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[porthole]

So, anyone know the diameter of the swing arm shaft?

Can't find the spec anywhere.

[porthole]

I'll post pics later of what I used to install the bearings, simple tools.

But - new bearings - same play.
There go those hopes of an improvment.

Only thing I didn't change is the pivot shaft, but there is no measurable wear on the shaft - any one have the specs for the shaft?

My local dealers do not have one in stock to measure. Come to think of it - they haven't had much in stock lately.

[Boatman]

Sorry there is no improvement Duane.  Anything I get has to be ordered by my dealer.  Get about everything on line.  It would be great if they had one to compare.  They (swingarms) probably all have that much play.   At least you know what was done and it will help the rest of us in the future.

[HogBreath]

I've been watching this thread Duane. I had the Black NightRod special. It rode great most of the time, but, then, for no reason it would feel like the rear tire wasn't following the front. At first I shrugged it off as the wide rear tire gripping the road differently than the front rear tire. One day it was on the rack in the garage and someone happened to push on the rear tire sideways. It moved. I never gauged the movement, but, I'd guess it to be movement similar to your's. The movement was coming from the swing arm bearing on the right side. The bike was new and still under waranty, so I carried it back to the dealer. They didn't fnd anything wrong. I brought it home, put it on the rack..same thing. Sold the bike soon after, so never fixed the problem.

I'm curious, do you feel the rear tire feeling as if it's not following the front?? Or did you just simply check the bearings to be checking?

[porthole]

One day it was on the rack in the garage and someone happened to push on the rear tire sideways. It moved. I never gauged the movement, but, I'd guess it to be movement similar to yours.

Ken - the only way I felt any play with my swing arm was because the rear tire was off and it was suggested that I check it. Moving the tire while in the frame I seriously doubt I would have been able to feel any play.

I'm curious, do you feel the rear tire feeling as if it's not following the front??
Or did you just simply check the bearings to be checking?

Never felt anything like you or others have described with the "feels like it is not on track"

I have had the wobble, but that is different. So the second question would be it's own answer.

[porthole]

Sorry there is no improvement Duane.  Anything I get has to be ordered by my dealer.  Get about everything on line.  It would be great if they had one to compare.  They (swingarms) probably all have that much play.   At least you know what was done and it will help the rest of us in the future.

Hey Bob,
 
As far as the swing arm pivot shaft is concerned - there should not be any wear. The shaft is bolted in the frame, the inner swing arm bearing's inner race fits on this shaft.
Shaft goes in, nuts torqued on each side,  inner bearings "bearing" ride on the inner race which is stationary .

As long as all the parts are good the inner doesn't move on the shaft.

[porthole]

Correction
***********************************************************

Need to point out something here, the "no improvement" I mentioned above is the measurement from old bearings to new bearings with the swing arm on the bench - not installed on the bike and the pivot shaft torqued to specs.

Sorry for any confusion 

[SneakyPete]

I'm with Brian on this one.  I changed out my swingarm bearings at 20K, had visible play. Now have 48K on bike and had a wobble in MV.  Gonna make the change at next rear tire change shortly

Changed out the spherical bearings in the swingarm as well as the rubber spacers while changing the rear tire.  Bike rides like on rails again.  My recommendation is to change these parts out every 25-30K miles using stock HD parts.  Along with proper alignment, high speed wobble is no issue.  JMHO.

[porthole]

OK, done with the swing arm.

This is the "special" press I used to push the inner spacer into the bearing. Hi tech, eh?

[porthole]

Does a fine job

[porthole]

I used my "all thread", couple of nuts, washers, a nice bearing and the old bushings along with one of the trans tool drivers.

This easily pressed the bearings into the swing arm.

[porthole]

pieces and parts

[porthole]

After getting the bearings seated I tried slipping the swing arm onto the trans (still sitting on the bench). Didn't fit, so I used a bolt and the same spacers, washers etc to move the bearing out just a bit on both sides.

[porthole]

I checked the play in the shaft after the bearing were installed, was about the same as prior to replacing.

This is not critical (swing arm not mounted).

I had .008-.010" play depending on how hard I pushed.

I would now say .008 - .010" is normal

[porthole]

Once the swing arm was mounted, torqued and the Sta Bo's installed I checked again for play. There was no play that could be "felt" now, but I could still see movement on the dial indicator. This may have been just me pushing harder then before.

The swing arm feels good in the frame now.

I would suggest, should you be doing this yourself , that in addition to replacing all the parts involved that you have on hand 2 extra 1/2" fine thread nuts. These are used as jam nuts on one end of the pivot shaft while you torque the opposite end.

I would also suggest you have two non-impact 3/8 drive 6 point deep sockets to torque and hold the pivot shaft nuts. My rubber bushings were snug enough that I had a difficult time getting the sockets in.

The sockets are less then $5 at Sears and it makes the job easier.