Friggin Kawi

[rewindgy]

So, I finally get around to taking off the rear wheel so's to get a new tire put on for spring - almost can't remember when there wasn't snow on the ground??? Puttin an Avon Venom back on - old one lasted a good 25,000 km - maybe more if I pushed it! And I decide since there was no grease in my steering head bearings maybe the same bozo didn't put any grease in the swingarm bushings! Good guess!! I couldn't even get my hands slippery with the amount of grease in there!!! I remember asking the Stealer who changed out the steering bearings if he thought we should look at the swingarm ones at same time and of course he stated " never seen a Nomad with no grease in there!" Once again I call B.S.! Is this the norm for Kawasaki's? My Drifter has three grease zerks on all the rear pivot arms - so why wouldn't their Touring Bike do the same?? And is the new 1700 Nomad and Voyager going to have the same issues? Man. I went thru 3 Ventures well over 500,000 km's and each time I checked the steering head bearings / swingarm bearings / pivot points they had more than adequate grease present. Some guys added zerks to the swingarm bearings but I'm not really sure why as they were packed to the max from factory!
Sorry for ranting, but I strongly urge everyone to pull the swingarm and grease the snot outa them! I put a zerk in and should be okay now. You obviously can't trust the Stealers or Factory to properly service the bike before you get it so your on your own! I just feel for the guys who can't perform their own maintenance and be assured that it is done right! Oh and last Stealer who put the last tire on - kinda forgot to grease the splines on the rear wheel!!! I shoulda never used them - they had a promo last year if you bought two new tires they would mount them for free! So much for trusting them either!

[dogdoc]

Normal kawi service.

[Idaho]

There is a LOT to be said for do-it-yourself maintenance.

[borto1990]

My local Kawi dealer blows goats!!! Don't trust em for nothin. Went to em for service twice when I got my first 04 vulcan in 07. Figure I better get it "done right" since I don't know much about them yet. splines were just dust in there, batt terms were hangin loose and several other issues.. Thank goodness for clymers and vn750.com for that bike and sites like this for my future bike. I wouldn't be sad if I never step foot in there again!

[kenb]

Makes you feel kinda sorry for those who do not have the skills or desire to perform some maintenance themselves. I enjoy doing my own maintenance. Saves some big $ and the satisfaction of a job done better than what I would get at the dealer is priceless. Sure, there is likely something that I may need to have the "pros" do, but, until then, I'll be turning all the wrenches. JMHO

[redeye]

From what I've read, No grease is S.O.P. at maw-kaw.

I serviced mine last weekend & had rust on the swing arm bushings. No grease to be seen on the rear wheel drive splines & the drive line was bone dry.......

[dandolfn]

Makes you feel kinda sorry for those who do not have the skills or desire to perform some maintenance themselves.

Did somebody call me?

:) :)

[lw]

Originally Posted by dandolfn

Makes you feel kinda sorry for those who do not have the skills or desire to perform some maintenance themselves.

Did somebody call me?

:) :)

Nah, I think that was my name being called.

[goose]

Hey is there a link to gadgets corner on this procedure of grease in the steering head bearings & swing arm bushings I've never read anything about this before I do however always grease the splines on my rear hub every time I have pulled it? Thanks [GOOSE]

[macmac]

I tolle you all, dat dare wuz no DaMNED grease in dare many many times. No onez listens to me..

Dar be NO Damned Grease in dar!

No such ting as swingarm bushings in dare eidder! Dem be spacers! Nice n' rusty spacers too !

[dougster]

Originally Posted by macmac

I tolle you all, dat dare wuz no DaMNED grease in dare many many times. No onez listens to me..

Dar be NO Damned Grease in dar!

No such ting as swingarm bushings in dare eidder! Dem be spacers! Nice n' rusty spacers too !

Mac! Good to see you again!
But, we DO listen to you. Just that no one else does! :)

[Todd]

Originally Posted by macmac

I tolle you all, dat dare wuz no DaMNED grease in dare many many times. No onez listens to me..

Dar be NO Damned Grease in dar!

No such ting as swingarm bushings in dare eidder! Dem be spacers! Nice n' rusty spacers too !

Did sumbody say sumthin ??? ???

[macmac]

Aye Todd, tis me all fur and fuzz, come up to see my shadow... Lookin like 6 mo' weeks O' dis winter too! Got Grease?

[goose]

I guess I answered my own ? on another thread http://tinyurl.com/273zdk is this link that shows us the process of tire and rear swing arm removal. [GOOSE]

[macmac]

I looked that thread over...

I disagree with the method he showed to pull the swingarm off. leaving the drive shaft to hang off the bevel gear spline.

it would have been better to block the swing arm to support it on a big bucket with additional wood blocks, and pull the swing arm just enough to release the drive shaft pin.

Then pull the swing arm down removing any wooden blocks and leaving the swing arm on the bucket.

By turning the swing arm then with drawing the drive shaft.

This method leaves no strain on the bevel spline and the bevel gears. Also there is no need to cut the brake flex line retainers.