Swingarm conversion using bronze bushings? Thoughts?

[LeeJackson]

Hi Guys

Just trying to figure out the best way to take up the 2mm between the 16mm swingarm pivot on the Zed 1000J frame and the 20mm in the ZRX or Zephyr swingarm (can't figure out which to use yet). Be been looking at bearing options etc and I'm not thinking about using Oilite Broonze bearings between the standard inner races and the standard swingarm pivot. Has anyone tried this or any thoughts on it? I will swap the roller bearing for one with a 16mm ID so it will hold everything in line still and basically put oilite bronze bushings inside the length of the inner race spacer tube.

The standard spacers remain on the outside leaving a small gap around the pivot, but won't move anywhere. Can probably get some new ones machined to give a 16mm centre.

Any thoughts? Is there an easier way to do this that will eliminate the bushings? I'm thinking the bushings will work just fine but wanted some other thoughts on this

Thanks
Lee

[Al]

As an alternative you could always ream out the steel sleeves in the frame to 20mm
If you do, be sure to get them exactly in line, as in 'line ream' them!
Mine is a zephyr swingarm but essentially the same front cross tube as yours.
I think it was a ZRX 20mm spindle that i used but was gifted to me from a member on here so not certain.

Page 2 of this thread.

http://www.z1ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vie ... c&start=15

AL

[tlc]

I just used a sleeve in the swingarm. Yes J type bolt is 16mm and my XJR spindle was 20mm I think. It's fairly simple to make a sleeve.

The advantage is that if you decide to change things you haven't altered the frame.

[Jumbo]

This is what I used:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STEEL-PRECISI ... xyDEVSch9b

[LeeJackson]

Thanks for the input guys, I do prefer the idea of not modifying the frame, so will look at the sleeping option, have ordered some bronze bushings and some precision tubing.

When you sleeved yours did you sleeve the whole length of the swingarm including through the roller bearing or did you Change the roller bearing to a smaller OD to hold the sleeve and inner races together? I'm thinking either way it can't go anywhere but struggling to find a bearing 16x43x12, nearest is 13mm wide so will probably mean having to modify the circlip retaining groove?

Cheers
Lee

[tlc]

Lee.
My choice of an XJR swinger was made after a conversation with Morten from Norway. The existing bearing tube was as you say 20mm. I took the arm to the local bike shop and had the necessary 6mm taken off either side. This was done in stages to ensure the correct fit between the frame rails. This needs to be done when the crankcases are in to be sure that the frame doesn't close up once tightened.
The sleeve had some 2mm wall steel tube inserted to check for a good fit. This was then removed and the original bearing sleeve cut in half. 12mm was taken out of it and then once put back over the 16/20 tube was welded. The reason for doing this is that the sleeve has hardened surfaces for the bearings. You could not simply take off 6mm either side as then the needle bearings would not be fully supported by the sleeve.

[LeeJackson]

TLC, thanks this is good info! I had not considered the frame closing when the crankcases are in. It looks like th J swingarm is slightly wider than the older Zeds so it appears for now that the spacing is bang on the money, but I will fit the crankcases and tighten it up to be sure...

The ZRX and Zephyr arms have a roller bearing on the left side that hold everything in place, so slightly different I'm thinking from the XJR. I will need to think a bit more on what to do with it..

Cheers
Lee

[Al]

Mine is an early 750 Zephyr arm and only has the plain one piece full width spacer/ bearing tube and two standard needle roller races running directly on it.
There is no ball roller bearing on the early ones.
There is a 1mm thick combined; bearing seal / thrust bearing for want of a better word at each end.
The inner tube (bearing inner race) is pinched between the two steel bosses welded into the frame.
It would be a doddle to sleeve this down internally to 16mm and you dont have to be particular about the exact length of the internal sleeving.

AL

[LeeJackson]

Hi Al, yeah the Zephyr arm I have is the 1100 and is very similar to the ZRX setup, which must be different from the 750. I'm going to just run a sleeve the length of the arm through the roller bearing and inner race sleeve, like you say it doesn't have to be exact as the rest is held in place by the frame bosses, so should be just fine.

Thanks
Lee

[tlc]

Have a look at this link.

http://www.z1ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vie ... hp?t=37073

[LeeJackson]

TLC, link doesn't seem to work

[mick znone]

TLC, link doesn't seem to work

link does work Lee, unless you are using firefox, that engine does not link the links.

[mick znone]

or try this straight link. http://ariesmotorcycles.com/kawasaki-z1 ... -arm-swap/

[LeeJackson]

Perfect guys thanks!