), the arms ended up at my house.

And a sonofa....to remove!

I installed pair in my swingarm, no problems at all.   Just saying 

Me too.

[alacrity]

Same as a couple others suggested.  With perhaps a bit more detail. - I posted this a few years ago

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,104216.msg1165478.html#msg1165478

[HondaMan]

Prokop,  You said Late Arms. My Bike has a build date of 11/74.

Around that time, the bushings were changing from the straight type to the top-hat type. They were phenolic material then, too. When you powdercoat arms and the arm gets baked, the phenolic bushing does not expand, so it falls out while the arm is hot! honda's replacement bushings for these arms are not great, and the aftermarket bronze ones often do not fit, neither the hole nor the collar, correctly. The final fit must be .0008" to 0.0012" collar clearance or the arm will be loose (again).

HM - Have you tried the bushing from the Kensua Kid on ebay [Germany]?

Kenosha Kid?
Yep, I have had to saw and grind out 2 sets of his bushings. Their owners (victims?) were told they would fit their arms, but the bushings were too big OD and seized during the installations, partway in their holes. They measured almost .003" larger than the swingarm holes, which made them impossible to install. After they got all mashed in the attempt(s), the arms ended up at my house.

And a sonofa....to remove!

I installed pair in my swingarm, no problems at all.   Just saying 

Which bike (and arm) was it?

[70CB750]

It was an F arm, not sure what year. It had phenolic bushings - they fell out when I baked the paint - so I got these from Germany and pressed them in. Using it now in the K3F hybrid I just finished.