K11 Owners Group

[Wrigsby1]

Apologies if previously covered and only for Paralevers...

Yesterday I changed the pivot bearings between swingarm and bevel box.

When I recently bought the LT I felt immediately that it was riding harshly over small to medium bumps, something that my last LT did not do. I thought I would “check” the bearings. Here is a good and relatively easy way to do it.

While on the centre stand - Remove back wheel, paralever bar, sit a jack under the bevel box, then remove shock absorber. Then lower or remove the jack and manually move the bevel through its arc and hey presto, chances are it will be notchy, either a bit or one hell of a lot! Mine was 7/10 in badness with 1 been smooth and 10 being seized.

Now they are changed it feel smooth and supple over small bumps rather than spine jarring. Over bigger bumps it was always OK. Also worth checking before a big spend on new shock as you won’t spot it with the shock off and the paralever bar still attached

One VERY healthy by-product was that I found the rubber boot between bevel and S/arm to have a big piece missing on the “blind side” where it is snug to the disc. I substituted the R11GS one which I can order as it’s having it’s gearbox fixed at the mo.

Water had got in (hence AWOL bearings) and the UJ and shaft had surface rust but still lots of spline lube present, but much longer, especially in Shetland salty winter and it would have been history. Worth checking as it’s a bitch to see but get an angle view, either from above or below and you should see it.

S’funny that this bike had stainless bolts, little stickers, well polished look, but has needed lots of little mechanicals done; none of which have put the bike off the road and have been low cost to the home mechanic.

Good luck!

[Saltcreek]

This sounds like something I should do. Any pics?
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

[Saltcreek]

Are we talking about the #4 bearings? Are these the ones that have a bronze bushing option described elsewhere on these pages?
_________________
Jim

1994 K1100LT Mystic Red, bfd, 37000 miles, sold
2009 Wilderness Systems Zephyr 155 ST
2002 Litespeed titanium

[Phil Marvin]

Hi, Jim,
I believe bearings #11 in the picture are what is being discussed. These are the bearings for which there are bronze bushing replacements.
_________________
Ride Safe,
Phil Marvin in El Paso, TX
'94 K75A/3
'95 K75RTP

[Wrigsby1]

Yep, bearing #11. If you see the rear of the bike move when you sit on it, the bevel/swingarm joint moves far more than the swing arm/gearbox and needs to be in good condition. This is the 2nd set replaced on different bikes and it has made an enormous difference both times.

Cheers
G