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The need for a new chain and sprockets, as well as rear tire, while also replacing the shock, prompted me to go deeper and check all the rear suspension components, including the swing arm bearings.
41k on my bike, and living and riding in the general vicinity of Seattle with the attendant wet riding frequency, I thought it prudent and time to do a thorough inspection of all components. This was also prompted by the fact that I picked up a KLR250 a few months back with the intention of teaching my daughter to ride on it. In the process of going through everything on it, I had to heat and beat the living daylights out of the rear axle, swing arm bolt, and suspension arm bolt in order to get them out. They were that bad. Corrosion everywhere from lack of maintenance, and all bearings needed replacing.
I wouldn't normally swear a blue streak on this or any other forum, and I'll try to refrain from doing so now, but what a #%$#^&$ PITA this task is on this bike!!
In order to remove the suspension arm, the center stand has to be removed. So now the rear is elevated by a jack under the engine.
In order to remove the swing arm, the entire exhaust system has to be removed. Oh, and if you have the oem c-stand, it can't be deployed while doing this. Yes, I wiggled and tried it 6 ways to Sunday, but it doesn't go. So then you have to elevate the bike with the jack again, while swinging the c-stand (you know, the one that you just reinstalled) back out of the way.
The good news is, the swing arm bearings were in good shape, and I greased the living daylights out of them prior to re-installation, and I won't worry about them again until 100k miles, unless I start doing a bunch of water crossings.
Only one of the dogbone bolts had any significant corrosion on it, and it and everything else cleaned up well. I didn't feel I had any parts that needed replacing. I added a significant amount of marine grease to all needle bearings and they should be good for a number of miles.
The other good news is that, if I can still remember what I did when I roll 100k miles on this bike, it will be a lot easier and faster next time. I better go update my notes.
Knowing what I now know about the condition of the swing arm in particular, I wouldn't worry about it until 50k miles unless you're riding through streams and such a lot. The rest of the rear suspension components I would check and re-grease much sooner, probably by 25k at least. If you change your own tires, it's not a big job to take it a step further while the wheel's off.
41k on my bike, and living and riding in the general vicinity of Seattle with the attendant wet riding frequency, I thought it prudent and time to do a thorough inspection of all components. This was also prompted by the fact that I picked up a KLR250 a few months back with the intention of teaching my daughter to ride on it. In the process of going through everything on it, I had to heat and beat the living daylights out of the rear axle, swing arm bolt, and suspension arm bolt in order to get them out. They were that bad. Corrosion everywhere from lack of maintenance, and all bearings needed replacing.
I wouldn't normally swear a blue streak on this or any other forum, and I'll try to refrain from doing so now, but what a #%$#^&$ PITA this task is on this bike!!
In order to remove the suspension arm, the center stand has to be removed. So now the rear is elevated by a jack under the engine.
In order to remove the swing arm, the entire exhaust system has to be removed. Oh, and if you have the oem c-stand, it can't be deployed while doing this. Yes, I wiggled and tried it 6 ways to Sunday, but it doesn't go. So then you have to elevate the bike with the jack again, while swinging the c-stand (you know, the one that you just reinstalled) back out of the way.
The good news is, the swing arm bearings were in good shape, and I greased the living daylights out of them prior to re-installation, and I won't worry about them again until 100k miles, unless I start doing a bunch of water crossings.
Only one of the dogbone bolts had any significant corrosion on it, and it and everything else cleaned up well. I didn't feel I had any parts that needed replacing. I added a significant amount of marine grease to all needle bearings and they should be good for a number of miles.
The other good news is that, if I can still remember what I did when I roll 100k miles on this bike, it will be a lot easier and faster next time. I better go update my notes.
Knowing what I now know about the condition of the swing arm in particular, I wouldn't worry about it until 50k miles unless you're riding through streams and such a lot. The rest of the rear suspension components I would check and re-grease much sooner, probably by 25k at least. If you change your own tires, it's not a big job to take it a step further while the wheel's off.
