Today I started preping my Tenere ready for our upcoming trip.

I stripped the back end off the bike and removed the swingarm and shock.

The shock as been sent away for a refurb and a upgrade Ohlins spring fitting.

I noticed once I removed the swingarm that there were almost no grease in there at all. The spindle was starting to rust. The bike as not been jet washed so I would guess that like the head stock bearings Yamaha Italy have asembled these bikes without useing much grease.

If you intend keeping your bike for a few years It maybe a idea to repack the rear linkage and swingarm spindle before the damage is done.

Dazzer

As a further incentive, the cost of a complete set of linkage bearings, seals, and sleeves (not counting the swingarm bearings, just the linkage ones) is �207.

Ask me how I know...

Tempted to stick some grease nipples into mine when I replace the bearings.

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

http://shop.marksman-ind.com/drawn-outer-cup-type-110-c.asp

for the bearings at least.
Eg. 17 x 24 x 15 needle bearing is TA1715Z; 17 x 24 x 20 is TA1720Z etc.

Only just got round/needed to do mine after 91,000 miles. At least they lasted longer than my right hand (clutch side) main bearing.

I pulled my swingarm out at 12k miles and although everything was pretty grease-free, it wasn't worn. Packed everything with Silcolene Synthetic (waterproof) grease and re-fitted everything. I figured if it'd done 12k without grease it should do a lot more with grease.
However... I've still not done my head bearings (keep forgetting)
Just hope I'm in-time there too
Rob

Normally I would, but I couldn't be bothered to strip the bike down to figure out the bearing codes/sizes, then have it sat there in pieces while I tracked them down.

Needless to say I will be taking a note of all the sizes when I do replace them, for future reference.

Edit: And I knew I needed at least one of the sleeves, so had to go to Yamaha for that, although they are the cheap part of the assembly.

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

Interesting. This is the first time I have read mention of issues with the head-stock bearings.
I have started noticing a slight resistance when turning left lately. At my 24K service they made a note to check for "notching". I never did follow that up. Think I need to get it back before the warranty runs out next January.

At the 24k service they should, according to the service schedule, have them apart and regrease them. As they should have done at 12k. Same goes for the rear linkage.

How many Yamaha dealers do you reckon actually bother?

__________________
I spent a lot of money on travel and racing motorcycles - the rest I just squandered.

XT660Z - Commuter, Adventurer...Racer?

www.dashmoto.net

Other bikes >> MT-03 / CG125BR-J / ER-6F
Departed >> ZXR400L3 / EC300 / DR-Z400E / DR800S / GPZ500S / GS400

hope you got this done, you may not be stuck in an extreme situation like i was, my upper neck bearing cage shattered when i was in Bolivia at 9000 feet in a tiny village of around 500 people, i had to fill it will crazy amounts of grease and ride for another 8000 miles until i could find a replacement - grease it now it takes five minutes

i was told that it is a regular issue of minimal greasing in certain areas