Clutch push rod, seals and bearing- Loop

[Dimples]

Can the clutch push rod, seals and bearing service be done on the bike without removing the swing arm?
Does the throw-out bearing need to be greased/lubed on reassembly? If so, what's best?

[Scout63]

I seem to think that it can, but I wouldn’t want to attempt it. Swingarm removal is pretty straightforward, and gives you a great opportunity to evaluate the swingarm bearings, u-joint bearing and u-joint.  I grease the pushrod bearing and rod with a good wheel bearing grease.  While you are in there you might consider using o-ring pushrod seals.  I have a big bag of them.  Feel free to PM me and I will mail you some (a practice learned from Charlie M.).

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

The pushrod and it's seals can't be removed with the swingarm in place. The throw-out bearing assembly can, but there's not a lot of room to work. I agree with Scout63 - pull the swingarm.

[John A]

Might as well do a service on the swing arm assembly. Drain the rear box, pack the swing arm bearings, lube the driveshaft and all that stuff. Put a new boot on if needed. You won’t have to fool with it for a good while after that.

[Dimples]

Thank you all for the knowledgeable advice!

[pehayes]

Take the rear drive off first.  The swingarm is quite unwieldy with that big weight hanging off the end.  Swingarm is much easier with drive off.  If you don't want to change the oil, just make sure to stand it up in normal position so it doesn't leak out.  You will surely want to inspect and lubricate the drive shaft splines and the coupler mating it to the rear drive.  Classically dry of grease.

When you have the outer body and bearing removed from the back of the transmission, stick your finger in and verify the quality of the sliding surface in the bore.  Any bearing failure usually leads to damage of the soft aluminum bore.  Once damaged, the o-ring on the outer body won't seal any longer.  If the bore is severely damaged, it can be restored with an insert.  But that requires full disassembly of the transmission.  I can do that insert if necessary.

When you reassemble, make sure to ALWAYS keep a little bit of freeplay in the clutch cable.  You do NOT want a taut cable.  That radial throwout bearing can't handle continuous loading.  It is designed only for momentary operation.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA