Any Zerks Out There?

[oldsport]

Considering the significant amount of labor and short maintenance cycle for the swingarm and shock pivot, has anyone installed zerk fittings?

Is there a reason why that wouldn't be a good idea?

Thanks,
OS

[Gisser]

There is a difference with needle bearings designed for zerc lube in that the outer shell on that type will have a  hole drilled through to allow for entry of the grease.  If you fill the swingarm tube full of grease it will slowly ooze out the ends.  Messy.  And, even then the grease may never saturate the brgs.  

Same deal for the shock pivot if it's a needle bearing.  OTOH, if the pivot is a solid bushing, you could cut reliefs to distribute the grease.  

Not saying that simply threading in zercs won't do any good  :dunno: ....just that there's more to it when done right at the factory.

[oldsport]

Not saying that simply threading in zercs won't do any good  :dunno: ....just that there's more to it when done right at the factory.

I see what you mean.  Poor design with regards to maintaining (not as bad as the nylon bushings that use to come in a lot of swingarms.)

Question then, have others found these bearings lacking grease when you've opened them up?  At what milages?  I try not to ride in the rain and I've never been to a spray car wash.  

OS.

[Gisser]

Clymer PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION lists
steering head and swinging arm at 12,000 miles.  

My bearings were gone by the time I checked them after 4 years and 15,000 miles.

[oldsport]

Clymer PERIODIC MAINTENANCE AND LUBRICATION lists
steering head and swinging arm at 12,000 miles.  

My bearings were gone by the time I checked them after 4 years and 15,000 miles.

Maybe you have a different Clymer than I do?  Mine says every 4000 mi.

[Gisser]

Maybe you have a different Clymer than I do? Mine says every 4000 mi.

Oh, yeah.  I have the GS450 Clymer.   I wonder if the Clymer schedule is a generalization or actually based on the official Suzuki GS500 service manual, because it doesn't seem realistic to expect an owner to teardown the swingarm and shock linkages every other oil change.    Not me.  Not that anal.

[MarkusN]

My bearings were gone by the time I checked them after 4 years and 15,000 miles.

Did you take a high pressure washer to your GS? I have heard that those are hell on the swing arm bearings.

[Gisser]

If I did, there wouldn't be much point if I didn't aim the high-pressure spray at the greasy parts.

I think the DIY can do a better job packing the bearings than the factory and with longer lasting, water-repellant grease [Shell's tacky green moly].