Swing arm mounting bolt :-(

[Ffoxy]

Looks like ny re-build might have to end...

On my XT the Swing arm mount bolt passes through the rear engine case & probably hasnt seen any grease in it's long life... I couldnt shift it, nor could a local Motorbike mechanic... the bushes in the alloy cases are turning as it's all "welded up" in there, it appears it is set in there for life so the engine wont come out & he wanted £300 - £400 to cut the bolt in 4 places then remove the engine & fettle around with the bits of bolt. That would bust my budget sadly so I may be having to sell the old bike in bits to recover my cost to buy.

But some of you guys will probably have had this before, I couldnt find any up-lifting solutions in a Search though....

How have you hero's managed to get over this problem? Is there a way? Or does the old girl have to die after all.... ?

[philb]

PM'd you Keith.

Phil.

[Eric66]

Had the same problem many years ago with a XT250, had to use a hacksaw to cut the bolt between the swingarm on both sides of the case, at least then the motor can come out.
Regards Eric

[Mezo]

Ive got a similar problem on one of the bikes im stripping, the swing arm linkage bolt is rusted tight

Ive bashed the crap out of it trying to get it out for two days, ill have to carefully cut the bolt to remove the linkage system, in your case you could do the same & what would make it easier if you "gently" pry the frame outwards to allow a blade to slide between the engine & frame.

If you have a battery reciprocating saw it makes life a lot easier, or just remove the blade from a hacksaw & do it that way (lot harder & longer) but eventually it will cut through Kieth.

Mezo.

[ActionManMelb]

or just remove the blade from a hacksaw & do it that way (lot harder & longer) but eventually it will cut through Kieth.

Just like your uncle taught you Mezo, after he busted out of Brixton!!

[xtzrick]

I had the same problem as Mezo, carefully cut the bolt but still had to buy a new linkage
Using a saw you have a very good chance of damaging the frame, swingarm & engine casings (You're basically trying to cut down the cups that hold your outer oil seals which turns a 16mm bolt into a 32mm bar).

How is the frame supported when you hammer the bolt?
I'd have it on its' side, supported so the bolt is vertical & place a thick metal tube or socket under the bolt to hold the frame & engine off the floor & give the bolt space to move into (Making sure the tube or socket only touches the flat mounting plate, not the frame tube).

Then "Whack the Fucker"

If that fails I'd try drilling the bolt as deep & as wide as possible from each end, heat the bolt with a blow lamp, then pour cold water over it to try & shock a crack between the bolt & bearing race.

Then repeat the support & "Whack the Fucker" method

If that still fails & you have to resort to the saw method, you "only" have to cut through a tube, not a solid bar.

Rick

[Ffoxy]

All the supportive notes are appreciated guys... Thanks.

PhilB, appreciated the PM on this too. My internet has been broken for almost a week by the way! I'd really like to soak the whole area in a bath of Plus-Gas for a week or two.

First I gotta get the frame & engine back from the mechanic, he was supposed to drop it back on Thursday! Shame I hit this obstacle as my brand new (Kph) clocks have arrived from Greece, £72 inc delivery & I got the mounting plate & the rubber bit that butts up to the small fairing too! I've given the e-bay seller top feedback, can't be faulted.

I'll try all suggestions but slightly concerned that the belting I give the bolt will "mushroom" the end or bend it, even with a nut on the thread to protect it, an adapter would be cool to thread on to the bolt & see how a slide hammer works? I have a mate who's Dad re-builds old Brit-bikes... I guess I could enlist him...

So I'll do some pics of the bits & bobs I HAVE had progress with & Post them up.

[xtzrick]

You could use a length of bar or long bolt as a "drift", that would stop the threaded end mushrooming.

Rick

[marcm]

ive had some results before tapping a thread down through swingam spindle then using a suitable bolt/sockets/spacers to pull the spindle out,you may find winding it up tight the giving it a bash on the other end might shift it before savaging stuff with hacksaw or grinder..good luck..

[Mezo]

Well im sure if Kieth got a piece of steel turned up with a slightly smaller ID than the axle bolt & with a small point on the end to locate it in the recess, then a good whack with a decent heavy hammer it would come out im sure.

A nice heavy lump hammer would do the trick.



Mezo.