Swing arm radial play, shaft diameter KZ1000

Hi!

I have just started to assemble my KZ1000j -82 after work on the engine and a powder coat of the frame. A couple of years back, I changed the swing arm bearings and sleeves. I noticed now when I put the swing back on that it has a considerable radial play between the shaft and the sleeve. I pulled out the shaft just a bit and took a couple of measurements all between 14,3-14,5 mm. I google now that it should be 16 mm!? I read in the service manual that the service limit of the shaft is 0,7 mm.

Is 16,0 mm the correct shaft diameter?

thanks,

 

The 1000j frame pivot and swingarm spindle are listed at 16mm the same as all the other Z900/1000/GPZ1100 and also the 650 and 750's.
In reality from new the spindle measures 15.8mm and the frame boss 16.2mm.
14mm on the spindle is some serious slack and will cause severe handling issues.

Thanks, I will pull it tomorrow and take more measurements!

Is there a source for new ones, either NOS or replacements?

The bearings where basically stuck when I bought the bike, maybe that caused the severe wear.

I just popped out and measured my 82 "K" parts, spindle is 15.88 - 15.92 and the inner races (old parts) are 16 - 16.08. It seems strange that your spindle has worn unless the bearing have been seized at some point ( the inner race should do the moving on the needle rollers so there should be no reason for the spindle to wear ??)

The bearing where seized when I changed them. Before I bought it 5 years ago, it had been sitting in a garage for like 10 years, So its still kind of strange that it has this wear.

I will recheck tomorrow, I used a digital caliper today, maybe if was off, but now when I know what to expect I can look more closely.

/Jonas

Hello,

I have measured the spindle again, and furthest out from the center on both sides (where it contacts the frame) its 15.5 mm and where the sleeves are its 15.4 mm. So still considerable wear but a far cry from 14.4. The digital caliper had a 1 mm dent furthest in for some reason. My analog one dont have that feature.

Should be replaced right?

thanks,

I would replace, that much slack will make the bike weave at speed 

I have found a NOS part with a price tag of 60 USD. But... I am tempted to just buy an 16 mm axle and thread it. That would cost 10 USD and actually remove a bit more slack.
hmm...

You could make your own as long as you use a suitable grade of steel, but by the time you make it and zinc plate it etc I'm not sure how much you would save. Also don't forget there needs to be enough clearance for a layer of grease so it doesn't seize over time

Mine is 750, but when I removed my swingarm shaft, it looked OK but after sandblasting (I have a small blasting cabinet), it showed up with lots of rust pit. Guess it was covered with rust and grease that I couldn't see with just wiping it down.

Went online and found several shafts on evilbay and just bought one that looked the best. Blasted and now it look and work fine. Don't forget to replace the bearings and the seals at both end. Mine didn't come with one, so I also added a grease nipple. For my bike, sleeve were harder to find than the shaft.

I wouldn't blast any of the internal swingarm parts. The sleeve has been hardened where the needle bearings ride. The hardened layer is very thin and you can blast it off and the pieces will wear quickly. I soak rusty swingarm bolts and sleeves in EvapoRust then inspect the parts for damage. Many times it is just surface rust and the parts are fine.

Well I took Wookie advice and bought the new one, and im happy I did. It measures around 15,92 - 15,95. I installed it right away with new grease on the bearings (just 3-4 years old). What a difference! completely snug now, swingarm feels so good I want to take it to the track but... unfortunately its snowing and will do so for at least 4 months

 

But this is wierd, the old one measured between the sleeves:

 
It looks identical, same head etc.