Unitrack removal / strip-down?

Hi all,

I've just got the front brakes cleaned and re-bled on this 85 GPz550
(pre MOT / road test etc) and as I'm waiting for rear brake parts I
thought I'd check over any remaining items that could be serviced (and
/ or be MOT / general running issues).

I read somewhere (a GPz forum) that the Unitracks should ideally be
stripped, cleaned and lubed once in a while?

Either way, would it be a good idea to do so as this bike has been
standing (pretty much) for the last 7 years?

Any hints or tips re doing so would be appreciated (I've not been
given the HBOL yet). Any bits I should or shouldn't touch?

All the best ..

T i m

 

Yup. Ideally every 10-15k miles. That way you know it will come apart next
time. Ask me how I know this.

Mandatory (if you're going to keep the bike). If poorly manitained, the
small diameter 'drawn-cup' needle roller bearings often corrode and break
up, damaging the hardened shaft sliding/rotating in them. Worst case you'd
be looking at many hours fun and games cutting/grinding/hammering the lot
apart, then >£200 for new parts. If you need to fit new bearings yourself,
you'll need someone with a lathe to turn you up some insertion mandrels to
stop you wrecking the new bearings. You can also get aftermarket retrofit
nylon bushes to replace the needle rollers, but these don't last as long in
service.

Have a look at ebay for a genuine manual. They sometimes come up cheaply.

JB

 

Thanks for that Nick.

It's nice to see the before and after work and I often wonder how long
things had been left to get like that?

I believe my 550 uses needle rollers (if they haven't already been
swapped out for plain bushes) and I can picture the scene already ..
with 25 half and triangular 'needles' falling on the floor. :-(

All the best ..

T i m

 

Ok, but as I have no idea if / when they were last done I had better
do so.

Yup. And there's nothing like knowing all the intimacies of yer steed
is there (well I think so anyway).

Understood. I don't know that I am but the only way I'm not is if 1) I
find out there is something major wrong with it once I get it on the
road and / or 2) I really don't like the ride (bike or fit etc).

Been there, seen that .. :-(

And that's the killer isn't it JB, the cost of some of this stuff. And
I'm not sure that adding £200 worth of parts is going to make it any
more than 'a hack'?

Myford ML10 and some steel / ally stock in the workshop (and I like
finding genuine reasons to use the lathe).

I've just picked up a handbook (for an A1 though and mines an A2) and
I have been using the fiche stuff from here (which is brilliant)

http://www.cmsnl.com/kawasaki-1985-a2-zx550_model12811/partslist/

But a manual would be great.

All the best and thanks ..

T i m

p.s. Do I just drop the Unitrack link off the monoshock, frame and
swinging arm or is there anything to do on the damper top mount
please?

 

You can leave the shock in place (at the top mount anyway).

JB

 

Nylon bushes? They lasted a few months on my scooter, I got some proper
phosphor bronze bushes turned up, and a couple of grease nipples put in,
so I could grease the thing on a regular basis.

 

That's what I tried, but alas the only bolt I couldn't get out was the
lower monoshock bolt, so the Unitrack / Monoshock has just come out as
a lump.

I've just given it a Gunk down and might get back in the workshop
later and see if I can tempt that bolt out.

The bolt is loose enough (as in turning round and moving back and
forth a bit but won't actually come out). I'll give it a jiggle, lube
and some gentle swearing and see what happens. ;-)

All the best ..

T i m

 

Those were they days eh Muck, when such things came with grease
nipples, none of this 'sealed for life' nonsense. Mind you, that seems
to suit our disposable age?

But maybe that will change soon. As the base material becomes more
expensive and the energy required to machine them goes up as well,
maybe more folk will look to repairing stuff again ... ?

All the best ..

T i m

 

First, the good news, it's all stripped down and cleaned (well the
Unitrack itself, I've not removed the drop links from the swinging arm
yet).

Some 'news' is that all the bearings are black nylon (or a plastic of
some sort).

The ok news is the front bearing (were the Unitrack joins the frame)
is in fairly good nick and all slid out pretty cleanly and lubed.

The medium news is the middle bushing (the swinging arm links) isn't
very pretty. I've cleaned it up a bit but it's still quite pitted.

