Hi
I am restoring a 1958 B31
I it striped down to the frame but finding it impossible to remove the swinging arm.
the bushes are good with no play at all so I am thinking of leaving it in place and getting it shot blasted and sprayed as it is.
I had intended having it powder coated but this would not be possible with the rubber bushes in place. My only apprehension is will this give me problems in the future and should I replace the bushes while I am in there. I have what I believe to be the original clock with only 32,000 on it, so the bushes wont have done very much.
any thoughts on this would be much appreciated
if its anything like the B40 Im working on, its seized in the frame section and only moved with a hydraulic press. had to come out due to play in bushes.
I would not leave built up and get shot blasted as its likely that grit and dirt will get down past bush and do more damage, if its done low mileage you might find that as soon as you start using it the rubbers may tear. I bought a Kawasaki 750 off a person who had had it sat in his garage for 2 years. got it back, serviced it and took for a mot. on return from the mot the rear shocks had blown, they had lasted long enough for the test but were dripping back at the unit.
Hi,
I guess you have the silent bloc (metalastic) bushes, these were designed to last the life of the machine.
If you go down the route of removing them you will probably need to cut the swinging arm spindle to remove the swing arm. Then burn out the rubber finally removing the bush outer metal cases. Beware if you do this, because the spindle is firm in the bushes when you burn the rubber out, the air pressure in the swinging arm tube will violently blow the last of the rubber out. It isn't the easiest job and I recommend you get replacement bushes before starting as these can be difficult to source. There is an option to replace the bushes with a needle bearing conversion, I have a design please pm me if you go down that route.
Unless you want a showroom bike I would leave well alone. The grit will not get into the rubber of the bush which is the moving part, so blowing out any residual grit with air will suffice.
Another option is to power coat with the bushes in place. I have read others have done this without a problem. If it doesn't work then replace the bushes.
Best wishes...
Many thanks for your replies, I see powder coating is 350 deg C but only for 10 to 15 minuets. I will speak to the spray shop and see what they say, if it all goes wrong even after the bike is built back up I think I would be able to get a hack saw blade between swing arm and frame to cut through tube and can then press bushes out. I like to have a plan B. I not going for a showroom job I like a bike I can use with out worrying about it
thanks again