PhotoAl
Junior Member
Bought a 2007 swingarm and shock from Flosabe and put it on last weekend. Learned some stuff along the way so decided to post a quick "how I did it".
Step 1. Cleaned up the "new" swingarm, removed all the old grease from the bearings including the shock bearing. Used no residue brake and parts cleaner (outside because it will burn and is BAD to breath). Dried everything off and applied new waterproof grease.
Step 2. Take the old swingarm off.
Step 2a. You will need to remove the cat pipe or midpipe. Put bike on centerstand. Loosen the header nuts and removed the header support bracket bolt (located under the engine). Loosen the cat pipe lower clamp. The objective is to loosen the header and slide it forward but not so much the round gaskets slide out - difficult to get back in place. Separate header from bottom of cat pipe. Remove cat pipe upper hanger bolt and loosen the top clamp. Carefully twist and separate cat pipe. You should have enough space to carefully lower the cat pipe to the ground and remove it to a safe place.
View attachment 39797
View attachment 39798
View attachment 39799
Step 2b. Remove rear wheel and hugger. Place some wood block under the rear of the swingarm so it will have support when you unbolt the shock.
Step 2c. Remove the top shock bolt. Once this bolt is removed there is nothing to support the swingarm other than the frount bolt - it will drom down if not supported.
View attachment 39800
Step 2d. Remove the swingarm bolt nut - I used a 1 1/16 inch socket as the proper metric socket was not in my toolbox. Slide the bolt out and remove the swingarm and shock.
Step 3. Install new swingarm in the reverse order. Check the torque values for the nuts and bolts. I always use thread locker (Honda red) on all bolts except the swingarm and rear axle - @ 87 foot pounds they should not come loose.
I re-used the dust caps on the swingarm pivot and the rear axel nut. The rear axel washer on the left side is a different part number. Have one on order. The 2004 washer is too large in diameter so cut off a little on two sides so it would fit. Final photo is the bike with the new swingarm. I like the look of the black swingarm and hugger with the rest of the bike silver, draws more attention to the frame and engine. Even my daughter thinks it looks better than the old swingarm.
View attachment 39803
How does it work: The shock had 3,500 miles on it and seems to be firmer than the old one which had 30,000 miles on it. Adjustment of the chain tension is much easier now. Most important part is that I shave 1 pound off the bike.
Thanks to Flosabe for the parts!
Step 1. Cleaned up the "new" swingarm, removed all the old grease from the bearings including the shock bearing. Used no residue brake and parts cleaner (outside because it will burn and is BAD to breath). Dried everything off and applied new waterproof grease.
Step 2. Take the old swingarm off.
Step 2a. You will need to remove the cat pipe or midpipe. Put bike on centerstand. Loosen the header nuts and removed the header support bracket bolt (located under the engine). Loosen the cat pipe lower clamp. The objective is to loosen the header and slide it forward but not so much the round gaskets slide out - difficult to get back in place. Separate header from bottom of cat pipe. Remove cat pipe upper hanger bolt and loosen the top clamp. Carefully twist and separate cat pipe. You should have enough space to carefully lower the cat pipe to the ground and remove it to a safe place.
View attachment 39797
View attachment 39798
View attachment 39799
Step 2b. Remove rear wheel and hugger. Place some wood block under the rear of the swingarm so it will have support when you unbolt the shock.
Step 2c. Remove the top shock bolt. Once this bolt is removed there is nothing to support the swingarm other than the frount bolt - it will drom down if not supported.
View attachment 39800
Step 2d. Remove the swingarm bolt nut - I used a 1 1/16 inch socket as the proper metric socket was not in my toolbox. Slide the bolt out and remove the swingarm and shock.
Step 3. Install new swingarm in the reverse order. Check the torque values for the nuts and bolts. I always use thread locker (Honda red) on all bolts except the swingarm and rear axle - @ 87 foot pounds they should not come loose.
I re-used the dust caps on the swingarm pivot and the rear axel nut. The rear axel washer on the left side is a different part number. Have one on order. The 2004 washer is too large in diameter so cut off a little on two sides so it would fit. Final photo is the bike with the new swingarm. I like the look of the black swingarm and hugger with the rest of the bike silver, draws more attention to the frame and engine. Even my daughter thinks it looks better than the old swingarm.
View attachment 39803
How does it work: The shock had 3,500 miles on it and seems to be firmer than the old one which had 30,000 miles on it. Adjustment of the chain tension is much easier now. Most important part is that I shave 1 pound off the bike.
Thanks to Flosabe for the parts!