Author Topic: K75 / K100 Swingarm Bearings (Read 22886 times)

jhurdle · « **on:** April 04, 2012, 12:41:55 AM »

Probably a dumb question but what is the best way to clean and grease the swingarm bearings on a K75? I have the swingarm off the bike since I was lubing clutch splines and thought I should go ahead and give the bearings some attention. I have removed the outer dust seal but there is another inboard seal preventing access to the bearings. Should I pry this out? Thanks.

Rick G · « **Reply #1 on:** April 04, 2012, 07:08:40 AM »

To get the center of the bearing out put a round bar like a large screwdriver in the hole and give it a sharp pull but be careful as the rollers are liable to scatter to the far reaches of the workshop (do it inside a big plastic bag).
The plastic cage to hold the rollers may be in a couple of bits but if the bearing faces are good I just put it back together with plenty of grease to hold everything in place and when you put the inner race and dust shield back in a firm push with your hand is usually all that is needed to seat it.
I use the same grease as I use on the splines.

jhurdle · « **Reply #2 on:** April 06, 2012, 08:04:32 PM »

Thanks. I went ahead and degreased the bearings and repacked them "in place". It was kind of a pain. Since the bike has ~12000 miles I figured I didn't need to inspect the bearings; just wanted to put some new grease while I had everything apart. I will likely try your approach next time.

robleyd · « **Reply #3 on:** April 06, 2012, 08:25:57 PM »

If it's a paralever model, you might also consider http://www.rubberchickenracinggarage.com/bushings.html when it comes time to replace them.

frankenduck · « **Reply #4 on:** April 06, 2012, 08:37:54 PM »

Quote from: robleyd on April 06, 2012, 08:25:57 PM

If it's a paralever model, you might also consider http://www.rubberchickenracinggarage.com/bushings.html when it comes time to replace them.

Those are kind of spendy IMO but the factory ones really aren't that great. If you're getting up in miles (like 50k or more) and planning a spline lube that might be a good time to do it.

wmax351 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 06, 2012, 09:09:54 PM »

I found some non-sealed type bearings that are much cheaper. Less than 30 bucks, iirc. Much easier to clean/re-grease. They are 32203 bearings. 17x17.25x40 mm size, tapered roller.

With a machined spacer, you could use 30203 bearings (notice there is only one "2"), which are for the wheels and older swingarms for airheads. They are 17x13.25x40 mm. The spacer would be a 17mm ID, Width (height) of 4mm.

Snowbum prefers the non-sealed type on his airheads for easier, more frequent greasing.

The bearings seem fine for street use. Maybe even overkill. They provide extremely rigidity, without significant drag or wear: something that bushings can't do. There is no slop in a bmw swingarm.

frankenduck · « **Reply #6 on:** April 06, 2012, 09:30:08 PM »

Hmmm... where do you find look up the dimensions on those?

The BMW parts catalog shows the left swing arm bearing as a 40x17x17 and the paralever bearings are both 10x32x17.

wmax351 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 06, 2012, 10:56:42 PM »

Quote from: frankenduck on April 06, 2012, 09:30:08 PM

Hmmm... where do you find look up the dimensions on those?

The BMW parts catalog shows the left swing arm bearing as a 40x17x17 and the paralever bearings are both 10x32x17.

The mono-lever are both 17x17x40 nominal, but measure out at 17.25mm, and this varies by what source you find the info, even though the bearing may be exactly the same number (32203). The same is true for the 30203 bearings.

TimTyler · « **Reply #8 on:** December 28, 2015, 06:53:27 PM »

Quote from: Rick G on April 04, 2012, 07:08:40 AM

To get the center of the bearing out put a round bar like a large screwdriver in the hole and give it a sharp pull but be careful as the rollers are liable to scatter to the far reaches of the workshop (do it inside a big plastic bag).

Can anyone help me understand this?

How can I open up the swingarm bearings to lube them?

Laitch · « **Reply #9 on:** December 28, 2015, 07:17:50 PM »

Maybe using the screwdriver as a slide-less slide-hammer, the handle acting as the hammer when the shaft protruding outward through the bearing's center is pulled. It's evocative imagery anyway, as is working inside a plastic bag.

johnny · « **Reply #10 on:** December 28, 2015, 07:38:58 PM »

greetings...

every time ive had my swing arm off its been a balancing act to keep the needles in there as the inner race comes off by gravity or a slight tug...

i never lubed them... only put the race back on and secured it with zip ties to keep the needles in there...

im thinking you could smear some lube on the needles and put the race back on... i have heard of folks doing that to keep the race on there during reassembly...

the only time i lost some needles is the only time i replaced the bearings... had them pressed out and and pressed in at a gas station with a hydraulic press... could have popped them out with a socket that fit the hole and whacked it with a bf hammer... butts i went the safe route and hired it out on a press...

o... lior replaced a set once too on a fd rebuild... he also used a press butts he used the mandatory bearing tool...

j o

TimTyler · « **Reply #11 on:** December 28, 2015, 08:13:30 PM »

Thanks, All.

