My CB750F SS swingarm

MB-5 Joined: Aug 11, 2018 Posts: 11 Location: NV

Although this is the general chit chat section, please allow me this question.....I just acquired my 1980 750F, clean and I love it before I've even got it running. That said, some rust on the tire side of the swingarm prompted me to remove it for gloss black powdercoating. SO, I get it back, it's beautiful but one of the needlecages is damaged and missing 3 needles. Yes someone screwed it up but that's not my question. I have new complete bearings coming soon. HOW DO I GET THE DAM OLD RACES OUT ??!! Any ideas/procedures would be so appreciated! Banging on it with a giant screwdriver and steel mallot has got me nowhere! Thanks in advance...

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 10:57 am

I have used a Dremel with a cutting wheel to slice a notch in the race. It might take a couple wheels and be careful on how deep you are going.
It will weaken it enough and/or provide enough flex to remove it.

I have also seen a clip of using a tiny grinding wheel for the same purpose.
Some pics in this ADV thread. https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/r1150gsa-swingarm-bearing-race-needs-removing.910919/

MB-5 Joined: Aug 11, 2018 Posts: 11 Location: NV

smurdoch wrote:

I have used a Dremel with a cutting wheel to slice a notch in the race. It might take a couple wheels and be careful on how deep you are going.
It will weaken it enough and/or provide enough flex to remove it.

I have also seen a clip of using a tiny grinding wheel for the same purpose.
Some pics in this ADV thread. https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/r1150gsa-swingarm-bearing-race-needs-removing.910919/

Thank you, I'm on it!

Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 3:21 pm

Seems like a lot of work, I have always used a drift to tap them out. Either way they will come out ruined.

When you go to put the new ones in use a threaded rod with some fender washers to pull the new bearings into position. I use a little anti-size on the bore and bearing outer shell to help them slip, heating the bore and freezing the bearing might also help.

Hawk Joined: Jun 05, 2017 Posts: 330 Location: New England

sillygoose wrote:

Seems like a lot of work, I have always used a drift to tap them out. Either way they will come out ruined.

When you go to put the new ones in use a threaded rod with some fender washers to pull the new bearings into position. I use a little anti-size on the bore and bearing outer shell to help them slip, heating the bore and freezing the bearing might also help.

+1 MP also makes a nice tool for this that I have used more than I thought I would.

MB-5 Joined: Aug 11, 2018 Posts: 11 Location: NV

So the local O'reilys auto parts has a tool loan system. I checked out a slamhammer and bearing puller (screws onto the end of the hammer rod and the more you thread it in, the more the two upward facing forks push against the inside of the swingarm walls past the frozen bearing race), sprayed some thread loosener, waited 10 minutes....It only took 10 slams on each side and they both came out! Never got near the new powdercoating, I'm so happy because I lamented this damn thing for a week. WITH THE RIGHT TOOLS, ONE CAN DO ANYTHING!

Thanks for all your input guys.

Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2018 7:21 am

smurdoch wrote:

I have used a Dremel with a cutting wheel to slice a notch in the race. It might take a couple wheels and be careful on how deep you are going.
It will weaken it enough and/or provide enough flex to remove it.

I have also seen a clip of using a tiny grinding wheel for the same purpose.
Some pics in this ADV thread. https://advrider.com/index.php?threads/r1150gsa-swingarm-bearing-race-needs-removing.910919/

as a general "stuck bearing" technique - as above - you don't need to cut through the bearing shell just cut a few slots - then blast it with yir welding torch = this pulls in the shell as it shrinks - hayho ho it usually then drops out

and a reminder of what we all know, never tap in the new bearing via the centre bush ( if its a sealed bearing ) - only ever on the outer shell