Kawi2strokes.com Forum

I have a extra 72 H2 swing arm that I'm getting ready to send to the powder-coaters. What about adding needle bearings (KZ900), what does that improve.
I have new bronze bushings but wondered if I should ad a brace to the front section?

Bronze bushings actually have more contact area, and if lubed once a year, work great. Rollers, with such small deflection really aren't any better, if at all. I haven't seen any need for bracing, and it would be the back arms that would more likely flex, but that would take some good loading.

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Twist the throttle, tilt the horizon, and have a great time. What triples are all about...........

That sure makes me wonder why 95% of all bikes (500cc and above) in the last 30 years uses needle bearings in the swing arm. It sure isn’t the cost.
I have 10 years and 50k miles on my swing arm needle bearings (H1E) and there’s nothing to indicate that I would need to replace them any time soon.

PK

Needle rollers work fine, and so do bronze bushes, it's a bit like the tapered/ball head-stock bearing thing. I'm sure a lot of bikes have been fitted with needle rollers for the marketing kudos! I don't think a swing-arm is the best application of needle-rollers! Just 1 opinion.

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