Swing Arm Bushes

[florence]

I noticed this week there was a tiny amount of play in the swing arm; something felt slightly wrong.  I did apply grease earlier in the year and have ridden about 1000 miles since. 

I put some more grease in this afternoon and now,  when manipulating the rear wheel with the bike on the centre stand, the play appears to have gone.

My question is, should there be play when grease is needed or is it a sign that I will have to replace the bushes this winter?

[Johnwebley]

Obviously there is some wear,

If greasing them removes the play it's not critical

But, it is your choice

Personally I would leave it for a few thousand miles away

Monitor it

Sent from my SM-A546E using Tapatalk

[Bryanj]

Be prepared to buy the collar as well(expensive) the steel collar wear just as much as the plastic bushes

[florence]

Plastic?  I thought they were brass? 

[Murf]

Check the swinging arm pivot bolt is torqued up correctly, if it’s ok then as already said just monitor it for now.
Do you know when the bushes were last changed, if it’s recent and they have been greased regularly shouldn’t be much wear.
 If they are just as the bike came to you then they could have been neglected in the past. There is also a collar/sleeve that the pivot  bolt goes through that can corrode and wear if swinging arm greasing is neglected for long periods.
 If you do decide to change the bushes Nurse Julie sells bronze ones.

[florence]

The last time I had the swing arm off was in 1995 when I rebuilt the bike, and I can't remember whether I replaced the bushes at that time or whether they were still good.  I don't think I did so very likely they are still the original ones.  I have greased them fairly regularly.  In terms of torque on the bolt, that's a good shout, it could have loosened in the last 30 years.  Is there a proper setting?

[deltarider]

Florence, what model is yours?

[Murf]

The book I have (Haynes)gives 39 to 50 ft-lb,   So say 42 ft-lb    The thing is, after tightening the SA must be able to move up and down freely, it is possible on some bikes to bend the frame inwards with over tightening and jam the SA.

Cmsnl have the collars if you need one, try not to,  they are expensive as said.

[Murf]

Just thought, frame won’t bend on 550 as it is tightened against the ends of the collar.

[Oddjob]

Florence has a CB500k so the bushes will be steel not plastic.

The collar on the 500 is also different from the one fitted to the 550 due to the different positioning of the grease nipples. The 500 has them on the end of the SA bolt, the 550 has it positioned centrally on the underside of the SA. Hard to find a collar for the 500 these days, you can tell the difference between the 500 and 550 by the drilling’s in the spiral grooves, the 500 has them, the 550 doesn’t.

You could try and find a needle bearing conversion for the SA, but be aware they are not suitable for the 500 SA unless you alter the greasing arrangement.

[florence]

Yes, mine is CB550K, not sure what number, UK model, manufactured 1974.  It has the grease nipples on the ends of the shaft.

Will the 550 swing arm with 550 shaft fit the 500 frame?

[Bryanj]

Physically yes but sme 550 have closed ends where the axle fits for the 4 into 1 exhaust.
Ken is correct about the collars but i have found only the early one with spiral grooves and grease holes at the end is available the one for the single greaser is difficult to find, i also tend to drill and tap the ends of the swingarm bolt to fit standard 6mm grease nipples as the honda ones damage easily and dont let grease through.
Bushes and collars are same on 750 and 500

[florence]

great, thanks very much

[Oddjob]

It’s actually easier to drill a hole in the SA tube, centrally of course and underneath, then tap it and fit a grease nipple in there. I welded a 6mm nut on mine to avoid any chance of it stripping out. You need to make sure if doing that you make the weld run around the nut with no holes or the grease will pour out of any gap. The other alternative is to fit a CB550k swinging arm on yours ( I think you meant to say yours is a 500 not a 550 btw) the 550 has the open ends to accommodate the 4 into 4 exhausts but has the central grease nipple as well. I’ve bought ones from DM? And they were reasonably cheap and came with the bolt as well. If you’re lucky it will also have a decent collar.

[deltarider]

Does any of you know a greaser that will fit my central nipple? https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb500k2-general-export_model50441/nipple-grease_9620180000/