|
Post by wayne on Jul 16, 2012 22:50:59 GMT -5
Are there any alternatives out there for the stock swing arm bearings ?
Needle rollers ? Brass or Bronze ?
Any insights appreciated.
Wayne
|
|
|
Post by pmcburney on Jul 17, 2012 18:57:51 GMT -5
Wayne,
I picked up a set of beautifully made brass outer bushings for my GT750 a while back from a guy in the UK. I'm certain they made a noticeable difference compared to the stock nylon jobbies.
They even came with a machined drift to knock them in without damaging them.
I'll dig around and find the seller.
Cheers Paul
|
|
|
Post by Jess on Jul 17, 2012 19:24:19 GMT -5
With a small lathe and some time, ANYONE can make some very nice bushings that will far outperform the crappy nylon stockers...
I have made several sets over the years. I don't stock them as the material cost is just too high.
The last set I made (no machine time) was 70 dollars US just for the high grade bearing bronze.
As always, there will be folks that don't care what the item costs as long as it is the best. They are few and far between.
It is not cost effective for me to make ten sets (700.00 in material) to have them sit on a shelf.
Maybe there are some hobbiests out there that will step up and make some for others. I would, but time is by far my most precious commodity.
Just my 2 cents...
|
|
|
Post by wayne on Jul 18, 2012 2:49:50 GMT -5
Thanks Jess and Paul. If I had a proper lathe, I might have a go. But mine's a bit of a toy good for making odds and ends but nothing that requires real tolerances.
Paul, I'd be really interested in your source. Let me know.
I have the spare swing arm sitting around and might get it down to the frame guy to have a look at bracing in the next few weeks. But braced or not, it will benefit from good bearings so they are a definite requirement.
Thanks Wayne
|
|
|
Post by re5martin on Jul 28, 2012 7:34:12 GMT -5
i obtained a well prodced set of bearings from a guy that produced them for the uk kettle club they even came with a drift for knocking the bearings in cost about £25.00 including uk postage i got his details from the uk based rotary owners club . martin
|
|
|
Post by mike500 on Jul 28, 2012 10:08:32 GMT -5
i just found this on the web about a needle roller conversion for the gt750 The good news is that according to the INA catalogue, an INA SC1412 full complement needle roller assembly, including outer race will do the job. bad news is that they are no longer listed, but Torrington (Timken) list that same sized bearing as a B1412.
They are 1.125 inch OD, 0.750" wide and the shaft diameter is 0.875" which is a couple of thou less than the sleeve diameter in a stock GT750 suspension.
Of course when I pressed them in I managed to slightly damage one and in trying to get that out I managed to damage its partner.
Of course the bearing spacer has to go in after one side is done, otherwise it cannot be fitted after the bearings are in place.
OK, so we now had a pair of 3/4" wide needle rollers in each side, but the swingarm needs thrust washers at the end, so the old plastic bushes were sawed off, leaving about 2 to 3mm of the old sleeve. When they were pressed back into the ends of the swingarm we had thrusts.
Next, on were new steel thrust washers from Bikebandit.com along with new inner sleeves, O rings and re-plated end caps.
|
|
|
Post by wayne on Jul 28, 2012 15:10:02 GMT -5
Thanks Martin and Mike. I'll chase up the off-the-shelf bearings through the ROC. Sounds interesting- possibly the same ones that Paul used.
I have been interested in needle rollers. I also own a GS750 but was too lazy in the past to pull it all apart and compare and unfortunately don't have the GS at home at the moment. That sounds like a project for the longer term for me or chasing up the bearings you mention Mike.
Thanks, Wayne
|
|
|
Post by mike500 on Jul 28, 2012 18:46:42 GMT -5
same here wayne i own a gt750 and a gs1000 so wen i get time i will try the conversion
|
|
|
Post by wayne on Jul 29, 2012 0:33:06 GMT -5
You should add your shed to your signature Mike.............I'm envious, the GS1000 is such a nice bike.
|
|
|
Post by mike500 on Jul 29, 2012 7:04:44 GMT -5
like this wayne
|
|
|
Post by wayne on Jul 29, 2012 7:27:44 GMT -5
Some nice machines there, a couple from my wish list...........gamma, CBX........yum !
|
|
|
Post by mike500 on Jul 29, 2012 7:55:09 GMT -5
this is the 14th gamma i have owned bought first 1 brand new in 86
|
|
|
Post by wayne on Jul 29, 2012 8:09:34 GMT -5
I have a friend with 9, and I thought that was glutinous !
I rode one recently when I swapped my RE5 with another rider. Riding through some sweepers on the Gamma at the same speed I was doing on the RE5 was like being in slow motion- it was so capable. Wonderful bike and so tractable for what it is.
|
|
|
Post by mike500 on Jul 29, 2012 8:24:50 GMT -5
mine is stage 3 tuned and 570 big bore its mental lol
|
|
|
Post by pmcburney on Jul 29, 2012 17:22:24 GMT -5
i obtained a well prodced set of bearings from a guy that produced them for the uk kettle club they even came with a drift for knocking the bearings in cost about £25.00 including uk postage i got his details from the uk based rotary owners club . martin Wayne, Apologies for my tardiness about this. I'm sure I dealt with the same guy as described above. Very well engineered stuff - highly recommended. BTW, if you want info on how to modify the existing swingarm, have a look at this particular 'article'. It's GT750-specific, but you should be able to get some ideas out of it - the GT and RE swingarms are pretty much the same design. Cheers Paul
|
|