swingarm bearing pre-load
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4
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swingarm bearing pre-load
The manual suggests using a spring scale to pre-load the swing arm bearings between 1 - 2 lbs. Any ideas on a torque setting procedure instead? I'm sure i read a non scale method on this somewhere....just can't remember where.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 67
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From: Sanford, Maine
I'm pretty sure someone'll have an issue with this but, an old fart told me years ago (and bytheway he liked being called old fart) to snug the bolt till you have smooth easy movement (up and down w/no side to side) then continue to tighten untill you feel an ever so slight drag while activating the arm, then lock the nut with the lock washer. He was there for the process and showed me what he meant, it's not easy to describe but the diff. is barely noticeable. Seemed to work, changed out the rear wheel last year so ck'd the swing arm while up in the air. Still smooth and tight after 20,000 mi.
This method may not be for you but thought I'd throw it in anyway.
As for a tourqe spec. can't help but I'm sure someone can. I'd like to know too.
Shane
This method may not be for you but thought I'd throw it in anyway.
As for a tourqe spec. can't help but I'm sure someone can. I'd like to know too.
Shane
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 1
From: Sawdust City
With everything off, I just tighten till you feel drag on moving it up and down. I never checked to see the torque, it would probably be only a few inch pounds. Maybe 5-10 at most, not much different than front Wheel bearings on an older car when you used to grease them.
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Stage IV
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4
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Thanks for the responses.....I tightened it up fairly snug, then backed off and on a few times till the lock tab lined up with a flat side. Probably too tight ....I'd say closer to maybe 15 - 20 ft lbs. Taking it off required much more effort.
Advanced
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 67
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From: Sanford, Maine
I think as long as the swingarm isn't binding up you'll be ok, couldn't tell you just how tight we ended up tightening mine but we had to reef down prettygood to get the snug fit. If you aren't getting any binding run with it.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
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From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Should have one , all the 4 speed shovel arms I've seen do .
There is no crush tube inside the swingarm so you have to pre load the bearings a bit . Put it together , run the bolt down till it's seated and see what kind of movement if any you get side to side and how free the up/down travel is . If loose go down 1/4 to 1/2 turns on the bolt till you get a slight drag on the up/down travel and lock it down . That's the way we did at the dealership in 1978 .
Ps if you have it apart use boat wheel bearing grease that nasty thick blue stuff , you can just about forget about it with that stuff , those bearings don't move 3/16" max .
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Jan 16, 2011 at 03:10 AM.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
If the swing arm is OEM, 58-61 swing arms did not have a zerc fitting. Wasn't used until 1962. There were 4 different swing arms used from 58 to 72. Apart from zirc fitting it came down to casting numbers and some extra reinforcement.
If you have one that is OEM it is either a Type 1 or Type 2 and bearing have to be repacked every 10K miles
If you have one that is OEM it is either a Type 1 or Type 2 and bearing have to be repacked every 10K miles
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,110
Likes: 51,395
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
If the swing arm is OEM, 58-61 swing arms did not have a zerc fitting. Wasn't used until 1962. There were 4 different swing arms used from 58 to 72. Apart from zirc fitting it came down to casting numbers and some extra reinforcement.
If you have one that is OEM it is either a Type 1 or Type 2 and bearing have to be repacked every 10K miles
If you have one that is OEM it is either a Type 1 or Type 2 and bearing have to be repacked every 10K miles
Nice OEM details thanks I'll file that bit of info away had no idea they changed that rapidly , 95% of the stuff I see has been zerked already .
Stage I
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1
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From: Iowa
Pfl parts
Take a look at this setup. Wish i wouldve found these sooner.
http://www.ttcycle.com/LifeTimeSwingArm.htm
http://www.ttcycle.com/LifeTimeSwingArm.htm