This is just a quick post outlining the process of replacing the swingarm bearings on the /5. The bearings are slightly different from the ones on my ’84 R65 which were sealed units.
In the /5 there are 2 part tapered roller bearings and an outer grease seal as well as small thrust sleeves (like the tophat spacers in the wheel hubs)
To remove the old seals and bearings I used my Kukko puller. An expensive tool but very useful for working on these bikes. Make sure you keep the thrust sleeves safe as I have had a little trouble finding new ones of these.
After the race surfaces were cleaned out (and in fact the whole swing arm refurbished as per a previous entry) I replaced the bearings.
I packed the bearings with a custom mixture of standard grease and Honda moly paste and then put the outer races and the grease seals in the freezer for 10 minutes.
I was able to drive the outer races in with a standard bearing driver and also the use of an old valve for the final part (just happened to fit very well- I wouldn’t recommend using a valve you were intending to re-use!!). Remember that on the non-drive side there is a small flat plate that goes in first to stop grease going into the swing-arm.
After the races, the inner race was replaced followed by the seal and thrust sleeve as shown.
