Bushes, not bearings?

[Benstyle]

After literally bashing out the swingarm pivot bolt I've discovered there are no bearings or rollers, just two hefty bronze bushes in place of everything else that should be there. It's a 78 GS750 and the swingarm is stock. Any ideas on why someone would do this?
If anyone has tried one of the Dresda swingarms on my model I'd like to know how it went because it's looking like an attractive option.
Ben.

[GregT]

Nothing wrong with properly done bronze bushes as the swingarm pivot - provided there's some way of greasing them.
As to why - a P.O. probably priced OE bearings and had access to a lathe.

Why an aftermarket arm ? It should be possible to either replace with OE bearings or another set of bronze bushes.

Greg T

[Benstyle]

The inside of the bushes are wrecked thanks to sitting for 7 years with no movement and drilling them out looks like the only option for the same reason. If bearings etc go in and everything is tight then that's ok but if the tracking and steering is affected then it's new swingarm time.

[GregT]

The bronze bushes will have been pressed in most likely - shouldn't be particularly tight. The easiest way to remove them should be to use a long drift and drive them out. If the PO knew what he was doing he won't have altered the arm in the area where the OE bearings seat so you still have the option of OE bearings or bushes again.
Unless there's other damage to the arm which you've not stated I can't see any reason to replace it.
Finding this sort of thing in older bikes on our side of the world (I'm in NZ)
is not uncommon as the price of OE parts can sometimes be horrifying. I'd imagine that finding someone locally to machine up new bushes won't be too hard if you want to go that way.

Greg T