Bendy toy
Registered user
My parts are still with the powder coaters but as it was in bits I decide to get the swing arm and steering top yoke done as well.
The bearings all come out easily when the top yoke is oven heated to 100C. I used an an IR thermometer and Mrs Bendy wasn't fazed because the part wasn't smelly with gear oil.
The fork top ball joints are special so Ive taken them out carefully. First pop out the seals then a snap ring can be popped out. Then heat the whole lot and all three bearings will drop out with minimal force.
My top centre bearing seemed to be ok but for £8.20 delivered not worth keeping. The ball joints are specials and (very) not low cost so they are staying and they seem to be fine. However new centre top bearing is so smooth I'm expecting the bike steering to feel more precise when its all back together.
We are told the front swing arm ball joint takes all the suspension load, but clearly the 20 x 47 x 20.6 mm double row angular contact ball centre top bearing isn't so huge for nothing.
If steering feels heavy and you don't have slow tyres on the bike, its well worth checking the ball joint and then this bearing. Its a bit of a faff to get at, but its a lot easier than steering head bearings on a "normal" bike.
The bearings all come out easily when the top yoke is oven heated to 100C. I used an an IR thermometer and Mrs Bendy wasn't fazed because the part wasn't smelly with gear oil.
The fork top ball joints are special so Ive taken them out carefully. First pop out the seals then a snap ring can be popped out. Then heat the whole lot and all three bearings will drop out with minimal force.
My top centre bearing seemed to be ok but for £8.20 delivered not worth keeping. The ball joints are specials and (very) not low cost so they are staying and they seem to be fine. However new centre top bearing is so smooth I'm expecting the bike steering to feel more precise when its all back together.
We are told the front swing arm ball joint takes all the suspension load, but clearly the 20 x 47 x 20.6 mm double row angular contact ball centre top bearing isn't so huge for nothing.
If steering feels heavy and you don't have slow tyres on the bike, its well worth checking the ball joint and then this bearing. Its a bit of a faff to get at, but its a lot easier than steering head bearings on a "normal" bike.
