Swingarm rebuild

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.

What bike are you working on?

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.

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.

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!

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.

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?

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

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

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
if you go from bushings to needle bearings i would suggest having it line honed to make sure its straight

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.

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.