1980 KZ550 C1 LTD Swing Arm Bearing and Sleeve Replacement

Hey guys, hoping to tap the KZ Fountain of Knowledge. I tore my swing arm apart; And found a bad bearing and a grooved sleeve. I have the needle bearings ordered but can't find a sleeve anywhere. Ebay had one but was far worse off than mine.

Does anyone know where I could find one?
Would another model's sleeve work?
Are these sleeves hardened? If not then I could weld it and put it on the surface grinder.

Appreciate any info you can throw my way.

Take a look at the link below. If the info it contains is accurate the sleeve on the 1980 KZ550-C1 is the same that was used on quite a few models. Ed

www.partzilla.com/product/kawasaki/42036-1018

No eBay APP ID and/or Cert ID defined in Kunena configurationSorry 650ed, part# 42036-1018 no longer available for all other Kawasaki models but here



go and buy fast

Edit:
or you do a needle bearing conversion from HK2216 to HK2016 with SUZUKI sleeves, need some metal work.

That sleeve in in the UK and I am in Central New York. Unfortunately I've had too many problems buying internationally through eBay. Looking to find a part that is closer to home. Doing my own machining would prob be cheaper than the shipping alone. LOL. Speaking of metal work. Scirocco, you mentioned changing needle bearings and switching to a Suzuki sleeve. But said some metal work would be involved. What would need to be done. Opening up or bushing down the swing arm to accommodate the different bearing? Shortening the sleeve? Both?

Although I am just thinking of filling the worn area with weld and surface grinding it to the proper diameter.

Well after a little more research; I found a website that lists 20 different bikes that use this same sleeve. So anyone owning these bikes may have a hard time finding a replacement too. And the list only included bikes from 1984 to 1996. Seems like a part that was used for at least 16 year would be easier to find. I guess not. lol

Your swing arm sleeve ID = 14 mm / OD = 22 mm
This Suzuki sleeve has the same ID/OD, 2 x € 10.50

www.cmsnl.com/suzuki-gs550e-1981-x-e01-e...145001/#.XESdRrmWw_w



Shorten your old grooved sleeve parts on both sides on a lathe by the lenght of the new Susuki sleeves
Your old sleeve work like an spacer between the new sleeves.

Happy wrenching

Sounds like a good plan to me.

I was able to get the sleeve welded; and then I spun it down on the surface grinder. It's ready to go.

Thats not a good idea, your sleave is made out of hardened steel.
With the welding you will loss the hardness and the needle bearing rollers will destroy the sleeve surface again.
If you run out of money ask your local motor services shop for a good used VW Beatle 22 mm pistion pin.

I work in a machine shop. We knew it was hardened before we welded it. And it was sent to another shop yesterday to be re-hardened. I should have it back tomorrow

Well done LouisDePasquale1980KZ550C, your are a man who know the carbon/iron ratio and Brinell/Rockwell/Vickers hardness tests.

The trouble I've had when attempting things like that is that the act of welding tends to cause the piece to distort as it cools. Did you have to heat the entire piece before welding?