I got them out.

My races are fairly notchy so I should replace them.

Where do ya buy 32203 bearings?

rbm · « **Reply #12 on:** December 28, 2015, 08:49:33 PM »

Tim, Oldgoat on K100 forum recommended SNR branded bearings from Motion Industries. Difficult bearing set to locate apparently.

TimTyler · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2015, 09:41:46 PM »

Looks like these will fit: http://www.mooseracing.com/products/?productId=114491&productGroupId=1560&partNumber=A281058

And only $30 for the pair.

Laitch · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2015, 09:58:09 PM »

Isn't that the set that needs a 4mm spacer, Tim, according to wmax?

TimTyler · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2015, 11:29:05 PM »

Yeah - You're right :(

TimTyler · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2015, 11:55:08 PM »

Some of the bikes they list do use the exact same 17x17x40 bearing.

For example, 87-95 R100-RT and R100-R 1990-95.

I'll give a Moose Racing dealer a call in the morning. Maybe that ring in the product image is a spacer?

TimTyler · « **Reply #17 on:** December 29, 2015, 12:13:41 PM »

Called Randy @ Motion Industries and he could not locate any brand of 32203 anywhere in the US. He suggested surplus houses.

Scud · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2015, 12:24:32 PM »

This is a money-saving attempt, right? I was curious about the bearings and Max's parts fiche shows them available for almost $70 each ($140 total). Kind of makes you want to search for a used swingarm from a crashed low-milage bike...

...like this one on e-baby for $9.00 and $30 shipping from a bike with 1,200 miles on it:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/91-BMW-K75-K-75-S-750-K75S-swingarm-swing-arm-/400842814543?hash=item5d5417f44f:g:x6wAAOSw-W5UtVSm&vxp=mtr

TimTyler · « **Reply #19 on:** December 29, 2015, 12:31:00 PM »

Not a bad idea, however if those ebay parts from that 91 k75 really have 1200 miles on them, I'm a monkey's uncle.

Inge K. · « **Reply #20 on:** December 29, 2015, 12:38:32 PM »

Good idea......probably it's complete with grease cups....which I see is missing on the svingarm
belonging to the ~~monkey's uncle~~ Tim, at least on the side shown in the picture.

Scud · « **Reply #21 on:** December 29, 2015, 01:03:38 PM »

Well.... many (but not all) things on eBay are true. I don't have any experience with that seller, but if I needed bearings, I'd ask a few questions and probably give it a try. He did include a picture of an odometer - assumably from the same motorcycle.

I could imagine this scenario: Bike sits for a super long time. Somebody gets the idea to get "ole grandad's" bike going again. It miraculously fires up with nothing but fresh gas. However, the 20-year old stock tires let loose on the first corner... and we have ourselves a low-mileage parts bike.

TimTyler · « **Reply #22 on:** December 29, 2015, 01:19:23 PM »

Hope you're right. I just bought it after I mangled the shit out of my swingarm removing one of the races.

Laitch · « **Reply #23 on:** December 29, 2015, 01:52:08 PM »

Another one here, Tim, if you want to start hoarding. I've bought from him a couple of times—no problem.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-Swing-Arm-K100-K75-Black-/221123781592

TimTyler · « **Reply #24 on:** January 02, 2016, 08:27:34 PM »

Scud's ebay recommendation arrived today and it was in good shape. Looks like the parted ebay bike had been sitting outside a long time but not ridden much.

I put the old and new swing-arms side by side on the table and they both matched. Neither was bent or dented. The bearing grease in the ebay arm was clean and thick. The outer races in the ebay arm are in good shape. Cleaned it all up, packed the bearings with marine EP grease and reassembled. Put the bike back together in the driveway. Brrrrr. Put a new bottle of GL5 80W90 on the bike so I won't forget to fill the gearbox back up before riding. :nono

Lubed the splines with the last of the Castrol Optimol paste TA (BMW recommended) and ordered some Guard Dog 525 for the future.

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Author Topic: K75 / K100 Swingarm Bearings (Read 22886 times)

Rick G