Bagger wobble solved!
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Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
There are several firms who make 'plastic' bushing kits that will adapt a late swingarm to the earlier small diameter axle. True-Track, Motorcycle Metal, as well as Sta-Bo, offer the, so there are options. They all use alternative materials because they are making them in small quantities, not hundreds of thousands every year!
If you're thinking of machining an early transmission case to take the later larger axle, don't, there's a good chap! It isn't necessary and opening up the current deep hole is fraught with risk of doing a bad job.
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From: LA
I wonder ... is there no needle bearing of the right size and up for the job?
As the title of this thread is "Bagger wobble solved!", I'll throw this out for others criticism.
My latest musing ... (it's going to need more than Play-Doh holding it in there). The dog leg is provide clearance for the belt. I figure, worse case scenario, this is about as tight as it can get. See it used on other far lighter bikes. A chain drive would allow a more optimum horizontal brace.
As the title of this thread is "Bagger wobble solved!", I'll throw this out for others criticism.
My latest musing ... (it's going to need more than Play-Doh holding it in there). The dog leg is provide clearance for the belt. I figure, worse case scenario, this is about as tight as it can get. See it used on other far lighter bikes. A chain drive would allow a more optimum horizontal brace.
Last edited by Dun Roamin; May 24, 2014 at 11:56 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Bedford UK
It's not an appropriate application. A needle bearing, as used with our Evo cams, is intended for rotation, not oscillation. The rollers won't move very much at all, during motion of the s/a, resulting in Brinelling I suspect. Our steering head bearings tend to use ***** or tapered rollers, which are also not an appropriate application...... 
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From: LA
Oscillation? Should it oscillate? Or is that just to stop it shaking itself to bits?
Looking at the engine mounts ... it looks like they are built to absorb vibration.
I thought they were simple Rose or Heim joints but it appears they are quite rigid and more about anti-vibration than movement.
Looking at the engine mounts ... it looks like they are built to absorb vibration.
I thought they were simple Rose or Heim joints but it appears they are quite rigid and more about anti-vibration than movement.
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Joined: Nov 2012
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From: USA
Oscillation? Should it oscillate? Or is that just to stop it shaking itself to bits?
Looking at the engine mounts ... it looks like they are built to absorb vibration.
I thought they were simple Rose or Heim joints but it appears they are quite rigid and more about anti-vibration than movement.
Looking at the engine mounts ... it looks like they are built to absorb vibration.
I thought they were simple Rose or Heim joints but it appears they are quite rigid and more about anti-vibration than movement.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
You're mixing two things here! We were discussing the swingarm, which has a total movement at the wheel axle of around 3", depending on shocks (some of which actually have around 4" of travel) which in turn represents a significant oscillation! The stabilizers for the engine mounts move far less relative movement and all mine are spherical bearings. In current bikes all those are plain bearings, which is an appropriate type of load bearing design, that can cope with small degrees of motion and not suffer localised problems like brinelling.
You're right that the sectioned bearing you show seems to be damped. What bike did it come off?
You're right that the sectioned bearing you show seems to be damped. What bike did it come off?
Last edited by grbrown; May 26, 2014 at 08:48 AM. Reason: Grammar.
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From: LA
In fact, they hardly move.
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: LA
I don't know if this is a component to the issue but investigating the later 3/4" axle (link), I noticed that there is about 1 to 1.5 mm clearance either side of the swingarm to the frame.
Obviously you need some but not that much.
Essentially, going with something like Sta-Bo bushes, the swing arm is only stuck in position by its stiction to the bushing.
I'm wonder if it's worth spacing so there's no possibility of side to side movement?
Obviously you need some but not that much.
Essentially, going with something like Sta-Bo bushes, the swing arm is only stuck in position by its stiction to the bushing.
I'm wonder if it's worth spacing so there's no possibility of side to side movement?
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Joined: Apr 2014
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From: LA
Just for the sakes of information ...
Here is a close up of the older adjustable engine mount. You can see how it is also a fixed rubber mount rather than the usual stiff but mobile Heim or Rose joint which might look, typically, as below it.
I was going to replace mine with some upgraded ones from a motorsport supplier but I'm guess now they might transfer a bit more vibrations (and perhaps eat themselves quicker). I must find out what they are ... or are called.
Here is a close up of the older adjustable engine mount. You can see how it is also a fixed rubber mount rather than the usual stiff but mobile Heim or Rose joint which might look, typically, as below it.
I was going to replace mine with some upgraded ones from a motorsport supplier but I'm guess now they might transfer a bit more vibrations (and perhaps eat themselves quicker). I must find out what they are ... or are called.
Last edited by Dun Roamin; Jun 9, 2014 at 10:08 PM.