Swingarm maintenance -87 FJ

[WIFJ1287]

Approaching 30K..never been into the bushings/bearings..
on the rear arm. Do i just do the shake test or should I take it
down and inspect /regrease.
Any
Tips, Opinions? Feel free.

[mz_rider]

Approaching 30K..never been into the bushings/bearings..
on the rear arm. Do i just do the shake test or should I take it
down and inspect /regrease.
Any
Tips, Opinions? Feel free.

The service interval for greasing the swinging arm & suspension linkages is 2 years/16,000 miles. My experience is that the swinging arm bearings are well sealed and don't need much attention. The suspension linkages have 7 needle roller bearings and these should be serviced. Grease can be washed out and the bearings and sleeves can corrode. If you wait until there is play in the suspension the damage will be done. I usually grease the linkages when I remove the swinging arm to fit a new endless chain (4 years/20k miles or so) It is fairly simple to strip down. The only tricky bit is removing the bolt holding the suspension rocker to the frame. It will be fouled by the exhaust collector box. To get the bolt out remove the bolt between the collector and the frame and lever the collector down a little to get the bolt out. 

Stuart (Glasgow, Scotland)

[rktmanfj]

The service interval for greasing the swinging arm & suspension linkages is 2 years/16,000 miles. My experience is that the swinging arm bearings are well sealed and don't need much attention. The suspension linkages have 7 needle roller bearings and these should be serviced. Grease can be washed out and the bearings and sleeves can corrode. If you wait until there is play in the suspension the damage will be done. I usually grease the linkages when I remove the swinging arm to fit a new endless chain (4 years/20k miles or so) It is fairly simple to strip down. The only tricky bit is removing the bolt holding the suspension rocker to the frame. It will be fouled by the exhaust collector box. To get the bolt out remove the bolt between the collector and the frame and lever the collector down a little to get the bolt out. 

Stuart (Glasgow, Scotland)

+1

The bearings in my '89 linkage were in pretty sad shape, and so all are getting replaced.

The relay arm is getting the grease fittings it should have had all along, too.

Randy T
Indy

[WIFJ1287]

Thanks MZ/RK  I took it down to the arm so far. No play in the main arm.
Im guessing it takes a little hammer rap to bring the arm out which
Ill attempt tommorrow. It doesnt want to just slide up and out so far.
It looks like Ive got a lower set of needle bearings in the shock relay
arm which my Haynes shows as bushings.

[mz_rider]

Thanks MZ/RK  I took it down to the arm so far. No play in the main arm.
Im guessing it takes a little hammer rap to bring the arm out which
Ill attempt tommorrow. It doesnt want to just slide up and out so far.
It looks like Ive got a lower set of needle bearings in the shock relay
arm which my Haynes shows as bushings.

This is the suspension parts page from the FJOC

http://www.fjcatalogue.com/bearing.html

I think the diagram in Haynes (p5-20) is an FJ1100. Yamaha seems to have replaced the bushes on the 1100 with bearings on the 1200. (My bike is a '91)

Stuart

[rktmanfj]

Somewhere amongst the rubble here, I have a NOS FJ1100 relay arm...         

Randy T
Indy

[racerman_27410]

Thanks MZ/RK  I took it down to the arm so far. No play in the main arm.
Im guessing it takes a little hammer rap to bring the arm out which
Ill attempt tommorrow. It doesnt want to just slide up and out so far.
It looks like Ive got a lower set of needle bearings in the shock relay
arm which my Haynes shows as bushings.

loosening the rear engine mount bolts helps with getting the swingarm out,


Kookaloo!

[WIFJ1287]

Ahh! that makes complete sense...thanks..I will do that.

[Yamifj1200]

Somewhere amongst the rubble here, I have a NOS FJ1100 relay arm...         

Randy T
Indy

Oh really?

Eric M

[Pat Conlon]

The relay arm is getting the grease fittings it should have had all along, too.

Hey Randy, now that's a great idea!   Why just the relay arm?
Are you going to drill and tap for some zerk fittings?  Take some pictures for us. I am interested in where you plan to put the zerk fittings so as not to foul the range of motion on the linkage, and yet still be able to get to them with a grease gun.....

This sounds like a very simple yet worthwhile mod... Cool beans.

[rktmanfj]

The relay arm is getting the grease fittings it should have had all along, too.

Hey Randy, now that's a great idea!   Why just the relay arm?
Are you going to drill and tap for some zerk fittings?  Take some pictures for us. I am interested in where you plan to put the zerk fittings so as not to foul the range of motion on the linkage, and yet still be able to get to them with a grease gun.....

This sounds like a very simple yet worthwhile mod... Cool beans.

I need to get back over there and work on it... kind of a bitch not having a garage.

Ever get to that point in a relationship where you know you need to break up, but you just hate to give up that garage?   

I'm gonna get the arm blasted and powdercoated before I start working on it.  I'll get pics.

Eric, do you need the 1100 relay arm?

Randy T
Indy

[Yamifj1200]

"Eric, do you need the 1100 relay arm?"

Not at the moment Randy. In fact I have not had anytime to mess with either FJ since last Sept. I have been back to work since late November and I'm trying to get over the med changes and dealing with the hell hole I work for. Warm weather is approaching and I will make some time to get both bikes ready for riding season. I will drop you a line if I end up needing it. Thanks...

Eric M

[FJ Flyer]

Sad to say, I've never serviced the swing arm bearings in 15 years and almost 120K miles.  No issues and includes all weather riding.   

I have greased the needle bearing on the lower shock mount.

[WIFJ1287]

That lower takes the beating for the most part.  I had one damaged inner lower bearing bush
and two relay arm bearing seals that were bad at 28K. I flushed and repacked everything.
The main arm bearings looked great.
I still think Ill end up with a few replacement lower bearings eventually
as they showed minor wearing.

[Mark Olson]

that is one of those every two years deals, pull it all down and grease everything .