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Swingarm regrease ?

  1. #1
    100 X slower than Gerard scootertrash's Avatar
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    Anyone have an opinion about the need to regrease a swingarm on a bike with 8k miles? I have a '99 ZX9R that I bought this past summer with 3K miles on it. It now has almost 8K miles on it. I am currently doing some of the routine maintenance on it, and the manual recommends the swingarm be removed and regreased at 8K. It doesn't look too difficult to do, just a pain to remove all the associated parts. I do not have one special tool to remove the large locknut on the swingarm main bolt, but I could probably fabricate a tool if necessary. I am just wondering if it is worth the effort to do it. I don't spend much time on dirt roads, and don't do a lot of riding in the rain, so I may not need to do the regrease yet.
    What's your vote...do it now, or wait until next winter ?

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  2. #2
    Lifer Rye's Avatar
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    Too bad your model is a '99, the E models come with grease nipples. It probably would be best to do it. It'll keep your bearings happy. It's winter and you won't wanna do it during riding season and by then you'll have another 2g's on it. Use a good all-purpose grease and call it a day. Not sure what size locknut is on it but I was able to get a 32mm socket from Sears for the castle nut on the axle.

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  3. #3
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    If you do any rain riding, it would be advisable to grease 'em.

    While you have the swingarm off, you can drill and tap it for a zerk fitting. So next year you can just hit it with a grease gun instead.

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  4. #4
    100 X slower than Gerard scootertrash's Avatar
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    Thanks for the replies.

    Good idea about putting a grease nipple while I have the arm off.

    The locknut is actually a round disk about the size of a half-dollar with some notches in it. Once you unthread the locknut from one side of the shaft and the nut from the other, the shaft can apparently be unscrewed and removed, allowing the arm to be removed. I will have to make a tool for the locknut.

    Guess I have a project for next weekend...

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  5. #5
    Lifer legalspeed's Avatar
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    The tool you speak of is called a spanner wrench, check the tool kit that came with your bike for one.

    As for the grease, only checking will tell.

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  6. #6
    100 X slower than Gerard scootertrash's Avatar
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    Originally posted by legalspeed
    The tool you speak of is called a spanner wrench, check the tool kit that came with your bike for one.
    Good tip...but my toolkit doesn't have one. I did buy the bike used, so it's possible the original owner lost this particular piece of the tool kit...

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  7. #7
    100 X slower than Gerard scootertrash's Avatar
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    Spanner wrench

    Started pulling off the swing arm over the weekend.
    If anyone has the same issue I did (needing a tool to remove the special lock nut) I came across a simple solution. It turns out that the male adapter end of a 1.5 inch iron pipe connector ($1.29 at your local hardware store) has the exact ID and OD to fit in the frame recess. (40mm ID and 52mm OD)
    About 10 minutes with a 4" grinder, and you have yourself a nice (and cheap) spanner wrench that won't mar up your frame.

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  8. #8
    Lifer Rye's Avatar
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    Homemade tools.......gotta love 'em. Now fab up a way to torque it to spec. and I'll be REAL impressed.

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  9. #9
    100 X slower than Gerard scootertrash's Avatar
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    Originally posted by Rye
    Homemade tools.......gotta love 'em. Now fab up a way to torque it to spec. and I'll be REAL impressed.
    I was figurin' on having my neighbor weld/braze a nut onto the other end of the iron connector. That will allow me to use the ol' torque wrench. I just hope he can weld to pipe iron.

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  10. #10
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    Swingarm regrease ?

    Homemade tools.......gotta love 'em
    that's what a mig or brazing is for. Nice to have tools to make tools

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