Just want to vent

[cactusjack]

Newbies take note...

Let's not forget that a number of Nomads were found to have dry swingarm bearings, and some had even rusted. This is why you need to have them checked in the first place. Once they have been serviced and you know they are lubed, then you can go to the scheduled service interval on them. Many bikes were not properly lubed at the factory!

[clayton]

Cool

[hammer]

I went to 2 dealers yesterday for the same reason and as far as parts are concerned, they had Jack.

The service guy said the swing arm service did not need to be done as frequently as noted in the manual anyway??? Jack recommended the Barnet over the Meanie clutch spring and Goodrich brake lines as a fix for the too spongy feel of the front brakes that I don't like. The latter I will do soon and the clutch spring I will order so I have it on hand.

It was good to meet Netnorske, Kris Olsen yesterday too. The UBs sound awesome Kris. Hope to see you again soon for a ride.

[clayton]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Newbies take note...

Let's not forget that a number of Nomads were found to have dry swingarm bearings, and some had even rusted. This is why you need to have them checked in the first place. Once they have been serviced and you know they are lubed, then you can go to the scheduled service interval on them. Many bikes were not properly lubed at the factory!

This is true, when I replaced my rear tire the splines on both the drive and wheel had rust forming. The bike has 7500 miles on it...
As soon as I got the tire back I blew out the rust on the wheel and place a nice coat of Poly grease on all things Spline....

[carolinakid1]

Dealers unfortunately cannot afford to keep large inventories of stock anymore due to the economics of business. Everything is warehoused and shipped on order. Never going back to the "good old days" when you could pick up anything you needed from the dealer and there was always quality mechanics on duty that actually followed manufacturer's instructions on installations versus doing it "their" way.

[stewdogg]

Originally Posted by carolinakid

Dealers unfortunately cannot afford to keep large inventories of stock anymore due to the economics of business. Everything is warehoused and shipped on order. Never going back to the "good old days" when you could pick up anything you needed from the dealer and there was always quality mechanics on duty that actually followed manufacturer's instructions on installations versus doing it "their" way.

You would think that this part at $5 a seal wouldn't break them to have a couple on hand. If I'm not mistaken this is the same seal used on a number of different bikes swingarms.

[stewdogg]

Thanks guys at least I know that I'm not alone in my dealer venting.
I figure I could do with out the seals but with my luck I would get it apart only to find out I'm the exception to not needing them.

[dogdoc]

My dealer doesnt stock sh*t and when I asked him about the swing arm service and the cost, he was a 6 yr old kid stammering around and didnt know the cost at all.

[dougster]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Newbies take note...

Let's not forget that a number of Nomads were found to have dry swingarm bearings, and some had even rusted. This is why you need to have them checked in the first place. Once they have been serviced and you know they are lubed, then you can go to the scheduled service interval on them. Many bikes were not properly lubed at the factory!

Is there any record of these "dry bikes" being certain years?

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by dougster

Is there any record of these "dry bikes" being certain years?

No, unfortunately. If I remember correctly, we couldn't find a pattern. It seemed pretty much hit or miss. This was a year and a half or two years ago.

[hammer]

After my ride today I phoned the closest dealer and, in summary, this is what the service guy said:
*Most of the Kawis are pretty dry in the driveline out of the factory and probably the swingarm too.
*He did not think the swingarm was that critical at all at 7000 miles and they do not do it unless the customer insists
*Driveshaft, splines, etc., YES.
*He thought the seals could be reused at my mileage, 16000.

So, I am going to do the swingarm service when I replace the rear tire. The driveline I do with the tire change anyway. For me, if in doubt, get 'er done.

My question is does Kawasaki make more money on grease savings???

[redeye]

Originally Posted by dougster

Is there any record of these "dry bikes" being certain years?

My 2003 had NO grease @ 19,000 miles. The bearing services had some surface rust & crud on them. It's an easy job once you get the rear wheel off. I did not replace the seals at that time. Plan to check the swingarm with every rear tire change....-Rich

[crapper]

i did the shaft swingarm thing at 24000 and everything looked fine....i'm the second owner so maybe the first owner had her done but i doubt it...he did nothing he didn't need to.
the old seals looked no worse for wear than the new ones.
put new ones in anyway so won't have to think of it for a spell.............