repack/adjust swing-arm bearings

[Nails]

Thadbaker86voyager recommended that I check the swingarm bearings. Looking at the book, that's a bit of a chore involving a special Socket Wrench Holder:

Remove the following.
- Travel Trunk and Bracket
- Saddlebags and Brackets
- Rear Wheel
- Final Gear Case

Man, I don't wanna go through all that. How do you guys really do this? Since the bearings are in the swing-arm, I reckon it really needs to come all the way off. How about if I just want to make sure it isn't loose?

[cushman eagle]

I do that when I grease the front spline,once shortly after I got the bike which had 22,000 miles on it and winter service,2016/2017 at about 65,000 miles.I use a torque wrench to tighten up the allen screw,mark it's position, then torque the lock nut,if the allen did not move,I am done.It did not move either time,so I called it good.Just to correct the torque you would not have to remove the wheel or gearcase.My swing arm bearings were very well lubed from the factory and had no reason to relube them.

[Thadbaker86voyager]

Just check tension on set screw on right side of swing arm. Just rule out it being loose. Mine was not doing anything and was sloppy loose. I was doing drive shaft and had everything apart so just did everything while I was that far into it. Was huge difference riding it after tightening it up!!

[Nails]

Loren, thanks a lot -- those front splines are something else I need to do. ;)

I 'spose now you're going to tell me that I should actually look at the Periodic Maintenance Chart!

(Looks like I'll have a plenty long to-do list for next winter.)

[Thadbaker86voyager]

It actually sounds like a bigger job than it really is. I had the slight vibration in the left foot peg intermittently. Turned out the drive shaft u-joint was missing 4 needles in one of the crosses!! Joint was apparently serviced at some point by previous owner and they lost them! Seals were good, bearings were too. I had a parts bike with a good driveshaft so just swapped that one in after cleaning and repacking the u-joint.

[Nails]

Thanks. I don't actually have any issue back there -- balancing PM with "if it ain't broke...". I plan to catch up on ALL the maintenance next year. This year, the bike has been off-line too long already.

[Thadbaker86voyager]

Lol! I hear you on that, and the riding season always goes WAY to fast!