J1 Swing arm sleeve

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jez400
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:23 pm
My Bike: 1989 zxr400 J1 (SP)
Location: Nailsea, Bristol, UK

J1 Swing arm sleeve

Post by jez400 »

Does anyone know where I can source a new swing arm sleeve for my 89 J1 or know the dimensions so that I can get a new one turned? I've checked with Kawasaki and have been told it's a discontinued part.

I removed my original sleeve and as it had corroded too much to be reused and took it to a local engineering firm to get a new one made and the idiots lost it. Great can't get the bike back together without this, not happy. :smt010

One question I have also is the swing arm on a J1 the same as all H models?
Ewetea
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 148
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:04 pm
My Bike: ZXR400L5
Location: Newport Shropshire

Re: J1 Swing arm sleeve

Post by Ewetea »

A few observations for what they're worth:-
I have an L1, and the "sleeve" in the swinging arm is an aluminium tube with hardened steel collars at each end. These act as the inner races for the needle roller bearings either end of the swinging arm. A bolt goes through the middle of the sleeve, which is used to clamp up the sleeve, ball bearing and spacers to the frame, allowing the swinging arm to articulate but not move sideways. I would be surprised if you just have a plain bearing method of articulation - there would be nothing to stop it moving sideways. What material was the sleeve (brass/steel)? Are there any bearings, needle roller or ball?
From what I understand of the H models, the mark 1 had a reinforced swinging arm, and the mark 2 had one similar to the L model. What's yours look like?
Ewetea
zxr400 oc member
zxr400 oc member
Posts: 148
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2009 12:04 pm
My Bike: ZXR400L5
Location: Newport Shropshire

Re: J1 Swing arm sleeve

Post by Ewetea »

I have an H1 swinging arm which revealed some surprises today. The sleeve is a one-piece steel tube. The swinging arm has one needle roller bearing at each end, and these articulate on the ends of the sleeve. So - there is nothing to stop the swinging arm moving sideways! The L1 has two needle rollers one end, and one needle roller and a ball bearing at the other. The ball bearing stops sideways movement. The dimensions of the tube are 20mm bore, 28mm outside diameter, 230mm long. My tube is useless to you because the needle rollers have ground the surface of it. The tube may be hardened, similar to the inner race of a bearing. If that process is not available, you should consider a "tough" material, although that will have its own problems when machining. You need a specialist in motorcycle items. A suggestion is Made in Metal Motorcycles located in Stafford.
jez400
Posts: 6
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2011 8:23 pm
My Bike: 1989 zxr400 J1 (SP)
Location: Nailsea, Bristol, UK

Re: J1 Swing arm sleeve

Post by jez400 »

Thanks for taking the time to measure the sleeve. As chance would have it a friend of mine called me last night to say that he had spoken to the owner of the engineering firm that lost my sleeve and thankfully it's turned up so hopefully they will be able to make a new one for me and if not thanks for the suggested contact. I appreciate that it will need to be hardened.
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