swingarm needle bearings and powder coating

[dfocht]

Do I need to remove the swingarm needle bearings before blasting and powder coating or can I just leave them in there and put a rubber cork or tape on each end?

Thanks!

[GateKeeper]

always cover or remove that what you don't want powder coat on, this includes the bearings as you mention, as well as threaded holes, fill the threaded holes with old bolts if you can or plug them, same goes with the bearings, seal it up and if you remove bearing you have to cover up the recess they sit in, otherwise they will not go back in.

[hampshirehog]

Ask your powder coater. They can have problems when baking the powder on and the grease in the bearings melts and runs out, ruining the finish. Best thing to stop this on a swinger is to pop a long threaded bar through and a big washer and nut on each end - with silicon underneath the washer to help make the seal. And wash the bearings out beforehand with white spirit to get the grease level down in the first place. Don't forget that you have to keep the blast grit out as well.

[slapper]

I second that too, and if possible put old bolts of correct threads in all threaded holes before blasting and any unthreaded holes a piece of plastic pipe cut to match e.g. fork yoke clamps... remove them before powder coating and threads can be re-tapped and holes can be sanded and a bit of smooth hammerite on the bare sanding works great...powder coating can be thick....

What Hampshirehog says is exactly what i did mainly for the steering stem housing of my bikes...

hope that helps

[Flyboy]

Remove and replace the bearings, it makes no good sense to go through the trouble of refurbishing and putting old bearings back, its a no brainer.

[hampshirehog]

Remove and replace the bearings, it makes no good sense to go through the trouble of refurbishing and putting old bearings back, its a no brainer.

It's often the case though Stan that the bearings have 100k left in them and I, being a tightwad, hate chucking anything away unless it's knackered.

[dfocht]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll remove them and buy new ones.

[MK3Brent]

I'd leave them in for the coating process, then remove them and replace. (If you have the right tools and don't damage the coating.)
Definitely find out what temperatures they're curing at. Like posted already, you don't wan the bearings coming apart or anything. But you definitely want to keep the substrate they're spraying out of these holes.

[Ton1959]

I was thinking about leaving ther bearings in and change them after the powdercoating. But I changed my mind and removed them before the powdercoating.
And I was happy that I did it the right way as they didn't like coming out at all so if I had done it the other way I would have to redo my powdercoating.
And I will just use a threaded bar with some washers and nuts to close of the holes. And some old bolts in the other holes.

[crackerman]

I'd leave them in for the coating process, then remove them and replace. (If you have the right tools and don't damage the coating.)
Definitely find out what temperatures they're curing at. Like posted already, you don't wan the bearings coming apart or anything. But you definitely want to keep the substrate they're spraying out of these holes.

I'd take them out before so you don't scratch up the swingarm. I just did mine before I had them blasted and coated. I had a hell of a time getting the old ones out and woulda scratched up the coating. You'll def want to remove and replace as blasting will get sand/glass all in the bearings that will be tough to get out.

Install of the new ones was pretty easy if you freeze the new bearings.

[chuck hahn]

I would also be concerned about any residual grease dripping out as they bake..that wouldnt be a good thing.

[teddy]

hello, the best solution is to replace the old bearings and put new bearings.
put the old ones do not make much sense, because it could be damaged and create damage.
have you already changed the bearings? what brand you bought?
I have advised boca bearings (www.bocabearings.com/) because they have all sizes and do not cost much.
looking in the forum but I also saw omnia beraring (www.omniabearings.com/bearings/needle_bearings/), which for the needle bearings should be the best, but I do not know this area well.

[Grimly]

http://www.bocabearings.com/bearing-info/contact-boca-bearings

Teddy eh, fancy that.