The worse news is the bushing that joins the monoshock is quite rough
(even when cleaned it's quite pitted).

I assume if it was a real needle roller bearing then it would all be
lubed up with a lithium grease etc. Being nylon these bushes probably
shouldn't be lubricated and hence if water gets in, the steel rusts
and we get the problems. :-(

Based on the idea that soft wears hard, I wonder if I made replacement
bushes in brass they would work better against the nylon than steel
(but would they be strong enough)?

<shrug>

All the best ..

T i m

 

Get a fucking life would you!

I've just fitted a set of forks to my BMW that came fully equipped
with grease nipples and different sized sockets required on the nut
and the bolt.

You seem to think that old is good and as long as you can chirp about
shit like grease nipples you've got it made. Get out there and ride
bikes because they're fun and not because it's some kind of retro
fashion statement.

 

They were originally all needle rollers, so someone's already swapped them
out. Just machine some more bushes up in Nylatron. I've got a metre or two
of ~30mm dia at work I can let you have a few bits of if you like.
Email me at jMbyrne_AT_greenyonder_DOT_co_DOTuk (changing the colour to blue
obviously).

JB

 

I fitted my ones, because you start doubling the power of a scooter, and
the standard kit tends to wear out quickly. It was a case of having to
modify everything to cope with the increase in power.

 

Ok ..

That sounds fancy?

Oh, you are very kind.

Will do.

Another thought, what about (me) turning the inner bushes in
stainless?

All the best ..

T i m

 

And if you had one you might not be so fascinated with mine?

That's nice.

Is that right?

Oh, so we all have to do what Andy Bonwick says and for the reasons he
states now eh?

This may offend your whole weird little trip but I don't generally
ride motorbikes for fun. I really can't see how getting cold, soaking
wet or risking getting killed by a wet manhole cover or a nob in a
Volvo could be considered fun in any case. Add to that no better fuel
economy than my car, carrying 3 less people and 1/4 tonne less stuff
.... a right winner if you ask me.

However, I've always had motorcycles and I like to work and ride on
them for my own reasons, but as there *are* no other reasons in your
blinkered world I won't bother trying to educate you any further. ;-)

All the best and please do continue being part of my life.

T i m

 

Certainly not. As a recipe for sanity, that would be a disaster.

eh? What other reason is there?

 

**** knows, seems a daft thing to say to me too.

 

Hehe.

Efficient transport in congested areas.
Easier parking in congested areas.
An 'alternative' form of transport (for a change).
They used to be more economical than most cars.
Easier to maintain (lighter engineering, better access).

HTH.

All the best ..

T i m

 

Bollocks. A push-bike is much better.

Push-bike.

So why do you want a 120mph motorbike instead? Could it possibly be
because it's more fun?

--
_______
..'_/_|_\_'. Ace (b.rogers at ifrance.com)
\`\ | /`/
`\\ | //' BOTAFOT#3, SbS#2, UKRMMA#13, DFV#8, SKA#2, IBB#10
`\|/`
`

 

A push bike can be more efficient under some (many) circumstances but
the bike is more efficient than a car and for my general usage.

Agreed, sort of. You can generally leave a motorbike locked (to
itself) and unattended in the road and not get it stolen. Not the case
with a push bike.

Yup, and I've got a MTB, Trail bike and tandem.

I don't, I would happily have it limited to 80 mph (to allow
overtaking on the motorway). I got it because it was cheap, not
because how fast it went. I got it so that our Daughter could have the
CB Two Fifty (for the moment). [1]

It could be but in this case it isn't.

Some thoughts for you then (I was going to say 'questions' but as some
of you appear to know me better than I know myself).

Ok, in my 35+ years riding motorcycles, how many sports bikes have I
had?

How many times have I done 'the ton'?

How many times have I been out on rides 'wiv me mates'.

How many points have I got on my licence?

How many times have I been tugged by the police (on a bike)?

Good luck.

All the best ..

T i m

[1] I phoned her insurance company yesterday (she was on a driving
lesson) re transferring her policy from her scooter to my CB. Her
existing Co wouldn't even offer her cover but they did find one who
would offer TPFT at £900 (via the NU). TP only was £484 via AXA.

 

I'm beginning to think that actually, you are a bit of a tit.

All the best...