Swinging arm bushes

[Mike_Berkshire]

Another newbie question. I am getting close to the point where I can send the frame to the paintshop for stripping/enamelling. I have taken off the swinging arm, removed the pivot bolt & the end caps. I assume that where the manual (Im mainly using Haynes) describes 'bushes' it is referring to the inner (steel?) sleeve. Having only worked on old Brit bikes previously, to me a swinging arm bush is a short brass or phosphor bronze insert. Subject to the bush sleeve being within tolerance I am planning to leave it in the swinging arm whilst it is repainted; masking the ends and the grease nipple. Is this approach OK and is my understanding of what needs to be checked for tolerance correct? Thanks

[Nurse Julie]

The old ones you are referring to are like a bakolite. Cut a chanel in them and remove them before powder coating etc. Just cut lengthway with a hacksaw blade and prise out. Then cover the ends for powder coating. I sell the bronze bush replacements.

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[Mike_Berkshire]

The old ones you are referring to are like a bakolite. Cut a chanel in them and remove them before powder coating etc. Just cut lengthway with a hacksaw blade and prise out. Then cover the ends for powder coating. I sell the bronze bush replacements.

Thats extremely helpful and I now understand - having properly cleaned the area I can now see. So I remove the inner steel tube, cut out the old bushes, mask, paint, knock the new bushes in, put the steel tube back in, refit arm, re-fit retaining bolt, re-grease? Thanks so much! Mike

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I used the bushes that Julie sells in my 400 & 500 - they are spot on.

I put the replacement bushes in the freezer overnight then drited them in with out too much difficulty.

I don't recall any removable inner steel tube, it is shown in the parts book - I obviously left mine as it was.

[mickwinf]

I never have much luck sawing the old bushes so made a simple tool. A thick washer the diameter of the hole in the swing arm but too big for Bush. File 2 flats on washer to allow it to pass through Bush then drop through to other side and drive Bush out with long drift. Easy! Also recommend bushes sold by Julie.

[Laverda Dave]

+1 with the bushes sold by Julie and Ted's top-tip re the freezer. A word of warning though, make 100% sure there is no paint on the edge of the swing arm where the top hat of the bush sits otherwise the swing arm will bind on the frame at the pivot point when you torque the pivot nut.

[SteveW]

I heated the end of the swingarm and just knocked out the bush with a long steel rod. Came out pretty easy, no cutting.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I heated the end of the swingarm and just knocked out the bush with a long steel rod. Came out pretty easy, no cutting.

Are you refering to the short bushes that used to be plastic (Julies are Brass) or the long Center Collar shown in the parts book diagram as item 13 p/n 52141-300-000 a hefty £103.22  from DS?

[Bryanj]

Usually you find the collar more worn than the bushes, the early one is still available, but bloody expensive, the later one is not available but you can use the early one, preferably with the bolt having a grease nipple at each end rather than the one in middle of swing arm

[Johnny4428]

I’ve fitted a couple of sets also from NJ. Only advice I can offer is make sure the inside of swingarm tube is spotless. I drove mine in with a rubber mallet.

[SteveW]

I heated the end of the swingarm and just knocked out the bush with a long steel rod. Came out pretty easy, no cutting.

Are you refering to the short bushes that used to be plastic (Julies are Brass) or the long Center Collar shown in the parts book diagram as item 13 p/n 52141-300-000 a hefty £103.22  from DS?

They were about 2 inches long and definitely metal.

[SteveW]

I have a set of the bronze bushes from Julie I’m about to install.
Do I still need the caps, item 15 in the picture?

[Laverda Dave]

Yes you do Steve. They are dust seals and they also have a rubber seal on the inside to keep the swing arm grease in.

[Seabeowner]

Usually you find the collar more worn than the bushes, the early one is still available, but bloody expensive, the later one is not available but you can use the early one, preferably with the bolt having a grease nipple at each end rather than the one in middle of swing arm

That's been my experience as well. Managed to find a couple of the precision steel rods when they were cheaper.

[SteveW]

Yes you do Steve. They are dust seals and they also have a rubber seal on the inside to keep the swing arm grease in.

Thanks Dave.