Swing Arm removal
 

Alright technical types. I'm resurrecting an older 748 & need to take the swinging arm off. Previous owner ran the bike with the eccentric 180deg out & I think the chains been gnawing at the arm. It's also incredibly manky & I get perverse joy from digging about in all the goo that accumulates behind front sprocket.
Removal of the bolt from the RHS was easy enough but the spindle cum sleeve with the big Allen head was seized. Application of a monster lever got it turning but no way can I get it to move sideways. I assume it's stuck in the bearings.
Short of assaulting it with a big hammer & drift or slinging half a bike in the back of the car & heading for the engineering shop does anyone have any ideas ?
Help !

Robbie :(

do a search for "swingarm" on the old board (link on main page) there is some very helpful advice.

hope this helps

Get a Nonda!

Robbie, I had a similar problem with mine a couple of years back.
A big drift and a hammer will come in useful :o, but the thing I did was to get a hold of some 12mm or 14mm threaded bar and some long bits of stout tubing, steam pipe is good.
I then used it as a draw bar, through the center of the pivot, to put lots of pressure on the pivot and then drift it out. Tightening it as the pivot moved.
It's not easy. It took me about 2 hours!!

Excellent idea Nelly ! I think there may be some threaded rod in the shed too. I've got my old man turning up a sized drift on his lathe but I may try this first.:roll::roll:

If you've got turning capabilities, I have the Ducati drift I could measure up for you.
Pretty self evident though, but if you need the dims, let us know.

Hah ! Ducati make a drift.:mad:That rather suggests they know the things seize but dont bother making with the grease anyway.
Anyway I faked up a puller type thing as you suggested & have managed to move things maybe 4mm or so. Have left the tension on overnight & will hit it again tomorrow.
Am slightly concerned as bike went down on RHS at Knockhill & I worry things may be a little twisted in the frame department. We'll see.;)

In my opinion, it's not a case of the spindle seizing, I beleive they actually miss shape over time. I measured mine for run out after a long removal process and it was basically bent. Get a new one when you get it out!

swing arm
 

had the same problen on my 996 after i crashed it , the axle was bent! had to saw it off in the end

Saw it off :o eek. How do you saw through a swing arm spindle ?
I put loads of tension on the draw bar affair tonight & it eventually just snapped ! Spindle still sitting there immobile. Wonder if there's a hydraulic press locally (unlikely). Am starting to get a smidgeon discouraged :(

Well it's finally out !
Tried heating (nope), freeze spray (nope), belting it with sized drift (nope) & eventually called mechanic friend who produced portable hydraulic press thing he uses to pull bits off combine harvesters etc when they break down out in fields. That wasn't deep enough to go from one side of frame to the other so we slung the thing in the back of his van. Back at his garage (the most southerly one in Scotland) he drilled it out enough to weaken the spindle then tipped the engine & chassis on it's side & slapped it into a 10 ton press. It only needed 8 tons of pressure to come out so that's all right. :o
Back home today I see that the needle rollers in the drive side are completely knackered. Rusty & solid with crap that's got past the seals. Spindle is now scrap too so I'll replace the whole lot & fit a hugger.
Might I humbly suggest to those of you with time on their hands over the winter that removing your bike's swinging arm spindle & slathering the ******* in grease might save a lot of grief later on. If you get stuck I know a good man with a press who can help.;)

Isn't that a bit over the top just to fit a hugger?:P:rodent:

Glad you got it out in the end. Just did mine on the race bike, but because the engine comes out fairly frequently, the spindle slid right out.

[Edited on 15-1-2004 by Felix]