Can't shift the dirt on my 916 swingarm, it seems to be ingested in. I've tried all sorts such as Scottish bright + autosol but doesn't touch it. Next step to try aluminium cleaner or acid based cleaners. The swingarm isn't grey like most it's almost a bare cast aluminium. Is this an early swingarm? Cheers Haydn
brake cleaner and lots of elbow grease. Don't use a pad that's too abrasive either, but I guess you already knew that :tongue:
Your swing arm has probably been polished at some time. The original grey finish is very thin and scratches very easily, you would be better off having the swing arm coated in some way, probably powdercoating would be best. It will be a big job though as it requires engine removal, although I believe there is a tool that spreads the frame to allow removal.
I used a nailbrush, normal washing stuff and just some good old fashioned elbow grease on my old 748... It came up a right treat.
I've tried brake cleaner and it didn't touch it. Doesn't look like it's been polished as the rough finish is still there but no sign of the grey standard coating. The dirt seems to have got into the surface. I've already got a CF cover on it but there are still large areas visible. Does the engine have to be removed or can you support it and just lower it enough for the job?
You can support the engine and remove the swing arm bolt. They will either slip out nicely......or not!
Have you tried the concrete cleaning arrowhead nozzle on a power washer? That will shift any ingrained dirt - just be careful to protect bearings and chain - I do this by draping old hand towels over top and bottom chain runs, swingarm pivot points and sprocket
you need to separate or lift the frame from the engine high enough to then remove the collars for the swing arm bushes away from a recess in the frame..it is different to later bikes where the outer parts of the bushes are just flush with the frame...
I think its a shame no one has invented some kind of cleaner for something like,oh Idont know,say brick.
