TT250 swingarm lube

pyoungbl · 01-01-2017, 06:56 PM

On a rainy day it's prime time to do garage stuff. Checking the swingarm on my TT250 sounded like a good idea. This is a new bike so I'm just establishing a baseline. The CSC tutorial is perfect, take a look and you know exactly what needs to be done. I'd rate this as a 1 hour job.

OK, the swingarm and shock pivot point are not needle bearings. They are all bushings. Mine had some grease so I just added a bunch more. More is better in this case. The factory had done a decent job, I just added more and gained a bit more confidence in the the bike.

While I was at it, I took both the swingarm bolt and the axle bolt over to my lathe and added a center punch so now I can accurately measure the swingarm to axle length.

Peter Y.

2LZ · 01-01-2017, 09:22 PM

Mine varied from "some" grease to "almost none". Good idea to do this project when it's a no-ride day.

Weldangrind · 01-02-2017, 03:27 PM

I like the center punch idea. Did you punch both ends of the swingarm bolt?

pyoungbl · 01-02-2017, 05:24 PM

Weld, yes...both ends. The axle already had a center punch on the threaded end, I only had to do the bolt end. Now I can accurately measure to make sure the swingarm bolt and axle bolt are parallel.

This homemade tool makes measuring a snap once you have the center punch in each axle.

I have done the same mod to my RX3.

Peter Y.

Weldangrind · 01-03-2017, 11:00 AM

My next question was going to be about the best way to measure between the swingarm bolt and the axle, but you answered that for me.

OUTERLIMITS · 01-03-2017, 11:24 AM

I would go with something like this. Very simple and you could take it on the trail with you if need be. They are made by a couple of different companies, Motion Pro being one of them.

Sullybiker · 01-03-2017, 11:49 AM

You can also use a ruler (metal one is best, but any will do as long as it is stiff and straight).

Position it against the inside of the side plates on the rear sprocket at about 45 degrees upwards, then gently rotate the tyre and see where it lines up on the chain as you move it toward horizontal.

pyoungbl · 01-03-2017, 08:03 PM

I think we have about 100 years of experience with getting the chain aligned so whatever works for you is OK with me. My method works best for me in the garage, on the road I'll use the Mark 1 eyeball.

Peter Y.

'16 TT250 · 01-03-2017, 10:08 PM

Once torn appart, any reason to not add zerks so you can give it an occasional shot easily? I haven't looked into the swingarm at all so no clue how easily this could be done.

**JerryHawk250** · 01-04-2017, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '16 TT250

Once torn appart, any reason to not add zerks so you can give it an occasional shot easily? I haven't looked into the swingarm at all so no clue how easily this could be done.

I would and I have.

Gives me a peace of mind knowing it is greased up. Beats the hell out of pulling the swing arm bolt to grease it and most of the grease gets wiped off when you reassemble. Fill it till it just starts to ooze out.

BlackHawk · 01-04-2017, 02:49 PM

How about some pics and more info on how/where you installed grease zerks. My swing arm was dry as the Sahara when I pulled it and I really like the idea of being able to hit it with the grease gun.

**JerryHawk250** · 01-04-2017, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackHawk

How about some pics and more info on how/where you installed grease zerks. My swing arm was dry as the Sahara when I pulled it and I really like the idea of being able to hit it with the grease gun.

Drill, Tap and install grease zerk. use a bottoming or plug tap if you don't want to remover the swing arm bolt. Dip the drill bit and tap with grease to collect the metal shavings. The tap is on the bottom for easy access of grease zerk.

BlackBike · 01-04-2017, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Drill, Tap and install grease zerk. use a bottoming or plug tap if you don't want to remover the swing arm bolt. Dip the drill bit and tap with grease to collect the metal shavings. The tap is on the bottom for easy access of grease zerk.

