i'm looking a bit of advice here guys.
the swing arm spindle on my VFR400R sticks out further on the nut side than my other bikes.
on the 14mm allen key side the locknut sits nearly flush with the spindle so i'm thinking there should be same sort of spacer on the allen side just after the threaded piece before it sits inside the swingarm.
either that or is there a difference in size between the RVF400R and the VFR400R threaded pieces.
need a bit of help with a swing arm problem
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- royster81
- NWAA Supporter
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- Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 8:04 pm
- Bike owned: VFR400R-L NC30 CBR400RR-R NC29
- Location: Belfast,Northern Ireland
need a bit of help with a swing arm problem
It's not having what you want but wanting what you've got....Loud ,Proud and Modified ....
- thunderace
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- Posts: 1584
- Joined: Fri Sep 10, 2010 9:03 pm
- Bike owned: R6, YZF600R
- Location: Blackburn, Lancs.
Re: need a bit of help with a swing arm problem
Does it really matter?
Conventional wisdom says to know your limits. To know your limits you need to find them first. Finding your limits generally involves getting in over your head and hoping you live long enough to benefit from the experience. That's the fun part.
- speedy231278
- NWAA Supporter
- Posts: 1549
- Joined: Tue Jul 03, 2012 11:58 am
- Bike owned: RVF400, TZR125, ZXR750R
Re: need a bit of help with a swing arm problem
Are you comparing this visual difference on two different models (ie the VFR to an RVF, not another VFR)? If so, that in itself might be the problem! The swingarm is different, I can't remember which end, but I' sure one end has a smaller dimension between the the bearings/seals/etc (ie it's a narrower section), so the liklihood is that everything will look a little different.royster81 wrote:is there a difference in size between the RVF400R and the VFR400R threaded pieces.
Doing a side-by-side comparison of the VFR vs RVF pivot arrangement:
The long bolt is different (52101-MR8-000 vs 52101-MR8-900) . The first five digits being the same usually indicate the part is specific to the application, ie you'll probably find that other bikes swingarm pivot bolts start 52101. MR8 normally indicates the part is specific to at least the NC30 and NC35 (not sure about other NCs as I don't have one). 000 usually seems to indicate an NC30 part. 900 usually indicates that the part has been altered to fit the NC35 and won't fit anything else. Subtle revisions where the part is superceded (ie backward compatible) usually manifest themselves as a change in the last digit, for example some RVF RR model parts were slightly altered and changed from 900 to 901 and sometimes from 901 to 902. In this instance, I would make the dangerous assumption that the pivot bolt is a different length, going back to the original thought about the cross section of the swingarm.
The long internal pivot collar is different (52102-MR8-000 vs 52141-MR8-900) and the different leading part number suggests a big difference.
The external pivot collar is different (52106-MR7-000 vs 52143-MR8-900).
The threaded pivot adjuster is different (52109-MR8-000 vs 52109-MR8-900). The difference in suffix only suggests a small change, however a change it is, so something must be different.
The flange nut is different (90305-MB3-003 vs 90305-ME5-003). According to the fiches, it is 18mm for the VFR and 16mm for the RVF. Therefore at very least the thread on the end of the pivot bolt is smaller, and it seems logical that the shaft would be as well.
The castle nut is the same 90355-469-000. This suggests the head of the pivot bolt is the same size, however doesn't answer the question about the diameter of it
The needle bearing set on the left is different (91071-MR7-003 vs 91071-MT7-003), and although the dimensions listed for both are 28x37x30 one does not supercede the other according to DSS.
The two ball bearing races on the right are different (91072-MR7-003 vs 96100-60030-10). The VFR is listed as 20x37x9, no size listed for the RVF.
The circlip is different (94250-37000 vs 94250-35000). The VFR is 2mm larger, which also goes to hep the conclusions that the pivot is 2mm smaller on the RVF. The first two digits of the second half of the part number indicate the size.
The left dust seal is different (91202-MR7-003 vs 91258-HB3-003). 28x37x4 for the VFR and 37x25x6 for the RVF. I'm wondering if that's not a typo on the RVF fiche and it should be 25x37x6...
The right dust seal is different (91214-MR7-003 vs 91205-VM6-003). 26x37x5 against 23x35x7.
So, the two bikes are apples and oranges. Also, given the fact that the threaded collar is used to adjust the pivot, does it just mean the bolt is just sat slightly further over to one side? As long as everything is secure and the swingarm is correctly aligned, surely everything is OK?
As for spacers and the like, on the pivot bolt, there is the castle nut and threaded adjuster on one side which bear against the collar inside the swingarm, and a flanged coller on the other side that goes under the nut and locates against the other side collar inside the swingarm. The swingarm itself has a dust seal and a single needle bearing race on the left side, and a dust seal, a circlip and a pair of ball bearing races on the right side. There is no additional spacer between the threaded collar and the internal pivot collar.

- force-v4
- Site Supporter
- Posts: 304
- Joined: Fri Jan 01, 2010 9:47 pm
- Bike owned: Far too many now!
- Location: Buckinghamshire
Re: need a bit of help with a swing arm problem
There is a top hat insert / washer thing that pushes into the swing-arm & sticks out on the l/h/s (as if you're sitting on it) is that in place?
-
- Regular Member
- Posts: 501
- Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:33 pm
- Bike owned: VFR400 NC30x2
- Location: Bristol
Re: need a bit of help with a swing arm problem
Good shout! When I put mine back together I forgot that bush and had to take it all apart again!!