Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Does anyone know a good place to get one of these from? I've done an extensive google search and can only find very expensive postage req'd items from UK or US. If I have no luck I have the dimensions and it may be cheaper just to get one machined up..

If by chance someone in the Sydney area owns one I would happily 'rent' it for a mutually agreeable fee, donation, present, or alcohol re-imbursement

Just use a big socket Paul? ... With a torque wrench!
You still need to email me your account details too

The old cahns right It's just a big socket. I've got one in my tool kit from when I had the beast, can't remember the exact size though, just measure it and grab one from Bunnings

ducati_paul wrote:Just use a big socket Paul? ... With a torque wrench!
You still need to email me your account details too

I do too! Thanks for the reminder Paul, I'm out at work atthe mo' on nights, so have been just researching the swingarm removal. Got the impression I'd need the specialist tool, but seems it's not necessary then? Will be getting into it as soon as I get home, which won't be for another 2 1/2 weeks

Glen wrote:The old cahns right It's just a big socket. I've got one in my tool kit from when I had the beast, can't remember the exact size though, just measure it and grab one from Bunnings

Cheers Glen, I've got a pretty extensive tool collection (ex aircraft tech) so I might have one already, but if not, always a good excuse to expand the collection

While I've got you here, did you ever have the swingarm off, or the link arms? I did one session at Eastern Creek on the weekend and had booked in with Stu to get the suspension set-up for my weight (I'm a skinner kiwi than the last owner ) and he discovered there was no bushing on the link arm through bolt in the swingarm. It's flogged the bearings out. Ducati_Paul was right next to me when I found out.. surprised us both!

No never had it out. It was originally bought by Wardy (member here) from a bloke in Qld who I think built it from a stat w/off. When I got it I discovered some issues ie bent fork legs, bent/twisted triples (replaced them) and a cracked engine mount (which I replaced) so I'd say it had been in a decent off. I never checked the rear end though as it always felt alright I thought.

You'll notice on the tank there's lots of chips under the grip stuff which suggests it's probably gone through a gravel trap at some point in its life.

It's a bit scary to think we (by the sounds of it you as well Glen) were doing the speeds we were with no bush in the swingarm! What about when you got the Suspension done Glen, Would they not have had it apart then?

ducati_paul wrote:It's a bit scary to think we (by the sounds of it you as well Glen) were doing the speeds we were with no bush in the swingarm! What about when you got the Suspension done Glen, Would they not have had it apart then?

I picked all the bits up and put them on, but the rear shock didn't need the swingarm to come out, mind you it never had any slop in it ie I would've thought it would move a bit.

Glen wrote:

ducati_paul wrote:It's a bit scary to think we (by the sounds of it you as well Glen) were doing the speeds we were with no bush in the swingarm! What about when you got the Suspension done Glen, Would they not have had it apart then?

I picked all the bits up and put them on, but the rear shock didn't need the swingarm to come out, mind you it never had any slop in it ie I would've thought it would move a bit.

Stu said to me that until the bearings started to flog out from taking all the weight, there would have been no slop/play. It's only now that the bearings and the bearing housing have got shagged that it's obvious. He still had to pull the thru' bolt to see why thou. My main concern is the bearing housing in the swingarm is damaged beyond re-use. If it isa, hopefully I'll be able to pick up one off a wreck somewhere.

Keith at Victorian Motorcycle Wreckers is good. He got the engine mount I needed. I got the triple out of the US really cheap too. Good luck with it, I thought I'd sorted all the dodgey bits, but it's a good bike. It's certainly been well used

Glen wrote:Keith at Victorian Motorcycle Wreckers is good. He got the engine mount I needed. I got the triple out of the US really cheap too. Good luck with it, I thought I'd sorted all the dodgey bits, but it's a good bike. It's certainly been well used

Cheers mate, I'm looking forward to getting this issue behind me and getting bak out for a full day. Although I only got one session and after three years off a bike, I was surprised how quickly I felt comfortable on it, as in had trust in it. Unfortunately the rider couldn't hold a line or remember what gear he was in, and didn't know what the hell he was doing in the new section of the track. But I still had fun and know that with more time in the saddle I'll come to grips with it all again.