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Swingarm rebuild

  • mtbspeedfreak
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03 Nov 2011 04:37 #486785 by mtbspeedfreak
Swingarm rebuild was created by mtbspeedfreak
About to dive into a swingarm rebuild. I recently put on a new pair of Progressive shocks and would like to replace everything else (Minus the swingarm itself. Unless someone has an old Dresda swingarm lying around... :ohmy: ).

What do I need, here's what I have figured:
Swingarm bearing kit: www.z1enterprises.com/Swingarm-bearing-k...ki-Z1-KZ900-215.aspx
Bronze bushings: www.z1enterprises.com/Swingarm-bushes-pair-214.aspx

Do I need the sleeves too? www.z1enterprises.com/Swingarm-Sleeve-Kawasaki-1565.aspx I need two, correct?

Thank you for your patience, haven't done this before. B)

2000 ZRX 1100
1976 KZ 900- Daily Driver
1980 LTD 550- Dalton Highway survivor!

If it has tits or tires, it'll give you problems!

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03 Nov 2011 08:46 #486793 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic Swingarm rebuild
What bike are you working on?

1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)

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03 Nov 2011 09:29 #486798 by etbike3135
Replied by etbike3135 on topic Swingarm rebuild
The bearing kit is all you need and is the way to go. I do see they are out of stock?
Bikes that are newer then like around 78 should have came with the bearings and not the bushings. Bearings last nearly forever unless they got rusty. Bushings wear out and cause alot of side to side movement in the swingarm. They are hard to remove and install and if you damage the spacer in between the bushings when your beating them out your going to have to start looking for one of them too.

1973 Kawasaki Z1
18 years in dragbikes

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  • Motor Head
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03 Nov 2011 10:13 - 03 Nov 2011 10:33 #486807 by Motor Head
Replied by Motor Head on topic Swingarm rebuild
Like etbike3135 said, the first link with the bearing kit is the upgrade. The others are for putting it back to original.
Check with Z1 they'll tell you just what you need, the upgrade would be best.
Also the condition of Grease Zerts should be looked at, replacing those is a good Idea as they can rust shut where you can't get grease through them. ;)
They would be 6mm thread, available as singles at most Hardware stores, and any automotive worth going to. Pep Boys has the "Dorman" Drawers again, with small packs, maybe 2 in a bag. I just got some at Lowes.

1982 KZ1000LTD K2 Vance & Hines 4-1 ACCEL COILS Added Vetter fairing & Bags. FOX Racing rear Shocks, Braced Swing-arm, Fork Brace, Progressive Fork Springs RT Gold Emulators, APE Valve Springs, 1166 Big Bore kit, RS34's, GPZ cams.
1980 KZ550LTD C1 Stock SOLD Miss it
1979 MAZDA RX7 in the works, 13B...
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Last edit: 03 Nov 2011 10:33 by Motor Head.

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  • mtbspeedfreak
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03 Nov 2011 13:34 #486840 by mtbspeedfreak
Replied by mtbspeedfreak on topic Swingarm rebuild
Thanks for posting the schematic MotorHead, 650ed, it's for my KZ900.

Tom, I'm familiar with the concept of bushings and bearings, but my head isn't on straight today, if I get the swingarm bearing kit, I won't need the bushings nor sleeves?

Thanks all!

2000 ZRX 1100
1976 KZ 900- Daily Driver
1980 LTD 550- Dalton Highway survivor!

If it has tits or tires, it'll give you problems!

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03 Nov 2011 16:07 #486861 by Link14
Replied by Link14 on topic Swingarm rebuild
That is correct, like etbike said, the kit replaces the sleeve and the bushings. Did it on my 900 a year ago and it wasn't too bad. The new setup spread the frame just a bit (~1/16"), but it's rock solid.

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  • mtbspeedfreak
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03 Nov 2011 16:14 #486862 by mtbspeedfreak
Replied by mtbspeedfreak on topic Swingarm rebuild

Link14 wrote: That is correct, like etbike said, the kit replaces the sleeve and the bushings. Did it on my 900 a year ago and it wasn't too bad. The new setup spread the frame just a bit (~1/16"), but it's rock solid.


Cool, thanks! Were you able to notice any difference in the stiction of the swingarm with the old bushings vs the new bearings?

2000 ZRX 1100
1976 KZ 900- Daily Driver
1980 LTD 550- Dalton Highway survivor!

If it has tits or tires, it'll give you problems!

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03 Nov 2011 17:43 #486870 by 650ed
Replied by 650ed on topic Swingarm rebuild
Below is a diagram of the 1976 KZ900 swingarm that shows part numbers and names. It uses bushings rather than bearings. If you plan to convert it to bearings you may want to double check with Z1E to make sure the bearing kit has everything you’ll need for the conversion and that it will fit in your specific model. You won’t need the bushings and sleeves shown in the diagram if you are going to convert it to bearings; it will use bearings or bushings, but not both. Personally, I’m not sure if bearings offer a real performance advantage over bushings, although I’m sure someone will chime to describe the advantages. IMHO Both work very well. Ed

Attachment KZ900Swingarm.jpg not found


1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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  • wireman
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03 Nov 2011 23:13 #486919 by wireman
Replied by wireman on topic Swingarm rebuild
if i remember right 77 1000 was first with the single needle bearings on each side swingarm,78 1000 was first year for double needle bearings on each side B)

posting from deep under a non-descript barn in an undisclosed location southwest of Omaha.

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  • wireman
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03 Nov 2011 23:15 #486920 by wireman
Replied by wireman on topic Swingarm rebuild
if i remember right 77 1000 was first with the single needle bearings on each side swingarm,78 1000 was first year for double needle bearings on each side B)
if you go from bushings to needle bearings i would suggest having it line honed to make sure its straight ;)

posting from deep under a non-descript barn in an undisclosed location southwest of Omaha.

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03 Nov 2011 23:21 - 03 Nov 2011 23:24 #486922 by rstnick
Replied by rstnick on topic Swingarm rebuild
Have someone weld up a brace for you while you have the arm off.
I had this brace added by a buddy, using chrome molly.
Sure made the bike more stable over bumps at high speeds.
Had to remove the center stand mounts.
Now use one of those stands that slips in from behind the bike, lifting up on spools.




Rob
CANADA

Need a key for your Kawasaki? PM me

1978 KZ650 C2, 130K kms, Delkevic ex, EI, CVK32, PMC easy clutch, ATK fork brace, steering damper, braced swingarm, ZRX shocks, 18" Z1R front wheel.
2000 ZRX1100
2011 Ninja 250R - Wife's
2005 z750s (aka GPz750)
1978 KZ1000 project
Last edit: 03 Nov 2011 23:24 by rstnick.

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04 Nov 2011 00:16 #486928 by Link14
Replied by Link14 on topic Swingarm rebuild

mtbspeedfreak wrote: Cool, thanks! Were you able to notice any difference in the stiction of the swingarm with the old bushings vs the new bearings?


Sorry, I don't know. The bike wasn't running when I got it, but I knew the 1/4 inch play in the swingarm wasn't going to work.

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