Swingarm/ Driveshaft Service

[damark115]

I am in the middle of doing my own service. I am not afraid to turn a wrench and too cheap to pay someone else. After spending multiple hours reading all related threads here and Gadget's page I decided to plunge head first into this. I read and re-read the shop manual to understand what goes where. I own a 2000 FI Nomad with 18000 miles. I ride rain or shine and figured since I bought it with 5000 miles there was probably need for work. Since I was doing my own tires I knew the extra hour or so would be well spent. If you do have the bike apart, SPEND THE EXTRA TIME! My swingarm seals were bad, there was minimal grease in the bearings and my driveshaft u-joint was notchy feeling. God knows what would have happened if the shaft blew or what more may have been damaged due to vibration. Kawasaki calls for replacing the driveshaft. After reading Gadget's page there are alternatives. I ordered the Tucker Rocky #57-8236 u-joint from a local shop. $21.99. After reading macmac's threads I plan to check and fix any side freeplay when the arm goes back in. I plan to put a grease fitting in the swingarm and possibly the u-joint if it doesn't have one (its not here yet). You can bet I will take it all apart again at the next tire change.
DO NOT ASSUME EVERYTHING IS OK. The thing I read about most often is about lack of grease.
If you cannot take it apart yourself, get someone to do it for you. It is money and time well spent.
The best tips I got was from reading here at KAWANOW. I even took digital photos to remember what went where since middle age has eaten half my brain.
It isn't that hard to do with minimal ability and tools.
I can't wait to get this back together and start the front.
Thanks go out to macmac for the pm's and anyone else who posted here.

Mark

[VulcanE]

I agree that if you've got the tire off, go ahead with the swing arm, your more than 2/3 of the way there. I was going to install a grease fitting in mine too, but after I saw how easy it was to get it the rest of the way apart, I decided not to. I do mine every other rear tire change, and I want to take it apart so I can check everything (that's just the kind of person I am). I did install a grease fitting in the steering stem though.

[damark115]

The front end grease fitting is in my plans next.

[bikerdad]

I am thinking about doing this same thing to my 2000 FI Nomad. I am glad to hear that it went well. Where did you get your shop manual? Do you know if I can down load one online? It is cold here so I have a few of months to get mine done.

Thanks for the push for me to do mine.

[Kawhead]

Originally Posted by bikerdad

I am thinking about doing this same thing to my 2000 FI Nomad. I am glad to hear that it went well. Where did you get your shop manual? Do you know if I can down load one online? It is cold here so I have a few of months to get mine done.

Thanks for the push for me to do mine.

http://filestoshare.testsajten.se/20...sic_Tourer.pdf Here you go bikerdad. Refugio gave it to us. ;)

[damark115]

I got my manual on ebay for $25. It has been a life saver. Second to Kawanow.

[bikerdad]

Thanks for all of the info. I got the wheel and the swing arm off today. Everything looked good. I will be starting to clean everything up before I put it back on. Just think in three months I may be able to start to ride again. There should be laws against snow

[dogdoc]

I been riding to work near everyday bikerdad, it was 32 this morning and away I rode, :-)

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Doc (Lonewolf)

I been riding to work near everyday bikerdad, it was 32 this morning and away I rode, :-)

Oh, a "tough guy"...

I will ride when it's that cold, but I don't like to. I live near the open desert and temps around my house are usually several degrees cooler than in town. Lately it's been low-mid 30's at 0630, which is when I leave for work.