Regular Froum visitors may have seen my post about buying a BST carbon swingarm for the 1098R over Christmas. 1098R Carbon Edition Well, with another day free, and not being able to get out and ride, I fitted it yesterday. Here's how it went for those needing to remove their swing arm or maybe do some other maintenance. Bike on the ramp ready for surgery. Before I did anything, I wanted to make sure I could remove the swingarm bolt as if I couldn't, it was a show stopper. I had a 916 years ago that had a siezed one and it was a pig to get out.The 1098R had a full engine and gearbox rebuild at John Hackett about 4 years ago so I was hopeful the bolt would be well greased and easy to remove. OK, loosen the RHS nut a couple of turns, put an old extension bar on the socket and give it a tap......It moves straight away with very little effort. Result and I can continue. Luckily, I have non folding foot pegs fitted (Gilles VCR) so I could use axle stands under them to take the weight of the bike without some awkward jacking up elsewhere. I'm still waiting for my chain splitter to arrive and as I needed a longer chain to accomodate the longer swing arm, I knew I wasn't going to be using this chain on this bike again. So I ground the joining link off to remove it. Chain off. Sprocket off. Brake caliper and disc / shaft removed. One thing I had seen elsewhere when removing the rear hub was the presence of water in the swing arm. Mine was no different, although not too bad. If I had been refitting the original swingarm, I may have looked into drilling a small hole on the underside of the arm, beneath the hub. I made the decision to remove the rear shock and rocker to allow me to clean everything I can't usually get at, including the rear of the engine. I had no corrosion when removing parts, but the nooks and crannies were a bit dirty in places. Swing arm pivot bolt out with a bit of a tap. It was a little dry, so fully cleaned and greased before refitting. 1st problem. With the bike having the full race exhaust system, there was no way the swing arm was coming out with the exhaust in place, no matter how much I twisted and turned it. I had seen videos of 848's having the swing arm removed with the zorts in place, but no way on this bike. Then I would have to do the same fitting the BST arm with every chance of scratching it............Exhaust off. Swing arm out. (I know there is a nice selection of hammers in this picture. But sometimes stuff does need a small tap). An inspection of the bike and parts has shown no corrosion (Never used in the wet) Nothing is leaking, but it does need a clean. So I cleaned the engine, the shock and rocker assembly, then every other part as I refitted it. Right. Bike ready for the BST arm. What does it need from the old arm? Looking at it. 3 x spacers on the pivot. Underside chain guard 2 x hub pinch bolts Brake caliper assembly location pin. All parts removed from the old arm, cleaned and fitted to the new arm. Lift the swingarm into place. Fit pivot bolt & rocker assembly. Zorsts back on. Hub, Shaft, Brake caliper, Sprocket all refitted. Measured up for a new chain and ordered today. Original was 98 links, looks like I need 100 with the additional length. Nearly job jobbed. Rear hub is still loose and I will refit correctly with high temperature grease, but I don't have any as of yet. Another item ordered.
Awesome project and stunning swingarm. I would be scared to death of scratching it. Have you considered using a ceramic coat on it to give it a bit of protection? I've done it my carbon bits and paint with good results.
I went through all this just last week. Seems like a bit of a job but once you get stuck in, not so bad is it?
@Robarano .I know you said things might need a tap with reference to your assorted hammers but a lump hammer . By the way as I know you like things to be tip top, bit of Red paint for the bike lift or is that just wipe off oil?
Anyone looking to do their swingarm but dont have fixed rear sets, switch them over so they are upside down: they they are fixed
A lump hammer with a light tap, actually gives you a lot of control and allows you to be more delicate. It doesn't mean you are mashing away at stuff.
Phew, I had visions of you banging the living daylights out of something, any update on the bike lift, appreciated.
Lovely job mate, what’s the weight difference between them. Are you concerned about significantly altering the weight balance of the bike?
