Hi guys,
As some of you may have read in this thread: http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=38317.0 (http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=38317.0) , my bike's swingarm is messed up (the right side is bent downward), and as a result the ride is super wobbly. To make it worse, I think that the rear brake rotor is rubbing up against the brake every half revolution.
I don't think I'll be able to make the trip back up to the bay with these problems, so this means I'll have to swap it out while I'm here. I found someone with a 2002 gs who might be willing to part it out (need to get a response from him).
I guess my questions would be:
1. Does the swingarm from a 2002 gse fit a 2005 gsf? (I know it's not the right color, but that doesn't matter at this point)
2. What tools will I need to buy in order to get the part off his bike and onto mine? I left all my socket wrenches and stuff at home.
3. How long will this surgery take to do?
Thanks in advance!
Take about an hour and a half.Basic metric socket set worked for me.Remember to line your wheel up with the swing arm axle.Check or get another rear brake rotor.Pads may be bad.From my understanding all the GS swing arms are interchangeable.Hope this helps a little.
Yep, all GS500 swingarms are interchangeable.
If the rear brake is rubbing off and on, better check the axle and rotor.
The upper and lower bolts in the dog-bone links use locking nuts and are the 2nd tightest you will find on the bike. The manual quotes 70-100Nm, thats about 75lbft in old money......... Now here comes the tip, slacken them off before you remove the back wheel, if you can get someone to sit on the bike and support it while you slacken them even better. If you try and do it with the wheel off and the bike propped-up there is a real risk it will go over...... so why chance it. Given the bolts are so tight it will help if you can beg/borrow/steal a breaker-bar to loosen them off instead of a ratchet-handle and a good quality ring-spanner to hold the nut while you turn the bolt-head. Remember also that all the fastenings on the GS are metric, dont be tempted to use imperial sized tools. If I remember right they are 22 or 24mmAF (not 15/16" or 31/32"). When the bolts are loose then prop the bike up,take the wheel off, and you can dismantle and remove the linkage without having to swing on anything. If you are using the existing needle-roller brgs` in the replacement arm inspect them for rust then clean and re-pack them with fresh grease...... and if the bolts are stiff to come out dont under any circumstances hit the threads with a hammer, use a wooden or hard plastic drift.
Torque figs:
Rear brake torque arm..55-88Nm
Swing-arm pivot bolt..22-35Nm
Upper and lower shock mtg bolts..40-60Nm
Dog bone bolts..70-100Nm
Cushion lever pivot bolt..70-100Nm
Thanks a lot guys!
Gosh do I wish that I brought my 24 inch breaker bar with me on this trip.