Try our new info resource - "Aladdin's Cave" (Main menu)Just added a separate link to Ash's Dropbox thread (shortcut)
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?
Thanks for the info Erny Following Bryans advice I have just tried tightening the swing arm right up.60ft lbs - still have play80ft 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.
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.
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
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.