« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)  (Read 1429 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline GardenGnome

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • 1977 CB550F
Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« on: October 29, 2017, 02:25:24 PM »
Hello again. I am coming here today in hopes that I may gain some further help on how to re-install the swing arm into the frame. I currently have the motor out (I tried to install the swing arm with the motor in and had no success). I was hoping that with the motor out it would allow for a smoother install...oh how wrong I was. I am able to line the swing arm up with where it goes, but it just doesn't want to cooperate whatsoever. Is this a two man job, one guy to hold and another to persuade the swing arm into place? What tips or tricks are you able to lend to my cause of getting this back in. Any help or insight is appreciated. Thank you for taking time to read this.
Logged
If I've learned anything about building a motorcycle, it's check and re-check your work before you put it all back together. Although you do gain more experience by doing it twice.

Offline GardenGnome

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • 1977 CB550F
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #1 on: October 29, 2017, 06:45:17 PM »
I ended up buying new dust caps. Might work, might not. Thought I'd give it a shot.
Logged
If I've learned anything about building a motorcycle, it's check and re-check your work before you put it all back together. Although you do gain more experience by doing it twice.

Offline BomberMann650

  • Holy Cow! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,581
  • Dr. Bovinestein iBa#80333
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #2 on: October 29, 2017, 06:50:18 PM »
Blocks and Wedges help some.   Long screwdrivers are useful too.

What else have you changed while the swinger was out?

Logged

Offline GardenGnome

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • 1977 CB550F
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #3 on: October 29, 2017, 07:08:45 PM »
Rebuilt the swing arm with all new internal bits. Took some info from archieved threads on here and couldn't have been happier with how it went. I just figured that since I went the distance to rebuild this bike like I have I shouldn't skip on the small parts that will save headaches later.

 Not sure if that answered your question Bombermann 650, but it's always nice to hear from you.
Logged
If I've learned anything about building a motorcycle, it's check and re-check your work before you put it all back together. Although you do gain more experience by doing it twice.

Offline BomberMann650

  • Holy Cow! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,581
  • Dr. Bovinestein iBa#80333
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #4 on: October 29, 2017, 07:31:33 PM »
Happy to be here  ;D

If I understand where you’re at, you’re having trouble passing the swinger bolt through the new bushing/bearings?
Logged

Offline GardenGnome

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • 1977 CB550F
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2017, 08:21:10 PM »
I suppose that's my fault. My issue is that with the dust caps on I am unable to get the swing arm to go where it should. It looks like it is just a little bit too wide to go. If I had to guess maybe 1/16 of an inch on either side too wide. I thought about using a chisel to get it to slide into place then pull the chisel after it's somewhat close and use a rubber mallet to fine tune it and slide the bolt through.

Hope that better clarifies my situation.
Logged
If I've learned anything about building a motorcycle, it's check and re-check your work before you put it all back together. Although you do gain more experience by doing it twice.

Offline BomberMann650

  • Holy Cow! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,581
  • Dr. Bovinestein iBa#80333
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2017, 11:32:50 PM »
Are you new bushings and caps installed flush on the swinger?
Logged

Offline GardenGnome

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • 1977 CB550F
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2017, 04:56:52 AM »
The bushings are, but the caps kept wiggling around. That's another reason why I bought new caps.
Logged
If I've learned anything about building a motorcycle, it's check and re-check your work before you put it all back together. Although you do gain more experience by doing it twice.

Offline GardenGnome

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • 1977 CB550F
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #8 on: October 31, 2017, 09:52:37 PM »
So I'm gathering that shims and blocks and wedges are the keys to my success in getting the swing arm back in place. Is my assumption correct? New dust caps are arriving this Friday.
Logged
If I've learned anything about building a motorcycle, it's check and re-check your work before you put it all back together. Although you do gain more experience by doing it twice.

Offline BomberMann650

  • Holy Cow! I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,581
  • Dr. Bovinestein iBa#80333
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #9 on: October 31, 2017, 09:55:02 PM »
Yep, whatever you got around that can help you prop up the swinger.
Logged

Offline robvangulik

  • Honda Fourever
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,418
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #10 on: November 01, 2017, 03:53:59 AM »
I always use a small carjack to push the fram wide a few millimeters.
Logged

Offline GardenGnome

  • Enthusiast
  • **
  • Posts: 241
  • 1977 CB550F
Re: Swing Arm re-install ('77 CB550F)
« Reply #11 on: November 03, 2017, 06:03:06 PM »
wanted to bring this back post back to life. I was able to get the swing arm into place with a little assembly grease and using rubvangulik's technique.
Tomorrow I tackle getting the motor back in. Being back on track feels really good with this bike, even if it is cold and snowing here. Gonna go and enjoy some Surly beers now.
Thanks for lending insight I needed to get that swing arm back into place.
Logged
If I've learned anything about building a motorcycle, it's check and re-check your work before you put it all back together. Although you do gain more experience by doing it twice.
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »