Started FIRST EVER teardown!

[cowboyona426]

I got out of class early today, so I hauled butt home to start some much needed maintenance on my bike. None of the bearings have never been greased since I bought the bike in 00. Looks like I started just in time! None of the bearings are trashed, but they are in need of some grease. I had a hard time getting the swingarm bolt out, but other than that it all went smoothly. Below are the pics of a few hours worth of laboring today.





I'm picking up some waterproof grease tomorrow so Sunday (next day off) I can put it all back together. It's not nearly as intimidating as I thought it would be, it's really quite simple. I'm sure it's a ton harder if you're replacing stuff, but just a teardown and grease is a snap

Here's my question- last Saturday I fired the bike up and make a quick buzz up and down the driveway (which is a muddy mess). Today during the disassembly I noticed a little bit of rust on my X-ring chain- should I just squirt it with some chain lube, soak it in motor oil, or what??? The chain is practically brand new, I installed it last summer and it has maybe 2 rides on it. Next up, steering head bearings!

[tirebiter]

Cowboy, a little chain rust is normal.. no worries.. probibly caused by your last washing. lube it with your favorite lube, mine's Maxima chain wax. Take your time re-assembling your scoot, and use mild (blue) locktite on all the bolts you think are gonna rattle loose. The biggest asset to all repair/maint. work is the proper tools! Spend a little more and get good ones, they'll last you a lifetime. No half stepping.. do it right!....... Dan

[cowboyona426]

I have blue locktite and a Craftsman beam-style torque wrench ready and waiting Re-assembling the linkage will be kind of a pain because I don't have enough big sockets to do the job, but I should be able to get it. The rust just bugs me because the chain is practically new! I think I'll just spray it down with some lube- Maxima chain wax is the same stuff I use! I'm going to order some spanners from Harbor Freight when I get paid next so I can do the steering head bearings a little easier.

[MATTXR250R]

Looks like where doing the samething Chase...2 days ago I pull my swingarm off and linkage apart to put new linkage bearings in....getting the swingarm and linkage loose is EASY...the time consuming part was using a VICE as a press to press the old rusted dirty needle bearings out of the linkage...I got all the linkage bearings pressed out...cleaned everything up spotless..I had went to the dealer earlier that day and got me some Bel-Ray Waterproof grease(a VERY HIGH QUALITY GREASE IMO!). So I greased the bearing bores on the linkage. Then put in all new linkage bearings. Put linkage back onto the swingarm and put swingarm back on.

Then I was going to the rear wheel bearings(little slop in them)but I couldn't get the bearing retainer out so I got it soaking in some penetrating oil...then I thought...well I will just go ahead the grease the steering stem bearings. Off came the front tire...then slid the forks out of the triple clamps...off came the handlebar...then took the first big nut loose and the washer and popped the top triple clamp off...loosened the retainter and pulled the stem with it...MAN...THE STEM AND TAPERED NEEDLE BEARINGS WERE NASTY...JUST NASTY...IN DIRE NEED OF GREASE...I cleaned all that up good and grease everything really good and put back together...the front wheel bearings are good so once I get the rear wheel bearings in I will have all new bearigns cause I got new swingarm bearings in to that I had put in about 2 1/2 months or so ago....and BTW the old linkage bearings I pressed out were just totally worn out...after I got the swingarm etc on I put the rear tire back on and and sit on the bike to compress the rear suspension...OMG...WHAT A DIFFERENCE...before it felt like something was binding(thanks to the nasty needle bearings...the pivot bolts couldn't rotate smoothly...From now on I am going to grease all my bearings every 4 months...in the mud I ride in it is every bit needed...Good Luck Chase

[cowboyona426]

I started to remove the front end too, but my stand wasn't balanced enough to hold the bike up. I did notice, though, that my front axle nut was LOOSE! : I should have washed my bike before I started : but I wanted to git 'er done. I'm going to make sure there is NO dirt in anything, grease the snot out of it all, and reassemble on Sunday. Then it's on to the steering head. I'm actually really enjoying this Hopefully soon there will be a 450 cam and JD jet kit going in I'll give the Bel-Ray a try Matt, thanks for the tip

[MATTXR250R]

No Problem Chase....I got the bel-ray at the dealer for $3.97 a tub...its enough to grease to last me a LONG TIME...comes in a white tub with blue lid.

[Frakke]

No grease in 4 years???:
Normally every 2 months my bike gets a whole grease threatment. About your chain. I wash my bike after every ride and after the wash, I blowdry it with compressed air. The first thing I do after blowdrying it is grease every spring on it like footpegs, clutch, brakepedal etc. Also the chain I grease immediatly, keeps the rust away !!!

[04whyzee]

I do the same thing Frakke, except I spray the whole bike down, plastic and all, with Silicone Lube.

[Woody_393]

I'm affraid I'm with you cowboy, i haven't greased anything on my bike either. I know I need to though.

So I have a question for those of you that have done it. Do you have to press the bearings out to grease them?

I'm with you cowboy, I've been scared to tear into it for fear I wouldn't have the right tool for the job and bugger something up.... I think I'll do it saturday though.

[Frakke]

I don't press the bearings out unless they are broken. It's nothing hard to do. You just need a good pair of (I don't know the word) rattlingkeys?? Normally I'm sure you have them. I think it's necessary to grease them on a regular base because all the sand and water that gets to them won't do any good. I'm sure when you're done with it you'll say to yourself 'Was that it!!' It really isn't difficult!!

[Woody_393]

So you can grease them without taking them out?

[Frakke]

The bearings that is, yes!! You still have to take off your swingarm and all the rest to get to them. Just be sure that you put grease all around them, this is also a little filter for water and dirt to get to them!!

[Woody_393]

Right, I know I'd have to take the bike apart, I just thought I'd have to take the bearings out too.

What about the wheel bearings? How the heck do you grease those? I've put grease in there, but the bearings look sealed...?

[Frakke]

It's true, the bearings are sealed. This is to keep the dirt and everything out of it. I just put grease around them, should do the job.

[Woody_393]

That's exactly what I do now too, it just doesn't seem like enough...

[Frakke]

I've done this thing since I started riding. Never had any problems with bearings. Only a few wheelbearings but that's normal.

[Woody_393]

Okay, thanks Frakke. I appreciate your help. I hope as you say "Wow that was easy" happens to me.

[carey14]

I just wish the darn things had grease zerks............

they would get greased alot more if they had them

[Frakke]

I'm sure it will Woody

[VET393]

When I took mine apart , i put a 10 lb weight on the rear axle to balance mine out on the stand