Linkage help please!
 

I cannot get the top bolt out of the linkage, damn thing will not clear the frame (right by the kick stand mount). Is there a trick I'm missing?

Any help ASAP would be great, have it in pieces in the garage!

linkage
 

Is the swingarm off? Pretty sure you have to take everything off to get last bolt out. Not sure if thats the one youre having problems with . Is every other bolt out ?

The one up the front that mounts through the 2 x rockers require you to remove the 2 bolts on the rocker tab thingos. Then remove the whole assembly to get the last bolt out. Its a real pain in the anoose!

Thanks for the replies guys, I ended up pulling the swing arm - can't see any other way of getting the "upper" bolt out without doing so :mad:

Nothing like a ~2 hour project turning into 5 hours...lol.

Good news is everything's all greased and ready to go.

I try to attach an image of the swing arm - hope I got it right... My bike is 2009 EC300.

I guess you are referring to bolt #5 in the attached image. How do you get it out w/o removing the swing arm? On my bike, the bolt has indeed been off because unlike in the image, now it comes in from the left side...

I am asking this because I'd like to lube the link bearings, and while the shock was being overhauled, I could not figure out how to remove the linkage.

Based on the parts diagram, one needs to remove the rocker arm (Part #8) from the bike in order to be able to remove the 110 mm long top bolt (#5), and overhaul the bearings. The rocker arm is fastened to the bike via retainer support plates (#9, #12) which in turn are bolted to the frame at the bottom (#10) and the long swing arm bolt (#23) goes through the retainers' top holes? Is this right? There is a link below to a Dropbox image.

Wouldn't it be easiest to undo the two short bolts which fasten the rocker arm retainer side supports to the frame, and then start undoing the swing arm bolt which goes through the side plates' upper holes? And while removing the swing arm bolt, push in a suitable rod to keep the swing arm in place, and pull the bolt enough just to free both side plates?

Link to hi-def image: https://www.dropbox.com/s/lbzwde1uwr...asgas.PNG?dl=0

I have sourced new parts for swing arm and linkage bearings. The bearings I got (w/ the exception of the shock bottom bearing) are with needle cages.

Are the original bearings also w/ cages?

They come either way.
Without cage has more needles, better load distribution.

Yeah, they only have half the number of needles.

Another question: there is no grease at all in the bearings. Any pointers how to thoroughly lube them (should I first immerse them in oil or...)?