[FJRpilot1977]

Before I become prematurely heartbroken over my idea to use the my Abba Skylift to perform the rear suspension linkage and swing arm pivot bearing maintenance, to those that have done this job before, is the lift going to get in the way of being able to remove everything? I can't fully extend the center stand because of Abba's
crossmember going through that area. Any hope? I thought I remember hearing that the center stand needs to be fully extended at one point to remove. I hope I'm wrong.

What mileage are people lubricating the swingarm pivot/needle bearing? I have seen no posts of bearing failure so thinking of skipping for now since my '16 has only 21.5k miles. I usually don't skip anything, but it seems like it can go a bit. At least double the 16k interval. Opinions?

 

[fjrlee]

You can lube three out of the four (including the most exposed) linkage bearings with the bike on the centre stand and a support under the rear tyre to stop it dropping. If you remove the rear wheel you can also remove the swing arm completely.

In fact the abba skylift just gets in the way (and I have a skylift myself) for work in this area tbh.

 

[FJRpilot1977]

You can lube three out of the four (including the most exposed) linkage bearings with the bike on the centre stand and a support under the rear tyre to stop it dropping. If you remove the rear wheel you can also remove the swing arm completely.

In fact the abba skylift just gets in the way (and I have a skylift myself) for work in this area tbh.

When you say the Skylift is in the way, do you mean it can still be done, just with some annoyance? I will move forward with swingarm maintenance as well, if that us the case.

Have you tried to use a standard putbull or similar front fork stand while using the skylift to achieve a level lift?

 

[RaYzerman]

Does your Skylift leave the front wheel on the ground? If so, lift the rear end higher, and there may be a point you can get the centerstand fully deployed.
You can remove the entire swingarm, however you'll find those bearings don't really need any service.
Alternately, when wanting to remove that front relay arm bolt, a couple or three have successfully done it without centerstand removal. Remove left muffler, undo right muffler at rear and use to pry the exhaust over slightly, bolt may just come out. May help to remove the two bolts, either side of the centerstand to let the exhaust header move a bit more.

 

[fjrlee]

The Skylift can have the bike level, wheelie or stoppie position based on using the cam strap off the extension arm or not (which is the stoppie nose down).

IMO having the splayed legs of the lift under the centre stand, the extension arm with the cam belt around the swingarm to tilt the bike, and the lift beam right under the engine near the footpegs clutters up the work area unnecessarily.

In fact, using the cam belt around the swingarm to adjust the tilt of the bike means you can't remove the swingarm anyway.

 

[FJRpilot1977]

The Skylift can have the bike level, wheelie or stoppie position based on using the cam strap off the extension arm or not (which is the stoppie nose down).

IMO having the splayed legs of the lift under the centre stand, the extension arm with the cam belt around the swingarm to tilt the bike, and the lift beam right under the engine near the footpegs clutters up the work area unnecessarily.

In fact, using the cam belt around the swingarm to adjust the tilt of the bike means you can't remove the swingarm anyway.

Interesting. I have used all functions of skylift on previous motorcycke but ABBA told me in an email NOT to lift FJR in any way other than "stoppie" position due to they didnt feel there was a strong enough place to strap onto, including swingarm. I was only asking
about lifting it up level for detailing purposes, not for this job. But good to know.

 

[fjrlee]

If you were in the stoppie position only, then you could grease the three linkages - the base of the shock and both ends of the dog bones. These are the ones that get the most salt/crap on them. You could also remove the swing arm if the front was down, but the lift mechanism is still in the way to some extent.

The linkages can be done in under an hour just on the centre stand, as can the swing arm removal. This is one case where a bike lift table is easier than a Skylift.

 

[Linton West]

At that mileage the swing arm bearings will not benefit from lubricating. As fjrlee says, just lube the 3 that are easy to get at. The best time to do it is when you change the rear tyre. Loosen off the nuts with the bike on the side stand, then put on centre stand and continue. With the bolts removed you can lift the swing arm, which will need to be rested on an axle stand and you will find that it moves up and down easilly with no need for lubrication. Also swing the linkage on the remaining bolt and that will also swing easilly and not need lubricating. Grease the other bearings, but how ever much you put on them, most of it will be pushed off as you re-assemble the linkage, which proves that taking the bike apart to grease all these bearings is, generally, a waste of time. The shock adsorber bearing is the one that siezes up, so pay particular attention to that and the needle bearings. Eventually the needle bearings will stop turning, even when well greased and at that stage will need replacing, which is a very easy job as long as you have a large 'G' clamp and some sockets. There again no need to remove the linkage, as it will still be swinging free. Put a socket on the bearing, put the 'G' clamp on it and wind it in. The bearing will pop out and then just wind a new one in. I have done this several times and it only takes a few minutes.

