Bronze swingarm bushing question

the fedex truck just dropped off my new swingarm bushings. Looking at them in the package, I can already tell that the inner diameter is much larger than just the swingarm bolt.

So do I also put that steel tube in there? (the tube that was inside the swingarm with the old roller bearings?

If you bought bronze bushings you bought the wrong part. Bronze bushings were used only on the 1977 KZ650. 1978 they went to the 4 needle bearings. A whole different setup, different swingarm, different tube too. All different parts fitted in 1978 and bronze bushings were no longer used.

this is what it said:

Hi, this auction is for a Set of 2 New Bronze Swing Arm Bushings. These Swingarm bushings are for the following bikes
Z1900 A/B (73-75)
KZ900 (76)
KZ 750 Twins (73-78)
H2 750 Mach IV (72-75)
KZ 650 ALL (76-83)
H1 500 Mach III (69-75)


plus about 10 other bikes.

so then what is the replacement for needle bearings

The bronze bushings were used on all those except the KZ650 was only in 1977. 1978-83 was needle bearings. You don't want to put crap bushings in place of needle bearings even if they would fit. Buy the 4 needle bearings. Kawasaki part #92046-1115. 4 bearings are cheaper than one bronze bushing through Kawasaki $11 each at bikebandit.com where it's around $46 each for the bronze bushings used in 1977

Please check with dealer to be sure, but according to Kawasaki.com, it looks like the KZ650B2 uses 4 needle bearings – part #92046-1115 (these are available Ron Ayers price = $8.80 each, Z1E may charge less?) and 1 swing arm sleeve – part #42036-1012 (no longer available from dealer, but some internet parts dealers have them). Always check the eBay part numbers against Kawasaki.com before buying because the folks selling stuff very often list the wrong models for the parts their selling. You may be able to get a refund if the seller is honest, if not, let us know his eBay ID so we are extra careful. Ed

they go by cycleparts direct on Ebay. I wrote him an email explaining the situation and asked if he would just trade me for 4 of those needle bearings. its the same price

I have all the other hardware,including the "bolt sleeve". my old needlebearings were trashed so I pressed them out before painting my frame and swingarm.

I have all my parts, and the Imron is curing... I will be able to reassemble the bike just as soon as I get this issue worked out. Thankfully this is the only part mis-match in all the parts I bought.

I'm not going to be able to ride for probably about 3 weeks- i just got back from having some cancer cut off my face, and it is right in front of my ear where my helmet will push on it. Right now I've got 4 stitches in there and it hurts like crap! hope I can sleep tonight