Linkage bearings

[seb421]

Recently rear end has started making a chinking noise when i go up the small kerb to put the bike in the garage, its when the rear wheel moves over the kerb and compresses up slightly whilst moving

Have a feeling they are a bit shot now, what tool do i need to remove and refit bearings?



also wheel bearings need replacing on the wheels front and rear, would i need the same tool for it? do you need a tool at all or just a screwdriver?


also what's the best type of bearings, i let that V-Twin place in Horwich do them last time, think he put sh1t ones in, its only done 7,000 miles and they are wombles also on the stand in neutral the rear used to spin freely when the bike was running, with the bearings he put in there is a fair bit of resistance to move the wheel

what bearings should i get to sort this out? sealed, non sealed etc

[sirch345]

Seb, if the suspension linkage is making a noise like you say, you want to get it done asap before it looks like this:-


No real special tools required if it comes apart reasonably well, although some have carefully needed to use a Dremel type tool very carefully to remove the outer needle roller bearing case(s) from the suspension linkage if they don't, but you'll only find that out once you start to take it apart. You will need to suspend the rear end though if you didn't already know. While you're at it, it would be a good idea to check over and re-grease the swingarm bearing as well, but that means raising up the rear end can't be done using the swingarm pivot bolt ends. There's quite a bit on this job in "The Workshop Knowledgebase"

Same for the wheel bearings, no real special tools required, just a good drift. The front ones are more difficult than the rear, as the spacing tube between the two wheel bearings won't move over so much, allowing your drift much area for it to catch on. Each bearing needs to be knocked out from the inside by gaining access for each bearing from the opposite side of the wheel. Once one bearing has moved (hitting it with the drift at 180 degrees points alternately so the bearing and oil seal come out level) you will be able to move the spacer tube over giving you more purchase with your drift.

Here's a link for the wheel bearing part numbers so long as you still have the Firestorm wheels fitted:-
http://www.vtr1000.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=20563

Yes they are meant to be the sealed type.

Don't forget to check the sprocket carrier bearings while you're at it.

Chris.

[seb421]

Seen that picture and that's what has got me worried mate!

i would take it to a shop to do as I cant be arsed jacking it to the ceiling again and striping it apart again

just i have a major distrust in other people taking the care that i would over my bike.

i know i use it every day as a work steed, but i still love it and don't want it scratching mistreating


Last guy some Russ person at Bolton Motorcycle Workshop who i paid a large sum of money to for work, didn't fix my bike and the engine was shot a few weeks later!

Only guy that's been spot on ive used has been that D. Hill Mobile mechanic, and he's gone missing off the face of the earth no one knows where he has gone or anything.


what is a drift mate? sorry to sound thick ive no experience with doing this type of work, and thanks for the reply bud.

[Steve6088]

I've had my Linkage bearings off a couple of times now and greased them. Paranoid of them seizing up as I've had to hack saw the old linkage off. If your struggling I don't mind having a look at it.

[seb421]

I've had my Linkage bearings off a couple of times now and greased them. Paranoid of them seizing up as I've had to hack saw the old linkage off. If your struggling I don't mind having a look at it.

sweet as mate, Where about in Manchester are you at?

Give us a PM with times your free etc, i will order the bearings in and give you a shout

Cheers,

- Edit , or do you think i / we should have a look before ordering them, might they just need grease up or you think they will be fooked

[Steve6088]

If they were as bad as mine you might need to get a whole new linkage second hand of ebay. But might just need new bearings and/or greasing, I cant really advise what is the norm.

I have got a few tools in Manchester but all my stands for jacking my bike up with are at my parents house in Chester (used them to change the shock at the weekend). I could do it some time other this long weekend if Chester is not too far away for you.

[sirch345]

what is a drift mate? sorry to sound thick ive no experience with doing this type of work, and thanks for the reply bud.

A drift is anything really that will drift (shift) your old bearings by hitting it with a hammer. I use a piece of 3/8" (10mm) mild steel bar for removing old wheel bearings. You could use your screwdriver, but if it has a plastic handle it will mean the shock needed from the hammer will not be transferred to the bearing to get it moving, unless you have one of those screwdrivers where the steel shaft goes all the way through the plastic handle.

If you are having a go at the wheel bearings yourself, make a note of how far in the oil seals sit before removing them. To fit the new bearings I cut the outer ring off the old bearing using an angle grinder and holding the bearing in a vice. This is ideal for knocking them in, but make sure you knock them in square by hitting the old outer ring evenly all the way around. What you're trying to do is to drive the bearing in the same amount all the way around, if one side of the bearing goes in further than the opposite side it will jamb.

Don't forget to re-fit the spacer tube before fitting the second bearing, you might laugh at that suggestion, but trust me it has happened before by one member on here.

Chris.

[seb421]

is this a full kit for doing the linkage ?



http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/vtr_1 ... nky_glide/

[Stratman]

is this a full kit for doing the linkage ?



http://www.wemoto.com/bikes/honda/vtr_1 ... nky_glide/

No, that's the full set for doing the swinging arm.

[russracer]

Seen that picture and that's what has got me worried mate!

i would take it to a shop to do as I cant be arsed jacking it to the ceiling again and striping it apart again

just i have a major distrust in other people taking the care that i would over my bike.

i know i use it every day as a work steed, but i still love it and don't want it scratching mistreating


Last guy some Russ person at Bolton Motorcycle Workshop who i paid a large sum of money to for work, didn't fix my bike and the engine was shot a few weeks later!

Only guy that's been spot on ive used has been that D. Hill Mobile mechanic, and he's gone missing off the face of the earth no one knows where he has gone or anything.


what is a drift mate? sorry to sound thick ive no experience with doing this type of work, and thanks for the reply bud.

Hi Seb,

The thing is though, you booked in for a Grade2 service on your Firestorm with no mention of any problems with the bike.

When I stripped the bike down, it had new air filter, new spark plugs installed, reasonably fresh oil & filter replaced, carbs balanced (which were spot on) etc etc.

Upon carrying out the service, I noted the bike didn't "pickup" on the throttle like it should. When you came to collect the bike - we had a chat about it.

When I said to you all the service items were newly fitted, you said "yeah I've just fitted them to try to get it running right" .

This is where the problems start for me, when someone rings up & would like to book in for a service, they receive a service (I brought it to your attention that wasn't running how it should do & it would need further investigation).

It's not an uncommon encounter though tbh, people do get confused between a "service" or a "repair". If you had booked the bike in for a specific complaint, "paid a large sum of money" for work that wasn't sucessfully completed then you'd have a case for slagging me & my company off.

I have never even received an email from you, If say for instance I had been in your position - I'd have been straight on the phone...

The moral here is, there's two sides to every story.

Also it's funny how I still "service" your Dads Fireblade every year without complaint

[russracer]

I am sorry to other people on here for dragging up an old post - but I take criticism seriously