Whats the best to use on the swinging arm bearings and bushes? copper slip (anti seize) or plan old grease?
I think of copper slip as just anti seize but is it a good lubricant as well? can I just put this on the shaft and use grease on the bearings?

Mark

I used marine grease on the presumption that it would spend quite a bit of time under water!

It's probably of lesser significance as to the type of grease used than the frequency of it's use, undo the shaft every six weeks or so, slide in and out a few times, and spin it a few times also.
It pays to have two shafts, as one is pulled out, squirt some grease in of your favourite flavour, and push it through with the other shaft, or dowel bar.
Mike

I used Putoline race grease, simply because LT reccomends it.

Its a lovely blue colour

Think id stick to grease just for the lube effect. I thought copper slip was for static or small movement joints, which i guess the swingarm is, but id still go for grease. Its cheaper too

I am just a little concerned,

I bought the bike and, used it for about 3 months then went for the swinging arm strip, took some persuading but no real trouble, got it out and re-greased everything and replaced all the bearings linkage ones as well.
then I got the rear shock rebuilt and forgot or somehow missed the top shock bearing, after I don`t know how many rides, I realised one day when I had the bike on the stand there was play in the shock, so got a new bearing and stripped the swinging arm, to get the shock out! And the left hand side by the gearbox sprocket! Was near bone dry!!!!
Not sure if this is because I jet washed the bike regular and I did spend some time near the sprocket because of the mud build up! So maybe the jet wash has somehow removed the grease from this side? But now I hand wash the bike and normal hose it off, jet wash once every 3-4 rides and remove the pivot and re-greased! Don`t want that pivot bolt seized! Nightmare time, just using normal grease at the moment, but due a strip so wondering what the best to use?

If anyone asks me about an older trail bike I now always say check the swinging arm bolt to make sure it is free!! Anything else is an easy job compared to that being stuck!

You can get swinging arm bearings from " simply bearings" that have an additional seal built into them.
Mike

I'll be using these next time - HK20202RS (20x26x20 bearings with a nitrile seal at each end). I've currently got these without the seals and they are a little difficult to get the swingarm spindle through as there is not so much allowance for differences one side of the swingarm to the other. They do however keep the swingarm more rigid and allow for the forces to be spread over a much larger area.

[quote="fallenmikethebike"]You can get swinging arm bearings from " simply bearings" that have an additional seal built into them.
Mike[/quote]


I got mine from allballs, for an XR400, do they have the extra seal! I know the answer is gonna be no! are well in another 10 years I can replace them!! ha ha

xander77 wrote:

fallenmikethebike wrote:You can get swinging arm bearings from " simply bearings" that have an additional seal built into them.
Mike

I got mine from allballs, for an XR400, do they have the extra seal! I know the answer is gonna be no! are well in another 10 years I can replace them!! ha ha

You must get fed up with being right all the time
Mike

I knew it before I asked!! haha thanks Mike

When you go to all the hassle of getting that spindle out drill and tap n fit grease nipples ,job done only ever squirt grease ,no more dismantling!!

twistednuts wrote:I used Putoline race grease, simply because LT reccomends it.

Its a lovely blue colour

Think id stick to grease just for the lube effect. I thought copper slip was for static or small movement joints, which i guess the swingarm is, but id still go for grease. Its cheaper too

FFS i use it cos LT recommend it ? They probably recommend it as its the dearest stuff they sell IMHO they are not the most customer friendly dealer in the country

BOR

I know, probably not the best place to take advice from, but i was new to the whole trail bike thing an everyone seemed to rate them at the time.

It wasnt that dear anyway. Although the bearings an stuff are, but at least you know your gettin the right ones etc.

I found them very helpful an friendly, an day after delivery, that must be worth the extra spend?

LT = Tom

Amazing parts service, next day delivery every time, back orders not forgotten, thousands spent and everything arrived perfectly.

Helisupp

Just installed XR400 allballs swingarm bearing kit. In total 8 bearings ( 2 wide and 2 normal), 4 small seals, 2 outside large seals, 2 spacers.

Bearings and spacers fit fine, used wide and 2 normal width bearings, leaving a complete set of bearings and small seals as spares. Its a shame they are too big for the linkage as could use a spare set with new bushes.