how2get link out of swingarm?

I am pretty sure that there is a bolt holding that cam onto the swingarm. If you remove this, it should be rather straightforward to pull the thing out. You might need a rubber mallet, though.

As for the bearings, replace them. I am a firm believer that bearings are not servicable, they are replacable. Those bearings are most likely needle bearings. If you remove them, there should be markings/letters on the end face that will indicate the part number. Most likely going to be SKF's, which you should have available in Germany.

I have not done this to my bike yet. So, I cannot verify nor provide bearing part numbers for this area of the bike.

You will need a press to remove the bearings. Sometimes a torch is needed too. You might even be able to get away with putting the parts in an oven at 300deg. F (not deg C!!!) to get the metal to expand enough for the bearings to slide out easily.

Good luck.

PS - If it is an SKF needle bearing, the number on the face will look something like this: HK3012, I am pretty sure the HK prefix denotes needle bearings.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

Hey Timo -

The steel bushings are pressed up against the link. Just knock the link side-to-side and few times. This will force the bushings back into the swingarm, releasing the link. You will then be able to remove it.


~ Ken

Hi Timo.

I had the same problem you has a couple of months ago. I couldn't get that bolt out, so I just regreased the other bearings.

Don't remove the needle bearings, just use your finger to regrease them.

The bolt will come out. I eventually got mine out by progressively placing spacers, nuts , washers etc over the bolt end and levering with tyre levers and the like with a little hammering. The link itself is tight within the swingarm and also needs a little 'percussive' persuasion. They say patience is a virtue. Worth doing because once you get it all lubed up properly it comes out easier each time.

Your problem might be that you are trying to remove the bushes. If you've got the bolt out, then the link will come out out, as long as none of the 3 bushes bridge a gap between the link and the swingarm. Mine was tough to pull out, but levers and cold chisels did it. I did tidy up the surfaces afterwards to make it easier to reinstall and remove later.

Yep, between the link and the swingarm to separate the two. It did seem to be an interference fit. Ken's suggestion to tap the link sideways a bit might help, but in my case that wouldn't have helped. As long as the bushes don't bridge the gap between the swingarm and link it will come out.