Swingarm play

[viper]

Hi All,

I have a 2003 DL1000 when doing my pre ride checks ,I have noticed very slight movment from side to side on the swingarm. The manual does not say anything about free play as to whether it should or should not have free play.
It has not increased since I spotted it, I did call the motorcycle dealer today who went to check 2 new V Strom's he had in the workshop, he did say they both had slight play in them as well so would say that is how it should be. I ask because the bike feels like it's weaving at the back.

Anyone come across this before,

Thanks

[Juvecu]

I'm sure the swingarm should have no play at all. The bearings are well protected on these so they don't usually fail. In fact, when mine was removed they were looking as new as the ones I were about to replace them with. With that in mind, it might be worth just making sure that the fasteners that hold the swingarm in are done up the way they should be. There should be a procedure in service manual for this. IIRC you first tighten something that presses against a bush to a relatively low torque, then you tighten a nut to fairly high torque to hold it in place properly. You need a special tool for this, but it's an easy job. You'd want to have the back wheel off the ground and unloaded if you can, centre stand is ideal for this, not a paddock stand though.

[Jacko]

I would have thought play in the swing arm would affect handling and fail an mot, in the same way as play in the head bearings would. You don't want any unpredictable movement in any part of the chassis.

[greywolf]

It's normal to have about a millimeter of play. Whether people find that acceptable or not is a different story. I do. They are caged needle bearings so the play does not affect bearing slop, unlike ball or tapered roller bearings.

[Locky]

A mm of play where ? end of swing arm ?

[greywolf]

It's lateral play at the swingarm pivot. 1mm may be a tad more than actual, but there is enough to detect movement if pushing the front of the swingarm back and forth with the bike on the center stand. A bit of a search indicates 0.5mm may be more typical.

[tallpaul]

Lateral play at the pivot is float, which is different to the glap of a worn bearing.  Or am I misunderstanding the OP?

[viper]

Have been in the garage tonight checking things out  have not found any loose nuts or bolts, will be making the special socket tomorrow so I can check they are at the correct torque.
Thank you for your input blokes.