Swingarm play

[jay66]

I have an 81 GS 1100 E and the other day when I had it up on the center stand I noticed that there is a little back and fourth play in the swingarm bushings. Not alot but I can move the back wheel back and fourth about an 1/8 of an inch maybe a little more. I know there isn't supposed to be any play. Would taking it apart and repacking the bushings with grease do any good or should I start looking for a new set. No Suzuki dealers around here either.

Jay

[80GS1000]

Better safe than sorry, order up a new set from www.bikebandit.com or www.flatoutmotorcycles.com

[jay66]

Parts bandit has them for a 81 GS 1100EX would these be the same as a 81 GS 1100 E ?

Also do they come as a pair or do I need to order 2 ?

[80GS1000]

Yeah, those will fit your bike and you need to order two. Make sure you grease them well and retorque the pivot bolt to spec.

[SPARKSS]

I have an 81 GS 1100 E and the other day when I had it up on the center stand I noticed that there is a little back and fourth play in the swingarm bushings. Not alot but I can move the back wheel back and fourth about an 1/8 of an inch maybe a little more. I know there isn't supposed to be any play. Would taking it apart and repacking the bushings with grease do any good or should I start looking for a new set. No Suzuki dealers around here either.

Jay

Howdy Jay....Definately time to pull that apart and put in new needle bearings and maybe the journals they ride on. If your's is the same as my 79 GS1000, then the bearings are TA2530Z and can be got through most bearing supply houses (check your phone book). There is also a seal at both ends of the swingarm shaft tube....I replaced mine but really there was nothing wrong with either one - there being very little rotary movement in this area anyway.

[bonanzadave]

Hey Jay, I did mine last summer and it was.....................an adventure. I wont bore you with the details but let me suggest
1) A good place to work (tools, light, air conditioned) I did mine when it was way too hot and humid.
2) A jack or a lift. Dont trust the center stand.
3) Take your time.

Mine had a long bushing (tube) between the bearings inside the frame. I used it as a drift to knock out either bearing. Youll find some people have a real time with this and have to go caveman on them. Lots of hammering and prying. Mine were pretty easy. Good luck.

[first timer]

Go To Autozone Or The Like And Rent/barrow One Of Their Bearing Puller Slide Hammer Deals And A Fitting That Will Slide Inside The Bearing, Expand And Catch The Bearing On The Lip From The Inside.

This Will Make Short Work Of The Job Also Use Plenty Of Heat To (just Don't Melt Anything) Help Free The Bearing As Well As Reinstall It. Put The New Bearings In The Freezer For A Hour Or So And Heat The Swingarm Bearing Area And The New Bearings Will Slide Right In. Should Have The Bearings Done In 2hour Doing It This Way.

[the_journeyman]

I'll second the heat suggestion! Heat is your friend! I've used heat to remove many a stuck item when working on bikes ~

The freezer idea works too ~

JM

[jay66]

Thanks for all the help.:-D