GREASE YOUR SWINGARM LINKAGE!!!

[glockman]

Everyone has those little maint tasks that get overlooked. I have been guilty of not lubing swing arm and linkage bearings or head set bearings as often as I should. Well, my son's 250f was squeaking like a newlyweds mattress so I told him to get some grease on them sooner than later. I got a call at work asking how hard they should be to get out. This is what I found when I got home. I think they are toast. Not only were they a bitch to get out, the link is badly worn. He has only had this bike a little over a year so most of this damage was there when he bought it. I'm a firm believer in Mechanical Karma so I am thinking the PO should probably run out of gas on the back side of sand mountain sometime. Anyway, just a reminder that $0.50 of grease is cheaper than $175 of bearings and new linkage.

 

[Tonkaman]

ooh nasty! better to find out at home in the garage than stranded behind sand mountain

 

[rholbrook]

I plan on pulling mine out this winter. From the factory, Yamaha never uses much grease

 

[Gravy]

I did mine earlier this year because it was a bit squeeky and they were full of grease. then they squeeked again... I guess I need new bearings?

 

[Greg]

After all the recent mud/water rides, I need to make sure my swingarm bearings have good grease! Thanks for the reminder...

 

[Rot Box]

Good call. Linkage is right up there with rear shocks being the most neglected items on a dirt bike. Another reason to ride an ATK--you don't have to deal with that linkage nonsense

 

[UNSTUCK]

Why are those kinds of comments always limited to newlyweds? Going on 11 years, my beds still squeaks now and then.

 

[anderson750]

I plan on pulling mine out this winter. From the factory, Yamaha never uses much grease

KTM uses the least amount of grease on new bikes than any I have ever seen. When I bought my new 300 in April and my boys 65 last December, the first thing I did was strip them down and grease all the bearings. The steering stem bearings were practically dry in both bikes.

 

[jentzschman]

Good call. I best be checking mine now.

 

[glockman]

Thanks you Unstuck. I literally laughed out loud then read your comment to my wife and we both laughed again.

Luckily I found a used linkage on eBay for $25.
I'm tearing my 450 and the TTR apart this week. Thought I should follow my own advice.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Vonski]

jeeper doesn't have to worry about this... just keep doin' your thing man.

 

[Vonski]

KTM uses the least amount of grease on new bikes than any I have ever seen. When I bought my new 300 in April and my boys 65 last December, the first thing I did was strip them down and grease all the bearings. The steering stem bearings were practically dry in both bikes.

Yup, I do the same thing with my new bikes.

 

[Tonkaman]

jeeper doesn't have to worry about this... just keep doin' your thing man.

Ha ha its a 2 stroke, why would it need maintenance?

 

[jeeper]

I haven't even been in this thread, and yet you make fun.


However, I am going on 11 years without greasing..