Swingarm movement side to side

NEWBIE first post ever. I have an 80 LTD 1000. I took the swingarm off to paint it and the rear wheel. After putting it back together, I noticed the swingarm moves side to side at the pivot point of the frame. I notice that there is a 1/2" gap or so between the arm and the frame. I tighten it pretty tight, and verified that the endcaps are on. Is the swingarm supposed to move side to side or should there be some sort of spacer or shim of some kind. I didn't notice anything fall when i removed the swingarm. BTW: This forum is great for anyone looking to "Let the good times roll".

Welcome to KZR.

You are right to be concerned, that is way too much slop.

While you are searching for a factory shop manual (it will save your FAR MORE than it costs), go to kawasaki.com, click on "owner info," then "parts diagrams." There you can search for your bike and can pull up the parts diagram for the swing arm so you can see all the parts that are supposed to be there.

If nothing fell off when you took it apart, then I reckon it was that way when you got it. That must have been a scary ride! If this is the case, then either parts were lost by the p.o., or the swing arm is not the correct one, or perhaps the frame is sprung.
Hopefully, it is just missing some cheap parts that you can get quickly, while you search for that factory shop manual.

Cheers.

U Da Man...i was missing the endcaps. They fell in my washtank, and i didn't realize it. If not for the diagram of the parts, i would've been stumped. Thanks for your help.

"Let the good times roll"