MikesXS Needle Bearing Swing Arm Kit?

[garyr]

Has anyone installed it yet? I'm thinking about doing that upgrade on my brothers bike but I don't understand the 4 needle bearings and where they go. 2 on each side, where do the other 2 go.

Also for anyone who installed it, do the needle bearings need to be pressed on or do they side in by hand.

Thanks

[xsleo]

Two on each side is four, no other two. As in two leftside two right side, 2+2=4. I have not used the needle bearing kit. I think they should be a press fit. If they just slid in, the swing arm might pivot around the bearings instead of the bearings pivoting aroung the pivot bolt.

[ShakerNorm]

I didn't use Mike's kit, but the kit I have on my bike was set up so that the needle bearings and their cages slid quite easily into the swingarm bushing (which were press fit into the swingarm), but the shaft is a TIGHT fit through them, so there is no radial play anywhere. It was also pretty tight getting it into the frame, too, so there's no side to side play, either.

There's no play anywhere, but it rotates quite easily. I like it.

[motormike]

My set has been on the bike for nearly 20 years... a couple summers back I pulled the swing arm off and laid an eyeball on everything... still looked great... swing arm is tight.. no side to side play... I had the bronze units and they wore out in about 5 years...

[garyr]

Thanks for all the feedback. I guess 2 bearings on each side, not any in the middle and I may be able to tap gently on the bearing races to get them in the swing arm rather than using a press....I don't have a press but than would have to drop them off of days at a bike shop to be pressed in. MikesXs is GREAT and they do list some procedures on their site but a YouTube how to on some of these parts would be a huge help.

[crazypj22]

You don't need a press, use some 1/2" threaded rod and a few big washers to draw them in

[Chuckwagon]

I forget which board it is on, but you'll need to find a german to english translation for the directions, which are all in german. There are no english instructions provided by Mikes, which was a major dissapointment given what you have to pay for a set. very few of his US customers speak german, so english instructions would be nice. Do a google search for xs650 needle bearing kit instructions and you should find the thread. It isn't a difficult procedure, but knowing which way things are to be installed is always good.

The only trouble I had (lack of understanding of german language aside) was getting the swingarm back into the frame. I had to go back and make sure the bearings were completely pressed in (mine weren't) and that all powdercoating was removed on the frame surface where it butts up against the bearings.

Haven't road tested them yet, so can't speak to that issue.

[ShakerNorm]

ca.babelfish.yahoo.com/ Babelfish (for any of you who read the Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy, you'll recognize the name) is Yahoo's translator - it should do a whole web page pretty decently - of course it will probably sound like a badly translated Japanese manual.... but it's only a computer.......

[Chuckwagon]

Here's a thread that has links to several resources (a German's translation to english, photos, etc.) that will help you get the job done.
It isn't difficult, you'll find. The threaded rod washers and nuts is the cheap and effective way to go to press the bearings in.
650rider.com/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2160

[ShakerNorm]

OK - I found them - but they are really tough to understand (Bablefish is far from a perfect translator), so I'll go over them and see if I can clarify them..... since I've already done the process.....

OK - here goes....

Fitting instructions
Swingarm needle bearing kit installation instructions

Note – If you have to change your chain or gears, this is the perfect time to do it!

1. Loosen the following nuts and bolts:
a) chain tensioner
b) Axle nut
c) lower shock absorber mounting bolts
d) brake rod bolt
e) Swing arm pivot bolt nut

2. Remove rear wheel, chain, brake rod and shock absorbers, pull out the pivot bolt and remove the swing arm.

3. Remove both bushings by driving them out with a long drift (or other means – torch method works, too)

4. Install the swing arm bearings in the swing arm, 2 bearings per side, but install them one at a time. A plastic or dead-blow hammer works, but a press is best. A long piece of all-thread with nuts and flat washers also works well with no chance of damaging the bearings.
Make sure to install them in the right position and not to damage the bearing casing (outer race)

5. Grease the bearing well using a good quality bearing grease

6. Grease the inner sleeve and fit it into the swingarm bearings (yeah it will be a tight fit in there – it’s supposed to be) and put one of the flat axial bearings on the right and left side each (Grease everything well before fitting)
Caution: the grease seal lip should be on the swing arm side, not the frame side

7. Install swing arm into your frame and tighten the Swing arm pivot bolt nut to 22-30 ft/lbs (30-40Nm)
REMEMBER: if your chain doesn’t have a split link, put your chain around the swingarm BEFORE you put the swingarm in (yup – been there! Had to take it all apart again too…..)
Check swing arm for axial clearance and adjust with spacers delivered in the set if needed (I actually had to spread the frame a little to get mine in)
Caution: Do not tighten the nut too tight

8. Install rear wheel, chain, brake rod and shock absorbers exactly inverse to removing. Torque everything to spec.

9. Check chain tension.

10. Sit back in your chair, admire your work and yourself and have a cold one (or a dozen) OR (preferably) Take the bike out for a test ride and enjoy NOT having a hinge in the middle of your bike!

[garyr]

Thanks shaker norm

[garyr]

FYI: Installed the needle bearing kit......HUGE improvement over bronze bushings. Zero play in swing arm and it moves freely.

Ever so slight light play with bronze bushings.

[krash]

Do yourself a favor and while the swingarm is off the bike for the needle bearing install drill and tap the center portion of the swingarm for a grease fitting. Then you can simply hit it with the grease gun occasionally and not have to worry about pulling the swingarm off to clean and lube the bearings ever again. -C

[Burns]

One of these kits is in the mail to me from Mikes right now. Looking for installation instructins found this thread, which bois down to this:

4. Install the swing arm bearings in the swing arm,
2 bearings per side, but install them one at a time ..
.Make sure to install them in the right position

Thanks for this great leap forward from the German lanuage original but can anyone tell me what "the right positon" for these bearings is?

Thanks.

BTW, I've moved from the quasi-desert of South Texas to quasi-rainforrest of the Puget Sound. Rain-gear advice anyone?

[preston]

PS..
in case it pertains..
As I recently re- installed my swing arm...
tricks i learned ...
Take off chain guard ( first)
let the two rears shocks, support the swing arm, with small screw drivers in the lower hole ( so swing arm can move about)...
and with the front of swing arm, up toward the carbs... Come from above the frame-holes , and drop the swing-arm down into place, slowing alineing it up,, a little hair at a time,,
be sure the outer rubber grease ring-seals, are in, and facing the correct way (ie seal oil toward the swing-arm) ..
There may be easier ways, but this worked for me.
preston