GSX600f swingarm linkage?

[Odin]

I need a bit of advice on a technical matter. I have been commuting on a gsx600f from 1990 for a couple of years. I do about 400 - 600Km per week. And since it was already a bit long in the tooth that has taken it to 110,000Km. I was not an expensive bike but it does the job. Now the swingarm linkage is to wobbly and need work for it to pass the wof. It's rather loose so it may need a total replacement. So the questions i have are. I have some skill with tools but not much experience with bikes (or cars). And i have five kids and little time.
1. Should i get a different bike ? If the bike is worth 1500 - 2000 is it really worth fixing ?
2. Where could i get a good second hand part ? I hear a new one is about 600$
3. Should i install it my self ? I have no bike stand or the like and its 201Kg dry weight.

[imdying]

Ring your dealer and get a price... if you're 'heard' it is $600, then maybe whoever told you that was just taking a guess? Could be the cheapest way out :)


You'll have no trouble figuring out how to support it for the hour you'll need to swap it out :)

[dhunt]

I need a bit of advice on a technical matter. I have been commuting on a gsx600f from 1990 for a couple of years. I do about 400 - 600Km per week. And since it was already a bit long in the tooth that has taken it to 110,000Km. I was not an expensive bike but it does the job. Now the swingarm linkage is to wobbly and need work for it to pass the wof. It's rather loose so it may need a total replacement. So the questions i have are. I have some skill with tools but not much experience with bikes (or cars). And i have five kids and little time.
1. Should i get a different bike ? If the bike is worth 1500 - 2000 is it really worth fixing ?
2. Where could i get a good second hand part ? I hear a new one is about 600$
3. Should i install it my self ? I have no bike stand or the like and its 201Kg dry weight.
1) It depends on how much it costs? You will learn lots from doing something like this? Also would probably be cheaper to fix than buy a new bike.

2) Why is the linkage wobbly (ie more details required)? surely you would just need to replace the bearing etc.

3) Doesn't your bike have a centre stand. My one did. You can play around with the swingarm & pull it on/off no problem from the centre stand.

[Odin]

I got the price from the mechanic thats looked at it (and has worked on it before). He did find a second hand one but it was just as bad.

By wobbly i guess i mean the bearings are very loose. (did i mention that i don't know to much about bikes ?) I'm not sure if the hole linkage needs replacing but that was the impression i got.

I would think i could figure how to replace some bits my self but is there anything one should watch out for with these particular parts. Do they need aligning in one way or an other ? Would i need to take the back wheel of ?

It does have a centre stand so i could do i like that. Even "hagn" one end from the garage roof if needed.

Thanks

[dhunt]

I got the price from the mechanic thats looked at it (and has worked on it before). He did find a second hand one but it was just as bad.

By wobbly i guess i mean the bearings are very loose. (did i mention that i don't know to much about bikes ?) I'm not sure if the hole linkage needs replacing but that was the impression i got.

I would think i could figure how to replace some bits my self but is there anything one should watch out for with these particular parts. Do they need aligning in one way or an other ? Would i need to take the back wheel of ?

It does have a centre stand so i could do i like that. Even "hagn" one end from the garage roof if needed.

Thanks
I don't thing there is anything too differcult to go wrong with this. Just take your time etc. Yes you probably wont to take the back wheel off. It's pretty easy (1 22mm bolt if I remember right) so that you have more room to work. All can be done with the bike on the centre stand.

I'm sure there must be some one up your way that would be willing to give you hand if you get stuck. Otherwise post on here.

[Katman]

It may well be only one bearing in the suspension that has disintergrated. You may well be able to fix it yourself for minimal cost.

If the rest of the bearings are intact they may only need re-greasing.

[Odin]

Thanks for your help, I'll bring it home and give it a go. Might take me a while but i'll keep you posted.

Anybody know of any MC wreckers in south Auckland / Pukekohe ?

[vifferman]

The linkages have fairly basic bearings in them, so should be easy to replace either yourself or get an engineer or mechanic to press them out. The only really tricky bit will be finding the right-sized replacements. I wouldn't be surprised if they're difficult to obtain from Suzuki. If you can find out exactly what they are (size, ID, OD, etc.) a good engineering supplies place should be able to supply them. If you don't have much luck then having the linkage machined to take some with the same sized internal diameter would be cheaper than a new linkage.