Pic didn't work on my end

BlackHawk · 01-05-2017, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JerryHawk250

Drill, Tap and install grease zerk. use a bottoming or plug tap if you don't want to remover the swing arm bolt. Dip the drill bit and tap with grease to collect the metal shavings. The tap is on the bottom for easy access of grease zerk.

Thanks, Great Idea!
This just went on my mods list!

Emerikol · 01-06-2017, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sullybiker

You can also use a ruler (metal one is best, but any will do as long as it is stiff and straight).

Position it against the inside of the side plates on the rear sprocket at about 45 degrees upwards, then gently rotate the tyre and see where it lines up on the chain as you move it toward horizontal.

Stiff and Straight... I think they make a pill for that!

01-01-2017, 06:56 PM	#1
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	TT250 swingarm lube On a rainy day it's prime time to do garage stuff. Checking the swingarm on my TT250 sounded like a good idea. This is a new bike so I'm just establishing a baseline. The CSC tutorial is perfect, take a look and you know exactly what needs to be done. I'd rate this as a 1 hour job. OK, the swingarm and shock pivot point are not needle bearings. They are all bushings. Mine had some grease so I just added a bunch more. More is better in this case. The factory had done a decent job, I just added more and gained a bit more confidence in the the bike. While I was at it, I took both the swingarm bolt and the axle bolt over to my lathe and added a center punch so now I can accurately measure the swingarm to axle length. Peter Y.
	5

01-01-2017, 09:22 PM	#2
2LZ Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Volcano, Ca Posts: 7,065	Mine varied from "some" grease to "almost none". Good idea to do this project when it's a no-ride day. __________________ "Light a fire for a man, and you heat him for a day. Light a man on fire, and you heat him for the rest of his life." 2007 Suzuki DRZ400S (SM convert) 2009 Q Link XP 200 1967 BSA B25 250cc Starfire 2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 2023 Royal Enfield Scram 411 1948 Royal Enfield Model G 350
	0

01-02-2017, 03:27 PM	#3
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	I like the center punch idea. Did you punch both ends of the swingarm bolt? __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

01-03-2017, 11:00 AM	#5
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	My next question was going to be about the best way to measure between the swingarm bolt and the axle, but you answered that for me. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

01-02-2017, 05:24 PM	#4
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	Weld, yes...both ends. The axle already had a center punch on the threaded end, I only had to do the bolt end. Now I can accurately measure to make sure the swingarm bolt and axle bolt are parallel. This homemade tool makes measuring a snap once you have the center punch in each axle. I have done the same mod to my RX3. Peter Y.
	2

01-03-2017, 11:24 AM	#6
OUTERLIMITS Join Date: Oct 2015 Posts: 75	I would go with something like this. Very simple and you could take it on the trail with you if need be. They are made by a couple of different companies, Motion Pro being one of them.
	0

01-03-2017, 11:49 AM	#7
Sullybiker Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Western PA Posts: 363	You can also use a ruler (metal one is best, but any will do as long as it is stiff and straight). Position it against the inside of the side plates on the rear sprocket at about 45 degrees upwards, then gently rotate the tyre and see where it lines up on the chain as you move it toward horizontal.
	1

01-03-2017, 08:03 PM	#8
pyoungbl Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portsmouth, Virginia, USA Posts: 632	I think we have about 100 years of experience with getting the chain aligned so whatever works for you is OK with me. My method works best for me in the garage, on the road I'll use the Mark 1 eyeball. Peter Y.
	2

01-03-2017, 10:08 PM	#9
'16 TT250 Join Date: May 2016 Location: Hacienda Heights, Ca Posts: 281	Once torn appart, any reason to not add zerks so you can give it an occasional shot easily? I haven't looked into the swingarm at all so no clue how easily this could be done.
	0

01-04-2017, 02:49 PM	#11
BlackHawk Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Tennessee Posts: 11	How about some pics and more info on how/where you installed grease zerks. My swing arm was dry as the Sahara when I pulled it and I really like the idea of being able to hit it with the grease gun.
	1