How To Replace Swingarm Bushings | Reaming The Bushes Of A Triumph Bonneville T140V | 23

How To Replace Swingarm Bushings | Reaming The Bushes Of A Triumph Bonneville T140V | 23

In this episode I replace the bushings in the swingarm of my 1975 Triumph Bonneville T140V.

Here's what I used in this video:
VEVOR Bushing Extractor Kit: https://ebay.us/f10z0D OR https://s.vevor.com/bfRw3t (code VEVR5OFF)
Adjustable Reamer Set: https://ebay.us/fsjO6I
Triumph T140 Swingarm Bushing Kit: https://ebay.us/sEd0K1
Long punch: https://ebay.us/6RoKYS
Ball Pein Hammer 16oz: https://ebay.us/wqrMCA
Imperial Combination Spanner Set: https://ebay.us/gYz85M
Imperial 1/2inch Socket set: https://ebay.us/jylH05
Imperial Allen Hex Bit Sockets: https://ebay.us/iFV0OQ

I am changing the swingarm of my barn find Triumph T140V Bonneville motorcycle. The original swingarm had quite a lot of rust, and would require a lot of work to make it cosmetically good. As I had a good spare one I decided to change it.

Whichever one I was going to use, I had already decided that I would replace the bushings in it, as I wanted all of the suspension on this bike to be new. The bushings and the pivot bobbins that run inside them are not very expensive so while I had the bike apart it was an ideal time to do the job.

Replacing swingarm bushings can be a fiddly job, and a lot of people tend to avoid it. In reallity it isn't too difficult, but can require a couple of specific tools to complete the job. The main pinch points with the job are removing the old bushings, which have probably lived there for a few decades, and making sure that the internal diameter is the right size for the pivot to be a good fit.

Removing the old bushings can be an issue as the are quite thin and there are four of them. In this case I managed to catch them quite easily with a good punch. Tapping them on alternate sides soon got them moving, I only had to go up to my 1 pound hammer :)

If this hadn't worked three other methods that can be tried; are using a bushing puller, but this requires having exactly the right size of tube to fit the bushings; using an hacksaw blade to cut through the bushing, but not the swingarm, to release the tension on them; or finally one from the Triumph Workshop Manual, catch the edge of the bushing with a cold chisel to move it away from the swingarm so that you have a place to catch the bushing to pull or push it out. I usually find that the method I use works well, especially if you have a punch with sharp edges.

To put the new bushings in I used a bushing extractor/puller which is from a kit provided by Vevor, which has come in very handy. Previously I would have used a threaded bar with washers, but this is not as good as the equipment in the Vevor kit. You can try to tap them in with a hammer, but this does risk damaging the edges of the bushings so isn't recommended.

Having go them in it is important that they are the right size for the bobbins or pivot to be a good sliding fit in them. Sometimes the bobbins will just go straight in and be a goo fit, but usually like in this case they will be too tight. To ease the inside of the hole you use an adjustable reamer. This is a tool with cutting blades that can be moved out a little at a time to remove a little of the surface of the bushing, until it is a good fit. It is important not to take out too much material, and to use a lot of lubricant while using the reamer to cut the metal.

It didn't take long and I soon had the bobbins a good sliding fit. I then put in some new grease nipples for use when servicing the bike in future. The final thing that I did was add a lot of grease before finally sliding the bobbins in to give them a good start in life.

I can't wait to get this swingarm on the frame now and get the rolling chassis built up. I am still hoping to ride this bike this Spring.

For more helpful how-to guides and restoration project logs, visit our blog: https://www.spannerrash.com/

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