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Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2016 11:41 pm
by vfrjim
Hi guys,
Ive recently acquired an NC30 and have been sorting it out. I want to make it presentable. Unfortunately I do not have the funds to make it Mint. Anyways Im having some bits powder coated this week such as the top rear of the frame and some smaller bits and I have now come across the swing arm which is pretty mucky.
Question is , do i clean it whilst its still fitted to the bike , or remove and do it that way?
I would love to remove it and do it but I can imagine removal will be a ball ache as the bearings would need doing and im reading that these are a pig of a job.
any recommendations?
thanks all
Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 7:34 am
by alexwitham
To remove you also need a 14mm Allen socket, the swingarm removal tool and a hefty breaker bar. I'm in the process of removing mine from a bare frame, it's not a particularly difficult job to remove and will certainly make it easier to clean.
Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 12:32 pm
by alexwitham
Correction, I think it's a 12mm not 14
Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 2:47 pm
by Dynamohum
If as said you have the castellated socket and Allen key its worth doing removal won't destroy the bearings but you can pop the outer seals off and clean check and regrease the bearings doing the same with the shock linkage bearings at same time the torque values are in the documents section If you don't have a manual .
Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 5:45 pm
by JZH
You can't properly torque the castellated nut without the special Honda tool (the one with the off-set 1/2" square drive), but a dealer should be able to do it for beer money. (Or me, if you lived nearby--I like beer, too!)
Ciao,
Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 10:37 pm
by Dynamohum
The tool can be obtained from eBay seller gbmotorcycleproducts2016 for £18 a copy of the Honda tool that allows the correct method of torque setting .
Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 12:11 am
by vfrjim
Thanks chaps. Yeah i used to have the tool once upon a time. I remember removing the swing arm a fair few years ago with my old NC30. Its just whether it worth the hassle. Although , it is good practice to greasethe bearings if I can.
Do you think it would be a bad choice to not remove it , and not grease the bearings. Will I ever see any negative comeback from not doing that in the near future?
Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 12:22 am
by vfrjim
Ok so I just ordered the tool. Why can I now see myself doing the whole bike nut and bolt. Ive been keeping myself arms length from fine detail however , I know i wont sleep if I cut corners. The budget increases haha
Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:06 am
by Dynamohum
Maybe just me but it would bug me later if I ommited doing the job having got to that point not knowing if 20 plus years of heat through frame had dried out what sometimes is very little grease on assembly was like now .
New seals are relatively inexpensive If you feel the need of total warmth and satisfaction after

Re: Swing arm - should I remove?
Posted: Thu Jul 28, 2016 9:30 am
by vfrjim
haha I agree. It is to be done !