Mudflap rubbed swinging arm.
- Thread starter UKLee
- Start date
Yes seen it before on other bikes and much like the side panel rubs the shock reservoir. Makes it worse on the stark because it is much more ridgid than other bikes and ribbed causing these grooves, I dare bet others have it just difficult to see because the tyre is very close I only saw it because I was pulling the linkages apart to greece.
Also could not get the swinging arm out because the spacer on the sprocket side seems to be sitting partly inside the hole that the swinging arm bolt goes through with the pinch bolt. No doubt I could have got it out if I slackened all the bolts holding the side plate/ drive train but I saw there was already plenty of greece in the linkages so assume the swing arm bearing will also be ok.
I believe the EX will have a different swinging arm with more tyre clearance, remember when we got these bikes with an 18 inch wheel we had to fit a tooth less front sprocket to create some clearance between tyre mudflap/swingarm.
After 51 hours of almost only motocross except from some enduro turn track, I think that my swingarm doesn't have that issue, even though there is a spot in the center which is different from the surrounding area because of the casting molds I guess and I'm note sure whether it's worn.
I've removed my swingarm just by pulling it out, even though it wasn't easy, just like it wasn't easy to put it back in.
Here is a video of those spacers and of how to get them out (I don't remember having seen spacers like these in my other bikes):
Their sides are flat and so are their mating surfaces:
IMO the amount of grease in the linkage and swingarm bearings (and in the steering stem bearings too) was neither plenty, nor too little: just the right amount.
It seems to me that those seals work and I haven't found any water intrusion, nor rust in the bearings.
I've removed my swingarm just by pulling it out, even though it wasn't easy, just like it wasn't easy to put it back in.
Here is a video of those spacers and of how to get them out (I don't remember having seen spacers like these in my other bikes):
Their sides are flat and so are their mating surfaces:
IMO the amount of grease in the linkage and swingarm bearings (and in the steering stem bearings too) was neither plenty, nor too little: just the right amount.
It seems to me that those seals work and I haven't found any water intrusion, nor rust in the bearings.
My swinging arm has slightly raised areas in line with the outer edges of the mud flap where there are slight rub marks which looks intended but the center area does not look right. I am assuming the rubbed area is hollow which is why I am concerned, if it were a big solid lump I would not be concerned. Easy enough to take the 2 bolts out and slide the mud flap back to get it off to see clearly.
I have had all the swinging arm, frame side plates and drivetrain apart before when I replaced the drivetrain but did not notice that spacer in the video. Maybe that needs to come out with the swinging arm bolt and did last time.
There are two spacers on the left and two on the right and actually you should push the component sandwitched between them like shown in that video to get them out. They can't stick to the swingarm shaft when you slide it out.
Here is a representation of how they are assembled:
