Tecate Westcoast Swingarm

[Paule]

I have a Westcoast swinger off an 84 Tecate and I bought a stock swingarm bearing kit for an 84 Tecate and the bearings seem to be too large. The outside diameter of the TA2030 bearing measured at 26.8mm and the inside of the Westcoast swingarm was 25mm. I thought I kept one of the old seized bearings, but I must have tossed them. Anyone have an idea what bearing I should be using? Already screwed up one bearing, but if it's the only $30 I'm throwing away on this restore so far I can live with that. Any ideas?

[tecat-z]

Oem's should work with that arm. Moose also makes a pivot bearing kit for them. Actually the same ones mojave's take. Make sure you have the outer race completely removed. It would be a thin steel shell. Sometimes the bearing cage will rot and allow the needles to fall out and the shell will still be in the arm. Check with a magnet to be sure you have all of the steel removed.

[Tekawte1]

I agree with Tecat-z.. and would like to add that i fund that "All balls" bearings are the same brand as moose brand.. FYI

[Dirtcrasher]

Yeah but it's a Westcoast. Needle bearings can have really weird sizes, Lots of times the local bearing shop cannot get you them. I tried getting some years ago for an RM250 and they were like 22.8mm OD yet a standard width and bore.

Call a bearing shop and give it a shot, sounds like you have some measuring equipment, hopefully the bore in the swinger is good and true.

[Paule]

Thanks for the reply.

It's 2mm smaller on the inside of the pivot tube than the OEM bearing, the diameter is stepped down inside the pivot tube. The outside section of the tube is (26.4mm), while the inside or middle shrinks 1mm to (25.4mm). The width of the 25.4mm section is the same width as the oem bearing. I have a cheap caliper which measures the oem bearing ar 27.4mm.

I went to a large bearing supplier and they didn't have anything that would fit.I was thinking I would have it machined to the stock bearing size.

Another board member has verified that he has seen this on the WestCoast and AllBall's AL from the other board said the OEM's would not fit.

Here's a sneek peek

http://milehighink.com/Misc/sm057.jpg
http://milehighink.com/Misc/sm060.jpg

[250rulzes]

You need to scrap the replacement bearings and go with xsystems bushings. These fit in the westcoast swinger and are virtually maintenance free.

[wizzard]

Had the same problem and had the swingarm machined. The xsystems idea sounds good too, but I don't know much about that.

[Dirtcrasher]

Had the same problem and had the swingarm machined. The xsystems idea sounds good too, but I don't know much about that.


I like roller and needle bearings in suspension conmponents. They move too much for composite or oil impregnated bushings IMO.

I too would machine it, very easy to do on a mill and hopefully you could get a normal needle bearing in there if you check sizes beforehand.

[mike from long island]

Must be different model westcoasts?I just installed OEM Needle bearings into my Yamaha Tri-Z Westcoast.They fit perfectly.I have 2 other westcoast swingers as well.One I used X-systems polly bushings in and the other I havent done anything with it yet.

Where you able to get the correcty bearings?