swing arm

I want to service the swing arm on my 74 850 mk11a i just bought. The right side has a freeze plug but no grease fitting. How do I grease the bearings ? Do I use oil or grease? ? Thank You. Ride Safe.

MIKEYG said:

I want to service the swing arm on my 74 850 mk11a i just bought. The right side has a freeze plug but no grease fitting. How do I grease the bearings ? Do I use oil or grease? ?

Click to expand...

Your Commando has the "sealed for life" pivot assembly.

EP 140 oil would be the specified lubricant and not grease.

THANK YOU L.A.B

Do not use grease. It will plug oil holes in the bushings.
I am not familiar with your bike but earlier models call for EP 140 oil. If you cannot get EP 140 oil, I have had success with heavy oil additives such as Lucas oil additive. To fill you could drill a small hole and pump oil in with an oil can, then reseal the hole with a sheet metal screw and a nylon or fiber washer if it is a sheet metal frost plug. If it is thin plate you could thread the hole and seal with a small bolt and washer.
Better yet, get the correct parts, but use a small bolt instead of the original fitting.
Personally, I would assume that someone has tried grease sometime in the bikes life and pull the plug to have a look. If grease was ever used the lube holes will be plugged. If so, the only solution is to pull the swing arm, pull the bushings, clean everything up, replace any worn/corroded parts and reassemble.