swing arm bearing upgrade

I'm replacing the old bushings with needle bearings in the swing arm. I found a place to buy and entire kit with a new bolt, bearings and dust seals. Unfortunately, although I thought I saved the site, I can't find it again. Anyone know a place to get the upgraded kit? The bike is an 82 seca 550. Thanks

 

I don't know about the 550 but Mikes has those kits for the XS650.
http://www.mikesxs.net/mikesxs-suspensi ... ory_id=6.3
Maybe All Balls has them?
http://www.goallballs.com/Suspension.asp?page=SAK

 

Chacal carries them. I've just purchased a set along with a blind bearing removal tool from Harbor Freight. I'll try to remember to take pictures.

 

SWINGARM PARTS:


sa2) Over the years, the swingarm Bearings and pivot shaft parts take a beating....when was the last time you (or anyone you know) ever lubricated them or even checked them for wear and play? Well, wear they do, and then they start moving around under load and cornering, leading to vibrations, wandering during straight-line riding, and othe unnecessary, unneeded, unwanted, and undesirable (not to mention unsafe) characteristics and conditions. Wow, that a lot of "un's". Oh well.

We've got all the major and minor parts that you'll need to refresh, restore, rejuvenate, renew, and other properly rebuild your oft-neglected swingarm system.


XJ550 models:

XJ550 models use a long pivot Bolt, that runs through a central pivot Tube, which is support by a pair of Bushing-Bearings, each of which are retained by use of a Thrust Shim and and Thrust Cover Plate. The whole shooting match is held together by a Nut that threads onto the right side of the pivot bolt.

HCP2234 OEM swingarm central PIVOT TUBE. For all XJ550 models, use 1 per bike.
$ 65.00

HCP2235 OEM swingarm central pivot tube BUSHING - BEARING. For all XJ550 models, use 2 per bike.
$ 13.00

HCP2234 OEM swingarm PIVOT SHAFT. For all XJ550 models, use 1 per bike.
$ 44.00

HCP2236 OEM swingarm pivot bushing - bearing THRUST SHIM. For all XJ550 models, use 2 per bike. Each:
$ 6.00

HCP2236 OEM swingarm outer THRUST COVER PLATE. For all XJ550 models, use 2 per bike. Each:
$ 12.50

HCP2236 OEM swingarm pivot shaft RETAINING NUT. For all XJ550 models, use 1 per bike on the right end of the shaft.
$ 6.50



HCP1690 Aftermarket swingarm complete REBUILD KIT, contains all the major parts that you'll need to not only refresh the swingarm, but also upgrades from the original bushing - bearing to roller needle bearings. Includes fine instructions, but they're in German. Hmmm. Contains the central pivot Tube, four needle roller bearings, and the two Thrust Cover Plates. For all XJ550 models.
$ 109.00

 

You might have found it on Old Bike Barn. They have the kit there for 550s.

 

Old Bike Barn sure is expensive!

 

Does the needle roller kit work that much better than the bushes?

 

The swing arm does not use bushings in the stock configuration my friend. And of course it goes without saying that any bearing is better than a bushing.

***Edit by Robert. I am in error and was corrected by one of our resident experts. The 550 does indeed use a bushing rather than a bearing (seems down right silly to me). Please disregard my first assertion. It is true only of shaft drive models. Thanks.***