MK3 Swingarm TIMKEN bearing conversion

Just stripped out my swingarm to replace the above conversion only to notice that the swingarm has been heavily modified to accept the conversion. The bearings are TIMKEN 07087x 99403 kit, still available in the UK, but replacing them involves the stripping of the primary each time that the bearings need replacing.

Does anyone else have this modification, is it any better or longer lasting than the original set up? the cost of a new swingarm may mean I need to wrestle out the outer races and replace with new, if not a new swingarm will be sought. The existing swingarm has been machined to accept the outer race and had the the hole where the spindle passes through made smaller so a new bush will not fit, only the spindle, it is a massive difference visually in diameter. Cost of conversion back to standard may also be unworthwhile cost wise compared to new as well.

If that swing arm is straight then I would just replace the bearings. I've yet to put any mileage on mine but I had it modified for needle bearings. Although the stock setup might be sufficient I suspect all modern bikes use bearings for a good reason.

If they have provision to be adjusted, and are sealed and there is provision for them to be greased, then they may last a good while.

BM's use tapered roller bearings in the swingarm, and they are good for hundreds of thousands of miles.
Provided that they are kept adjusted, sealed and greased, and NEVER run dry.....

I likewise have a swingarm with the needle roller conversion.
No shaft though - anyone know what it looks like ?
Or just use the stock item ?

Madnorton said:

Just stripped out my swingarm to replace the above conversion only to notice that the swingarm has been heavily modified to accept the conversion. The bearings are TIMKEN 07087x 99403 kit, still available in the UK, but replacing them involves the stripping of the primary each time that the bearings need replacing.

Does anyone else have this modification, is it any better or longer lasting than the original set up? the cost of a new swingarm may mean I need to wrestle out the outer races and replace with new, if not a new swingarm will be sought. The existing swingarm has been machined to accept the outer race and had the the hole where the spindle passes through made smaller so a new bush will not fit, only the spindle, it is a massive difference visually in diameter. Cost of conversion back to standard may also be unworthwhile cost wise compared to new as well.

Click to expand...

I'd love to see pictures of the setup.

Thanks for the replies, to grease the nearside bearing the primary has to come off - not ideal. I will take some photos and get them uploaded. The problem with the set up looks like that the side to side (lateral) play is only taken up on one side as the adjuster mechanism needs sit against the end of the spindle, as it moves independent of the swingarm in theory. If the adjuster for the bearings sets both the bearings correctly then noting should but against the spindle then obviously there will be lateral play as the swingarm moves, with the inner bearings along the spindle. The adjuster is not attached to either the spindle or the swingarm and thus I believe the issue. It was done by an engineer that the owned and sold me the bike, now abroad, I believe that he designed it to fit and work but the ability for adjustment was not fully understood when it was done. The bushes for the swingarm to cradle are not used with this set up.
It has always been an MOT advisory over the years as there is detectable play in the swingarm.

You might need to pin that spindle in a few additional spots...
Edit: I see the MK3 has that taken care of.

Here are some photos as requested, I have read the guidance hopefully they are visible. You can now see the problem, the adjustment spindle with the end caps will adjust the bearings, but seeing as the adjustment spindle is independent from the swingarm spindle, the whole lot will move relative to the swingarm spindle.

I notice the pictures are cropped, I will have a look at this and try and resolve.

You could use some spacers (thick washers) that are just slightly smaller in diameter than the main spindle, and drilled to fit over the long adjustment spindle, one on each side of the main spindle. If sized properly, that would limit any side-to-side movement of the swing arm.

Kem

Thank's just what I was thinking, I will give it some time and see what results I can achieve. I should be able to assemble it in the swingarm to check and then fit to the cradle to check also before final assembly.

It doesn't need a thrust washer but the spacers/outer rings that come with them can be nicely sized for use as hardened spacers.

Search for thrust bearing on ebay

an example

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Thrust-Ball-B ... 51b5f35054

Taper roller bearing in the S/A surfer from a similar problem to that of the steering headraces, they do not revolve round 360 degrees so wear in a small position. For prolonged life, turn round the bearing cups about every 20K.