Author Topic: swingarm question  (Read 1453 times)

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Offline mrosso

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swingarm question
« on: October 06, 2008, 12:25:12 PM »
I'm thinking of drilling and tapping my '71 CB750 swingarm to include a grease zerk. Anyone have any opinions on this? Better lubrication? Potential problems?


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                     | |<- drill/tap/insert zerk here
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Offline Geeto67

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Re: swingarm question
« Reply #1 on: October 06, 2008, 12:34:06 PM »
plenty of bikes have them, I think I even have a few cb750 arms that have zerks installed.
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Offline MCRider

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Re: swingarm question
« Reply #2 on: October 06, 2008, 12:59:52 PM »
I'm thinking of drilling and tapping my '71 CB750 swingarm to include a grease zerk. Anyone have any opinions on this? Better lubrication? Potential problems?


============||
                    \  |
                     | |<- drill/tap/insert zerk here
                    /  |
============||


I've done it, easy to do, very fulfilling. Good idea on the surface...filled the swingarm tube full of grease, conclusion? wasted effort, my bushings were still seized.

After reading how a CB750 swingarm pivot really works (and doesn't work) in threads here by HondaMan, seems the best thing to do is make sure the pivoting parts are working properly, cut grease passages into the collar and/or bushings if not there already, and replace the pressed in zerts in the ends of the bolts with larger threaded ones.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline voxonda

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Re: swingarm question
« Reply #3 on: October 06, 2008, 02:01:52 PM »
In my swingarm(s) I remove the original zerk and shut that hole. Drill new holes on the underside of the swing halfway in the, high grade bronze, bushings. I have turned a groove on the inside of the bushings for the grease to be pressed in and divided by the groove of the collar. Absolutely bullet proof and everytime you grease the zerk's you know the grease comes directly on the right spot.

Cheers, Rob
Better sorry for failing then for the lack of trying.

Offline MCRider

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Re: swingarm question
« Reply #4 on: October 06, 2008, 02:05:15 PM »
In my swingarm(s) I remove the original zerk and shut that hole. Drill new holes on the underside of the swing halfway in the, high grade bronze, bushings. I have turned a groove on the inside of the bushings for the grease to be pressed in and divided by the groove of the collar. Absolutely bullet proof and everytime you grease the zerk's you know the grease comes directly on the right spot.

Cheers, Rob

Nice!
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline voxonda

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Re: swingarm question
« Reply #5 on: October 06, 2008, 02:20:13 PM »
When I sell these bushings I recommend and describe, in the installation brochure, how to do this. Never heard any complaint or heard that it did not work.

cheers.
Better sorry for failing then for the lack of trying.

Offline mrosso

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Re: swingarm question
« Reply #6 on: October 07, 2008, 10:29:40 AM »
Thanks to all. These are great ideas. For me, I'm going with a needle bearing kit to replace the old bronze bushings. Any suggestions on these kits? Do all the above apply (with the exception of drilling the hole for the zerk in the broze bushings)?

Offline voxonda

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Re: swingarm question
« Reply #7 on: October 07, 2008, 11:44:22 AM »
Would think twice about needle bearings in a swing. Not designed for this small movement, they are supposed to rotate! Very sensitive for dirt. Cannot take as much load as a bronze bearing.

Cheers, Rob
Better sorry for failing then for the lack of trying.