Swing Arm Needle Bearings

I'm almost ready to send my frame and swing arm to get sand blasted and powder coated. I don't really want to leave the needle bearings in there. I gave them a bit of a tap with the old big screw driver down the tube trick but they are stuck firm. Nothing in the manual about removal. I might try again with my heat gun.
Can anyone advise me on the removal of these please?

www.cmsnl.com/kawasaki-1982-kz305-b1-csr...ng-hk2216_920461115/

www.cmsnl.com/kawasaki-1982-kz305-b1-csr...odel15451/partslist/

www.partzilla.com/parts/detail/kawasaki/KP-92046-1115.html

Rustyhama wrote: I'm almost ready to send my frame and swing arm to get sand blasted and powder coated. I don't really want to leave the needle bearings in there. I gave them a bit of a tap with the old big screw driver down the tube trick but they are stuck firm. Nothing in the manual about removal. I might try again with my heat gun.
Can anyone advise me on the removal of these please?

Am presupposing that the swing-arm's inner sleeve has already been removed, so that only the needle bearings -- one needle bearing inside each end of the swing-arm -- are now remaining inside the swing-arm.

When removed, the needle bearings are usually damaged and must therefore be replaced with new needle bearings.

Removal may be done with a metal bar used as a punch to drive out the needle bearing from the opposite end of the swing arm.

Assure that the bar bangs only against the needle bearing to drive it out. And take pains to avoid damaging the interior surface of the swing-arm.

Reverse ends to drive out the other needle bearing.

On some models, the new needle bearings are "pressed" in.
Don't know for sure that it would ease installation, but could try keeping the new bearings in the freezer overnight, and attempt to install them when ice-cold (maybe they'll slip right into their positions inside the swing-arm).

If a plastic or rubber hammer is used, be certain that the bearing is perfectly aligned to enter the swing-arm. (Don't try to drive it in crooked.)

Remember to grease the bearings before completing assembly of the swing-arm.

Good Fortune!

Thanks for the replies. I have my last shipment of parts on it's way from the US now so I'm going to keep the bearings in for the sand blast powder coat process. The sand blaster will tape them up and seems to think it will be ok.

Hey, is your sleeve knackered?? Mine is shot and I am trying to find a new/lightly used one.

I don’t think so. It looks bright and shiny and the bolt comes out easy so it must be straight too.