Sideways play in swing arm.

[Trigger]

A 74 550 can be either a 550K0 or a 550F1 and they both have different swinging arms with different bushing systems.

Has the petrol tank got a flap covering the cap or is the cap an exposed chrome one?

NO 550F1 in 1974 Ken 

A 1974 550 should have the same set up as a CB500 four, same frame and swing arm.

[SteveW]

Exposed fuel cap

[SteveW]

On my vin plate it’s says built Nov 73

[Erny]

It will be the same as my 550K1 (USA model)
https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550-k1-four-1975-usa_model466/partslist/F++07.html#.X0NvScgzaUl

originally there is no washer under bolt head, only washer under nut (self-locking)

Stockt setup is: Bush-Felt ring-Thrust bush-Dust seal cup (steel)

And I can confirm what was said here, I had worn bushes and collar too (yes, expensive).

You will know once you dissassemble it, apart of dirty chain work it is quick to do

I recommend bronze bushings from Julie, before installng them make sure your swing arm is clean w/o debris where bushes will go. In my case they went in pretty tight, I used threaded rod to press them in (I would put them into freezer for hours before assembly next time)

[SteveW]

Thanks for the info Erny 

Following Bryans advice I have just tried tightening the swing arm right up.

60ft lbs - still have play
80ft lbs - play has gone completely.

My question now is, was my play in the swing arm just down to it not being tight enough or is it still worn and I'm just masking the fault by over tightening it?

Have left it at 80ft lbs for the moment, haven't taken the bike out yet. Just want to gauge opinion first.

Thanks.

[Nurse Julie]

Thanks for the info Erny 

Following Bryans advice I have just tried tightening the swing arm right up.

60ft lbs - still have play
80ft lbs - play has gone completely.

My question now is, was my play in the swing arm just down to it not being tight enough or is it still worn and I'm just masking the fault by over tightening it?

Have left it at 80ft lbs for the moment, haven't taken the bike out yet. Just want to gauge opinion first.

Thanks.

At 80 ft/lb does the swing arm still move up and down? If yes, that's good, if no, then it's too tight and needs backing off. It needs to swing when you move it up and down manually, it should have a bit of resistance to the swing and not just drop down and hit the floor with no resistance.

[SteveW]

Thanks Julie,

I've just disconnected the shocks and the swing arm moves up and down freely, I cant feel it binding or anything.

It drops to the ground under its own weight.

[Nurse Julie]

Thanks Julie,

I've just disconnected the shocks and the swing arm moves up and down freely, I cant feel it binding or anything.

It drops to the ground under its own weight.

Haha, this is one of those things that is so difficult to describe. If it drops to the floor fast under its own weight, it's too loose, if it drops to the floor very slowly under its own weight or you have to push it by hand to get it to the floor, that's about right. The most important thing is that the swing arm can swing.

[SteveW]

Thanks Julie, that's saved me a few ££.

[Bryanj]

If you grab the wheel end and pull/push sideways can you feel any play at the bearing/frame junction.
If not pump it full of clean grease and see how it "falls" then

[SteveW]

If you grab the wheel end and pull/push sideways can you feel any play at the bearing/frame junction.
If not pump it full of clean grease and see how it "falls" then

No play at all.

[Bryanj]

In that case lotsa grease and your good to go

[MrDavo]

Last night I fitted the swinging arm to my Z1 for the first time, and found that following this thread had been a great help, when it came to how tight the spindle nut needed to be - well tight made the swinging arm stiff, I backed off the nut until it was too loose, and went for something in between.

[florence]

I see you have solved this so very good.

For others looking at this problem, be sure that the movement is coming from the joint with the frame and check movement with the wheel off.

When I took mine for it's first MOT in 1995, after I had fitted new bushes, the tester found movement when hauling the back wheel side to side but it turned out that the swing arm itself was flexing, there was no movement at the joint.  1970s frame design was the conclusion.

[taysidedragon]

I see you have solved this so very good.

For others looking at this problem, be sure that the movement is coming from the joint with the frame and check movement with the wheel off.

When I took mine for it's first MOT in 1995, after I had fitted new bushes, the tester found movement when hauling the back wheel side to side but it turned out that the swing arm itself was flexing, there was no movement at the joint.  1970s frame design was the conclusion.

I don't think the tester should be applying that much force. Not necessary to detect play!  😯