Greasing the swingarm.

[Bradders]

Evening.
I would like to grease the swingarm on my bike but am not sure how to do it. I know where the nipple thing is but do I need a grease gun and do I need a special sort of grease?
Do I need to unscrew the nipple and just put the grease in until it comes out? Any info would be much appreciated.
Chris.

[JamesH]

Chris - just a general auto grease gun like this will work (I’m basing this on the 500/750):

https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-equipment/garage-essentials/laser-grease-gun-500cc-589004.html

No need to remove any fittings - just fire the grease in until you see it coming out at either end of the swingarm where it sits against/buts up to the inside of the frame.

This is all assuming your existing swingarm isn’t full of hardened / dried up grease.

[Bradders]

Thanks JamesH for your reply. I’m hoping it’s not too gunged up in there as I think the  Previous owner rebuilt it all about 4 years ago. Do I need to use any particular grease?

[Bryanj]

Any bearing grease, used to be Castrol LM from memory. Needs greasing every 1000 miles idealy or before you go out if you ride infrequently

[Bradders]

Thanks Bryanj, I better get greasing, it’s not been done for 4 years!

[Bryanj]

Well i say more often than Honda ever did, but then i also spent tpp much of my life getting swingarm bushes out and frightening customers with the cost of the collar!

[Yoshi823]

Talking of those plastic swing arm bushes, there used to be a time when M&P used to sell phosphur-bronze ones for less than £20. I bought a bulk load & fitted them to my 550s, my 750F2 & to a friend's CBX1000ZA. They certainly improved the feel of the back end after fitting.

[Nurse Julie]

Talking of those plastic swing arm bushes, there used to be a time when M&P used to sell phosphur-bronze ones for less than £20. I bought a bulk load & fitted them to my 550s, my 750F2 & to a friend's CBX1000ZA. They certainly improved the feel of the back end after fitting.

I sell the bronze swing arm bushes on my ebay page for £26.00 ( when I haven't run out of stock like I have this week 🙄🙄🙄) Lots of forum members have bought them from me and have fitted them with excellent feedback. I have also fitted them to all my bikes as well.

[Laverdaroo]

Had two sets...................spot on they are!

Commision check to the usual address Julie

[Bradders]

Evening. Am trying to grease my swingarm. When I put the grease gun on the nipple and pump the gun the grease just squirts all around the nipple. Has anyone any tips of how to get the grease in? Many thanks.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

tbh the best greasing I have experienced is when I use an industrial  one that is pneumatically powered with grease out of a drum. When using a DIY manually operated gun it's been  a very hit & miss experience for me. I've tried cartridge types with mixed results. One week a gun can be brilliant next time it's useless. An adjustable  nozzle that is the right size for the nipple head is a must so you can lock it in place. I waste more grease than I ever get into the right place.

[K2-K6]

Inside the grease nipple is usually a little ball bearing backed by a spring to keep it closed and prevent dirt getting in, sometimes that can get stuck with the grease squirting outside and not pushing the ball in to open the route to the bearings. Ordinarily, leaning really hard on the gun so that it seals tight and squeezing thw grease in gets it through.

Failing that. Pushing the ball in with a small cross head screwdriver may move it.

They can also be unscrewed from the arm to inspect and clean too. Just a small ring spanner or flattish pliers to grip it and turn anti clockwise to get it out and inspect it.

[Bradders]

Thanks guys. Ted I think I will have to get an adjustable nozzle as you suggest, mine doesn’t seem to fit that well. K2 -K6, I managed to get a small screwdriver and push the ball bearing in and out so I think that’s fine. If I removed the nipple could I grease the swing arm and then replace the nipple? ( maybe a daft question).

[K2-K6]

Not so easy to get the grease in without nipple in place, you'd still need to seal the supply to the arm.

The nipple when it interfaces correctly (good fit gun) effectively makes a high pressure resistant pathway into the bearing cavity, the pressure is quite high as you are pushing the old grease out of the end of the bearings with the new you are forcing in, hence the demand made on the sealing as you apply it.

As already mentioned, the best fit of gun etc should make it the most effective in working through this.

[Oddjob]

The 500 has push fit grease nipples on the shaft, not sure if the 350 is the same, bitch to get a new one in without damaging either the outer surface or the ball bearing.