Swingarm play

[ItchyOxter]

Finally got round to stripping the rear swingarm/linkage for cleaning and re-greasing. Bearings and seals all looked in good condition, cleaned and re-greased but upon reassembly (before fitting rear wheel) have noticed a very subtle bit of play when lifting the swingarm (nothing from side to side). Feels like a tiny bit of play at the top of the linkage which I assume will disappear when the bike takes its own weight. Anyone come across this? Bike is a roady with only 11500 miles.

[AvgBear]

Originally Posted by ItchyOxter

...have noticed a very subtle bit of play when lifting the swingarm.
Feels like a tiny bit of play at the top of the linkage which I assume will disappear when the bike takes its own weight.

Mr. Haynes say: "There should be no discernible movement -- no discernible freeplay."
If all fasteners checked and correctly tightened (and movement still exists?) -- then worn bearing/s exist and must be replaced.

[benebob]

I just took mine apart a few weeks back for the same thing.  No play at all before I started or after but I did find about 1/3 of the needles in the left side of the swingarm were completely gone so I would tend to think that you may want to go back thru and check again.  Is your play on both sides of the swingarm?

[Londonglide]

Originally Posted by ItchyOxter

Finally got round to stripping the rear swingarm/linkage for cleaning and re-greasing. Bearings and seals all looked in good condition, cleaned and re-greased but upon reassembly (before fitting rear wheel) have noticed a very subtle bit of play when lifting the swingarm (nothing from side to side). Feels like a tiny bit of play at the top of the linkage which I assume will disappear when the bike takes its own weight. Anyone come across this? Bike is a roady with only 11500 miles.

Are we talking about the swinging arm individually, or the arm and linkage, or the arm, linkage and shock?

[romanrick]

You may find it's play at the top of the shock where it's bolted to the frame which should not be a problem, as above, find exactly where the play is before spending any money.