Re: Fixing leaks at the swinging arm
Michael A. said:
Can some of you guys who have worked on the swing arm of a Mk2 with the grease fitting on the RH side explain what is involved to stop a leak at this point?
What's leaking? Maybe some RTV needed around the nipple?
My MKII has the MKIIA style swingarm, which has Welch plugs pressed into the ends and no nipple. Oil is retained in felt plugs that fit into the spindle bore and wick to the bushings via felt discs. The only way to remove the plugs is to destroy one (right side) with a drill hole and pull the plug with a slide hammer. Many people install an oil nipple before reassembly, but it's not OEM on the MKII's I've seen.
Specifically, can the o-rings (which I assume are the cause of the leak) be replaced with the arm basically in place? The factory manual is not clear on this, they address it in the context of removing the power unit and the swing arm.
The swingarm can be removed easily after pulling out the spindle. Wheel off, and shocks removed of course. There's a retaining bolt (1/4" fine thread) on top of the cradle tube that must come out first (rather inaccessible but doable).
The spindle is accessible from the right side after removing the end cap. Easier if the footrest and kick lever come off first. The spindle has 1/2-20 threaded holes in the ends, you screw a bolt in and yank. If the spindle isn't corroded it should slide right out.
Whatever is inside there (o-rings, felt plugs) depends on the build date on your bike. Mine was made 8/74