 

[FJRpilot1977]

I completed the rear suspension job over the weekend. Thanjs for the input on my lift especially. I appreciated the Skylift, even though it does get in the way. I opted to not service the swing arm pivot's 1 needle bearing. I will look at that in 16-32k more miles.

It seems two of the three bearings in the relay arm didn't really need lubricated at all. The little clear plastic sleeve inside retains grease and prevents most water intrusion. The one without the sleeve was a little more dry. I lubricated all three anyway with fuch's waterproof grease. I also cleaned & lubricated u-joint/output, drive shaft, and diff splines with loctite moly.

The only things that I have left to do maintenance-wise is spark plugs (even though 21k is a bit early), & replace my brake and clutch lines with steel braided. I know Yamaha recommends replacing the lines every so often at an overly-cautious interval. I like to convert to steel braided for the brake feel on every bike I own. I usually use Galfer's lines. If there's any go-to lines for the FJR that anyone wants to share, feel free.

 

[bounce]

You can lube three out of the four (including the most exposed) linkage bearings with the bike on the centre stand and a support under the rear tyre to stop it dropping. If you remove the rear wheel you can also remove the swing arm completely.

In fact the abba skylift just gets in the way (and I have a skylift myself) for work in this area tbh.

Rear Swing Arm Service

 

[CollingsBob]

Now contact Russell Holden for one of his relay arms that has had grease fittings installed.

 

[Whooshka]

Now contact Russell Holden for one of his relay arms that has had grease fittings installed.

How? Do you have an email addy or phone #?

 

[2GENAE]

How? Do you have an email addy or phone #?

Russell Holden is on Facebook, I have his home address but his email is AWOL ....but I can contact him if you don't have Face Book.
I purchased a pivot arm from him with grease zerks several months, it's time to install it before summer.

 

[Whooshka]

Thanks 2GENAE but CollingsBob PM'd me the contact info. Much appreciated tho'.

 

[cyclopops]

Before I become prematurely heartbroken over my idea to use the my Abba Skylift to perform the rear suspension linkage and swing arm pivot bearing maintenance, to those that have done this job before, is the lift going to get in the way of being able to remove everything? I can't fully extend the center stand because of Abba's
crossmember going through that area. Any hope? I thought I remember hearing that the center stand needs to be fully extended at one point to remove. I hope I'm wrong.

What mileage are people lubricating the swingarm pivot/needle bearing? I have seen no posts of bearing failure so thinking of skipping for now since my '16 has only 21.5k miles. I usually don't skip anything, but it seems like it can go a bit. At least double the 16k interval. Opinions?

The Skylift can have the bike level, wheelie or stoppie position based on using the cam strap off the extension arm or not (which is the stoppie nose down).

IMO having the splayed legs of the lift under the centre stand, the extension arm with the cam belt around the swingarm to tilt the bike, and the lift beam right under the engine near the footpegs clutters up the work area unnecessarily.

In fact, using the cam belt around the swingarm to adjust the tilt of the bike means you can't remove the swingarm anyway.

Hi, can I ask for pictures of how you have connected to the swingarm To have it level?

 

[FJRpilot1977]

Hi, can I ask for pictures of how you have connected to the swingarm To have it level?

Unfortunately, I'm only able to lift the rear. The Abba Skylift by itself cannot make the FJR level for two reasons, one, nothing to connect to and two, Abba doesn't believe the swing arm is strong enough to be able to support the bike that fashion. I used a jack stand for the front which brought both wheels off the ground at the, enough for me to do the rear suspension work. It didn't feel incredibly stable for some reason., when assisting the Abba with a stand like that. I don't know that I would really recommend this method in the long run.

 

[RaYzerman]

At 21k, you're probably in decent shape.......

Alternate plan...... this will allow you to inspect/lube all but the front relay arm bearing, which is high and not subject to very much "weather". Ditch the Abba, put bike on centerstand. Piece of wood under the rear tire to pry up and down on..... remove lower shock mount bolt, remove rear dogbone bolt. Pivot relay arm down/forward, now you can use tools on the middle bearing where the other end of the dogbones are. Remove all bushings, check bushings for corrosion and pitting, if OK re-use, if bad, check the bearing also for rust..... note, there is a fragile brown plastic retainer holding the needles equally spaced, do not damage it by too vigorous cleaning..... hopefully no issue. If no issue, grease the bearings and spread grease with a thin popsicle stick.... OK to have some excess, when you reinsert the bushing, excess grease will be pushed out. The idea is you have enough grease in there to prevent further water intrusion.

If bushings terribly pitted and rusty, likely the bearing is too...... probably should be replaced..... centerstand removal then required and replace bearings in a bench vice.....