Topic: Swingarm needle bearing kits from Z1 Enterprises

[jsaab2748]

Please accept my apologies for asking this question, as it has been beaten to death I'm sure, but....Just wondering who has purchased one of these kits and have you had good luck installing it. I've tried the bronze bushing replacement route from Parts n More and have hit a dead end (they fit sloppy on the collar of my 550 K0). I tried a needle bearing kit when I restored my 750 a few years ago, from a local supplier, and the installation instructions were written in german and the parts didn't fit. Maybe the kit from Z1 is the ticket? Hoping the third times a charm. If the bronze bushings were available in a kit with a new collar I'd use them, but at this point, I'm just looking for something that will work well and install easily so I can get on with things. This damn bike is driving me nuts!!! TIA.    jim

[jalfonso]

I wish I could help you but I'll probably be replacing the swingarm bushings in my 550 as well.  If past experience is any indication of what I can look forward to in the future, my bike will probably be driving me nuts as well!  Just seems to go that way!  

Have you talked to the guys at Z1.  If my halfheimers has kicked in I think I talked to a guy buy the name of Jeff.  Super good guy.  I'm sure he'll give you the straight scoop.

Good luck and please post your results.....it just might save me some frustration.

Ride Safe!

John

[mkramer1121]

Honestly, if you're having problems with swingarm bushings fitting, etc., you could have a bigger problem where your swingarm has too much slop in it.  Look in the thread under services offered, Hondaman offers to make custom swingarm bushings for your bike to ensure they fit properly and are withing stock Honda tolerences.  It should run about $95 total, and you won't have to do any work besides shipping it to him.  I will be going this route in January, and a number of our members already have as well. 

As for Z1, they're good people, awesome service.  But I do think they use the same K&L kits that partsnmore uses.  Hope this helps.

[jsaab2748]

Honestly, if you're having problems with swingarm bushings fitting, etc., you could have a bigger problem where your swingarm has too much slop in it.  Look in the thread under services offered, Hondaman offers to make custom swingarm bushings for your bike to ensure they fit properly and are withing stock Honda tolerences.  It should run about $95 total, and you won't have to do any work besides shipping it to him.  I will be going this route in January, and a number of our members already have as well. 

As for Z1, they're good people, awesome service.  But I do think they use the same K&L kits that partsnmore uses.

  Hope this helps.

Actually the kit I attempted to use on my previous resto of the 750 wasn't from K&L, the package was labeled something like "Parts Plus". The supplier measured several of the other kits of the same number that he in stock and they all had Collars that weren't of the correct length for my stock  k5. Maybe the K&L kit will be correct. I'm also considering, if it's possible, to use the hardened collar of the K&L kit in combination with the bronze bushings I already have. Hondaman's solution is prob. the best route tho, but I probably should've had the swingarm professionally painted AFTER that service rather than before.   No matter what I do now I don't think I can get away without any scratching/gouging of the brand new paint. The Z1 kit is lookin good so far, and I appreciate the input guys.

[SteveD CB500F]

I talked to a guy buy the name of Jeff.  Super good guy.  I'm sure he'll give you the straight scoop.

Jeff.Saunders is a member here. PM him.

[Jeff.Saunders]

Jim, what we sell is the same 'Parts Plus' kit from Germany.

I'm puzzled as to why the previous attempts to replace bushings failed - it almost sounds like you may not have the original swingarm on the bike - or it's been modified.

Although the instructions in the kit is in German, we do have an English copy available - although I don't think that's going to help you if the bushings slop around in the swing arm.

[jsaab2748]

Jeff, Thanks very much for the reply. I'll p.m. you with details of my dilemma. I'll need to get some measurements and I'll send them with...I'll be back where the bike is on 12/26/06. Again, THANKS!