Topic: Loose swingarm bushings, what do I do?

[Jon T]

Hello all i'm rebuilding my swingarm for my 1973 CB750K. It seems this has been done before, because the old bushings I removed were steel, and I recall reading that replacement bushings were steel for a while. It looks like i'm going to need a new collar as well, the old one didn't clean up too nicely, anyway onto the problem. I ordered bronze bushings from kenosha_kid on ebay, as recommended on here. They arrived today and I went to test fit and was surprised to find they slip right in by hand. Not too easily but I can spin them while they're in by hand. I looked up a couple of posts and this seems to have happened before but I couldn't find a straight answer. Will I need custom bushings to be made or will I have to sent my swingarm out to get professionally rebuilt, I think HondaMan does that? Theoretically could I lube the bushings up with a little JB Weld and shove em in? It doesn't sound right and i'd rather do it the right way but if that is a safe solution i'd take it. What do you guys think? Thanks -Jon

[BomberMann650]

I'm a fan of the aluminum can shim in a situation like that

[drumstyx]

I wouldn't glue them in!

If I had a machine shop though, I wouldn't hesitate to line the tube with a bit of epoxy, let it cure, then drill it out. Aluminum can shims might do alright. I've got bushings coming from the same seller too, hope not to have this issue!

[riffman12]

depends how loose we're talking. After going in the freezer, I could push mine in with some muscle and my hand + a bit of grease. Didn't have to use any kind of press or anything. However, once all put together there is no play in the swingarm.

If it's lose enough that things move laterally, then you have a problem.

[strynboen]

il vill use lockteit..after klean all vell up..so no oil or dirt can blend up ...

[Dunk]

Depends on how loose the fit is. Turns easily with significant clearance all aorund or takes a little effort to push in though can still turn it with slight resistance? If it's hotdog down a hallway I'd not be comfortable with it. If it has some resistance tot runing and can't be rocked and such I'd likely use a bearing and sleeve retaining compound. The second link says up to .015" clearance... though that seems way big for what I'd be comfortable using it for in a swingarm.

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-37424-Strength-Retainer-6-milliliter/dp/B0002KKTIG

https://www.amazon.com/Loctite-234772-Temperature-Retaining-Compound/dp/B003T7UXUI/

[Jon T]

Thanks all, just got off work. It is not hotdog down a hallway loose, it has no play up or down whatso ever. It isn't easy to move around and pull out by hand but I wouldn't call it hard to move. Not sure if that helps. Will look into the locktite

[Garage_guy_chris]

The problem is the collars end up worn and undersized so new bushings end up loose when they start life. Someone should start making undersized swing arm bushings, then the collar tube can be reduced in diameter 0.010" to 0.020" by the end user to provide 0.002" clearance then everything would be happy and provide a nice long service life.

I was planning on ordering some oversize undersize bushings from McMasterCarr and doing just this on my own bike. Just haven't got around to it just yet

[chewbacca5000]

Hello all i'm rebuilding my swingarm for my 1973 CB750K. It seems this has been done before, because the old bushings I removed were steel, and I recall reading that replacement bushings were steel for a while. It looks like i'm going to need a new collar as well, the old one didn't clean up too nicely, anyway onto the problem. I ordered bronze bushings from kenosha_kid on ebay, as recommended on here. They arrived today and I went to test fit and was surprised to find they slip right in by hand. Not too easily but I can spin them while they're in by hand. I looked up a couple of posts and this seems to have happened before but I couldn't find a straight answer. Will I need custom bushings to be made or will I have to sent my swingarm out to get professionally rebuilt, I think HondaMan does that? Theoretically could I lube the bushings up with a little JB Weld and shove em in? It doesn't sound right and i'd rather do it the right way but if that is a safe solution i'd take it. What do you guys think? Thanks -Jon

I just installed a set from kenosha_kid, and they worked out great.  Used some 1/2" threaded rod and some wheel cone balancers and they pulled right in.  I could not be happier with the fit.  This swing arm is rock solid!

How easy id your old bearings come out?  It might be possible they were turning inside the swing arm increasing the ID of your swing arm.

[Jon T]

Hello all i'm rebuilding my swingarm for my 1973 CB750K. It seems this has been done before, because the old bushings I removed were steel, and I recall reading that replacement bushings were steel for a while. It looks like i'm going to need a new collar as well, the old one didn't clean up too nicely, anyway onto the problem. I ordered bronze bushings from kenosha_kid on ebay, as recommended on here. They arrived today and I went to test fit and was surprised to find they slip right in by hand. Not too easily but I can spin them while they're in by hand. I looked up a couple of posts and this seems to have happened before but I couldn't find a straight answer. Will I need custom bushings to be made or will I have to sent my swingarm out to get professionally rebuilt, I think HondaMan does that? Theoretically could I lube the bushings up with a little JB Weld and shove em in? It doesn't sound right and i'd rather do it the right way but if that is a safe solution i'd take it. What do you guys think? Thanks -Jon

I just installed a set from kenosha_kid, and they worked out great.  Used some 1/2" threaded rod and some wheel cone balancers and they pulled right in.  I could not be happier with the fit.  This swing arm is rock solid!

How easy id your old bearings come out?  It might be possible they were turning inside the swing arm increasing the ID of your swing arm.

Had to cut one side and beat it out with a big hammer and punch and then floated a correct sized socket down and beat that to get the other one out. Wasn't too hard, didn't break any tools or even score the swingarm so im happy.

[CycleRanger]

I just installed a set from kenosha_kid, and they worked out great.  Used some 1/2" threaded rod and some wheel cone balancers and they pulled right in.  I could not be happier with the fit.  This swing arm is rock solid!

How easy id your old bearings come out?  It might be possible they were turning inside the swing arm increasing the ID of your swing arm.

Yeah, I've installed 4 sets of bronze bushings from Kenosha_Kid (aka TwowheelsFrank)
Every set was a perfect fit.

You should collect some measurements of your swingarm and the bushings and PM Hondaman.
He'll have all the answers.

[Jon T]

I just installed a set from kenosha_kid, and they worked out great.  Used some 1/2" threaded rod and some wheel cone balancers and they pulled right in.  I could not be happier with the fit.  This swing arm is rock solid!

How easy id your old bearings come out?  It might be possible they were turning inside the swing arm increasing the ID of your swing arm.

Yeah, I've installed 4 sets of bronze bushings from Kenosha_Kid (aka TwowheelsFrank)
Every set was a perfect fit.

You should collect some measurements of your swingarm and the bushings and PM Hondaman.
He'll have all the answers.

I don't think its the bearings cause I first ordered the wrong set from vintagecb750 a while ago and realized so and ordered from kenosha_kid. I just tried and both have the same fitment

[754]

Loctite will solve your problem,  beer can too thick.

[rotortiller]

Loctite will solve your problem,  beer can too thick.

Yup loctite sleeve retainer would be my first choice. Then I'd make sure the inner sleeves protrude out of the bushings a few thousands of an inch total. Easy to check, easy to shim or file to spec as the frame has some give. It isn't rocket science LOL

rt