Testing swing arm

[tireland]

I have pretty much completely stripped my 76 Yellow GL1000. I keep seeing articles about people changing their swing arm bearings. I am trying to figure out how to determine if I need to do the same. My bike has 35,000 miles on it. I am the sole owner so I know how it has been cared for over the years. I have let it sit for over 30 years. With the rear wheel off, the universal joint disconnected, and the rear final drive (the pumpkin) removed, I have looked carefully at the swing arm, debating whether to remove it or not. There is no sideways play in the swing arm at all. I can move the swing arm up and down relatively easily, there are no rough spots, but it is also fairly firm. The swing arm, without the weight of the wheel and final drive, will remain in position wherever I leave it in its arc; it does not fall down to its lowest point unless I place it in that position. Does it sound to you like there is any need to change the bearings?

[chewy999]

Imho strictly speaking you probably don't need new bearings, but sitting for so long they may need greasing.
Saying that, seeing as the bike is stripped down as it is, be easy enough to just change them for peace of mind, and then you can forget them.

[chewy999]

Forgot to say, change the belts too!

[tireland]

The belts will be changed, as will the front and rear wheel bearings, front and rear brake pads and caliper rebuilds, front shock seals, carburetor rebuild, frame repaint, and numerous miscellaneous tasks. I just have not got a really good handle on changing those swing arm bearings regardless of what I have read on doing it. Don't want to risk making something worse than it is if it is not necessary.

Tom
Previous Rides
1965 Honda CA95 Benly Dream
1967 Yamaha 305

Current Bike
1976 GL1000 Yellow

[chewy999]

If you have a good manual, it's quite straightforward, I believe the 76 has needle bearings which are hard to get but David Silver for one can get them. Not sure how you get them out or put them back, perhaps someone can advise. From the diagram I looked at, the 76 doesn't have the castleated nut on one side.

[chewy999]

Or if you're feeling brave, http://www.randakksblog.com/gl1000-swin ... g-upgrade/

[low-side]

If it we're me, I'd just clean the needle bearings and see if they look good and spin freely. If they do I'd regrease them and if they don't then I'd replace them. It's not a high stress component and with proper lube they should out last the rest of the bike. If you want to change them Randakk has part numbers on his site.

[tlbranth]

Gonna have to challenge Chewy. I think needle bearings suck. If they've been in there a while I'll bet they're flat on one side and don't turn anymore. That said, we have to use them. Nothing else will fit. Tireland, read this thread
https://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic ... ng#p693810

[flyin900]

Highly unlikely they need replacement, yet as already said it would be a mistake not to pull the swing arm and clean out the old grease and replace when your in that far on the refresh. The swing arm should not stick in one spot, it should be loose enough to move up and down freely and rest in the fully down position. I have pulled quite a number of them and it is a pretty easy job both to remove and clean/lube and reinstall.

Disregard below if the 1976 doesn't use the castle nut set up on the pivot bolt. I don't recall now if it is just a normal hex head cut into the swing arm pivot bolt. Use lots of brake cleaner or mineral spirit of your choice shot into the openings first to really clean everything first to facilitate the removal of the internal parts

The hardest part is the special tool for removing the castle nut on the one side of the frame. I just bought a large socket with the proper diameter for under $10 and cut the four indents with a cutoff wheel. I used kids modelling clay (Play Doh) to take an imprint of the nut to get the correct pattern layout on the socket head.