Question on 250ES Big Red or 250SX Swingarm install.

[ClayW]

Guys I just pulled a bent swing arm off my 87 BIg Red and Replaced it with a good one. The only trouble I had was with the Pivot Bolts that go thru the middle of the swingarm bearings. I tightened the left down and then tightened the right down. As I tightened the right down the swing arm slid to the left and the gap between the swingarm and frame got very close/ tight. The gap on the right got bigger. Much Bigger. With it like this the swingarm binds up. I think I have it pretty close but I think it could be better. Bike drives fine. Is there a trick to installing these bolts. What I ended up doing is gettting the gap equal on each side and then I installed the lock ring on the right and tightened it down. Is this the right way to do it or do I need to go back into it and do it differently. Let me know If you have some tips on this. THanks

Clay

[atcmatt]

Id say what you have done is right Clay. Not too sure though. Im glad you got it in and have been riding it. Have you got any pics?

Matt

[ClayW]

Hey Matt,

Im in Louisiana right now at my parents house, but will be back in Georgia tommorow night. Hopefully monday I can get all of my goodies on it and take some pics. Dont worry I will post some pics when I get it finished. Hopefully I did that swingarm right. I followed the Honda Service manual to the Tee. Im just glad I got that bent axle and swingarm off. Drives much better, and doesnt lean to the left now. That was agrivating.

Clay

[ClayW]

Anyone have any ideas at all on this. Some input would be nice. I know some of you guys have installed swingarms on these before.

Clay

[Dirtcrasher]

That left or "fixed" pivot journal just sits against the Timken bearing and into the outer race which you pressed in the frame. The right threaded pivot bolt threads into the swingarm and then again presses against the bearing into the frame. There are no other spacers to swap around. You could have a worn out left journal ( the one welded to the swingarm). You must tighten that right bolt to about 18lbs (I think) for the proper preload on those tapered bearings - too much will wear them out and not enough results the same way. I knock out those inner caps, plug the holes and insert grease fittings in all my SX ATC's.

[ClayW]

Thanks for the input. I believe thats what I did. The bearings looked great so I re used them. I do have a new set for backup down the road. Thanks again. Cant believe it took a month to get a response from someone. I really appreaciate it.

Clay