Lube your suspension!

I decided after the rather wet ride last week that I would go through the lower bearings on the bike today. After a bit of a struggle, I got the linkage pulled out, and lo and behold, one set of the bearings was rusted. Grrrrr! I had greased these bearings just a couple of months ago at the beginning of the year, but all that water we ran through in Oregon obviously got in there, and because I did not get on it right away, they rusted up almost solid. So, the moral to this story is, don't put of your maintenance like I did. I will post pics tomorrow, as I left my camera at home today.

TheFlying"W" wrote:

I decided after the rather wet ride last week that I would go through the lower bearings on the bike today. After a bit of a struggle, I got the linkage pulled out, and lo and behold, one set of the bearings was rusted. Grrrrr! I had greased these bearings just a couple of months ago at the beginning of the year, but all that water we ran through in Oregon obviously got in there, and because I did not get on it right away, they rusted up almost solid. So, the moral to this story is, don't put of your maintenance like I did. I will post pics tomorrow, as I left my camera at home today.

Wow, are your seals in good cond? Shouldn't have got water in from just trail riding. Do you pressure wash your bike? I've seen water get pushed into seals from high pressure water.

Hodakaguy

I do pressure wash, but I haven't ever gotten that radical with hitting any of the bearing areas. I am sure these are the original bearings and seals. They just didn't look that bad when I serviced them a couple months ago. I guess the seals were gone, I just didn't notice. Anyway, new set of seals and bearings are rushing there way here, should have them on Thursday.

TheFlying"W" wrote:

I do pressure wash, but I haven't ever gotten that radical with hitting any of the bearing areas. I am sure these are the original bearings and seals. They just didn't look that bad when I serviced them a couple months ago. I guess the seals were gone, I just didn't notice. Anyway, new set of seals and bearings are rushing there way here, should have them on Thursday.

Sweet on the new bearings. Yeah it's amazing how water will get into seals ect with pressure washing. I will only hand wash my bike with a garden hose (no nozzle) to keep water out of where it shouldn't be.

I just installed new wheel bearings and seals myself, preventative maint is good

Have a blast on your guys ride this weekend, wish I could make it

Hodakaguy

Gonna miss you representing the Kennewick contingent, but you gotta get ready for your big excursion. Hows that going anyway?

TheFlying"W" wrote:

Gonna miss you representing the Kennewick contingent, but you gotta get ready for your big excursion. Hows that going anyway?

Just about finished. Got a HUGE list of items completed on the bike. Almost finished...Lube the chain, re-pack everything as tight as I can get it....and it's ready to go. 1800 Miles of Pure Desert Fun...Can't wait!

Hodakaguy

Really looking forward to your great ride report and video/pictures of the adventure.

Yeah, and don't pay someone else to do it. %$^%^

*someone needs to have a "tech day" later this year. I need brakes and radiator done.

Inspector wrote:

Yeah, and don't pay someone else to do it. %$^%^

*someone needs to have a "tech day" later this year. I need brakes and radiator done.

Thats a great idea. We had a tech day at my house a couple winters ago...had 3 KLR's in to do the DooHicky mods. It was a lot of fun.

Hodakaguy

oooooo...KLR dudes working on stuff scares me thou.

*reminds me of a story...did I ever post it over here?

I would be happy to host a work day. I have a large shop that everybody can hang out in and get stuff done. Just gotta pick a day that works for everyone.

Son of a bee-hive

Thanks for the reminder! I've had my bike for three years, tore it down into bits and pieces but didn't pull the swing arm and forgot about it. Linkages, stem bearings, seals, linkages, everything - except the swing arm shaft.

I guess I need to make my own XRR swingarm tool or break down and buy one. Glad my bike was not a submarine in its previous owner life.

I got the bearings and seals ordered yesterday, they should be here tomorrow by lunch so I can have them in and be ready for Sunday. I took a couple of pictures to show you guys how rotten they were.

The bearings on the left are supposed to look like the bearings on the right, but they do not. LOL


And a general shot of the bike on the lift with its rear end removed.

Got everything back together this afternoon. I didn't take any pictures though, as I was elbow deep in grease and didn't want to foul my camera. Took it for a short ride around the business complex and it is good to go.

Back in business.

are those wheel bearings or swing arm bearings? glad you got it back together! ( I had faith in you)

Sweet...Good to go! Yep, looks like they needed to be changed

Hodakaguy