SWINGARM BEARINGS GONE AT 33000KM

[plumber02]

hi lads I'm only just back from a 2000k trip around the north and east coast of Ireland , the strom didn't miss a beat what a bike , only that my swingarm bearings are gone and I've only had to do the head stock bearings a couple of weeks ago , to me this isn't normal on a big road bike with only 30000km up,  anyone with the same problem??? also where is the best place to buy them in the UK ??  thanks in advance

[obalanga]

mine went at 28k miles if that is any comfort

[kwackboy]

Blimey ..  . Checked my Swingarm and all is OK .. I'm at 30k miles .

Seems unusual you'rer bearings have gone at such low mileage?

[plumber02]

also first time I've ever seen a plastic or teflon bearing cages in the head stock of any bike , fu%kin raleigh grifter years ago had better bearings than that, also mine is in euro's that's only 18600miles and this thing has never seen a wet day  ,

[greywolf]

The cage is only to keep ball bearings properly positioned. There is no load on it. The suspension bearings are usually good for at least 50,000 miles. Here's an article on replacing them. http://www.vstrom.info/Smf/index.php/topic,13643.0.html

[plumber02]

swingarm bearings are gone not the linkage they're OK , are there not any seals on those relay arm bearings ???? ( pics from last post )

[greywolf]

The swingarm bearings are the same type, caged needles. There are no seals. They are very low speed bearings and they rely on the grease pack to repel water and shielding by the frame to limit water. Since the bearings are at each end of a tube, unsealed and low speed, you can put a grease fitting in the center of the tube and use a grease gun to force grease from the inside of the bearings out to the outside. It will take a lot of grease as the entire tube must be filled and there is a bit of a mess created as the excess leaves the swingarm ends, but the bearings will last practically forever if greased regularly. Grease fittings can be used with needle bearings only if placed between them, not on them.

[Hondaman]

What age & bike?
Moisture is normally the biggers killer of bearings ie power washing, a periodic regrease will make them last, some manufacturers specify this as a service item.

[joderest]

As GW says.
Why on earth arn't grease nipples fitted these days, to remove the swing arm to grease bearings is a bugger of a job, was going to do mine this summer, but got beaten at the start because exhaust has welded it self together.
Any way, no play or noise at the moment.

[plumber02]

2008 1000 with 18000miles - hondaman , has anyone got the bearing sizes or numbers , would I get away with cleaning up the old collars and using new bearings ???? ( looking through ebay all that's there are the bearings )