Took the swingarm and linkage out to clean and re-grease today. It was due for a strip down anyway (which I last did 12K miles ago), but I did get an advisory at MOT time back in October for �slight play in the rear suspension linkage�.

I discovered where the play was almost straight away � it was at the front pivot point where the linkage joins the frame. However, on close inspection there was absolutely no wear or play in the bearings � the problem was with the sleeve being 0.4mm too short and was floating/rocking from side to side! Without the ability to nip up the two ends of the sleeve, the needle roller doesn�t actually do what it should, the whole thing was partly pivoting on the bolt. And as the bore of the sleeve is bigger and the bolt�s diameter, it makes for quite lot of slop.

Here's a picture of the problem. You can clearly see the marks where the alloy body of the relay arm has been coming in contact with the sides of the mounting plates as it rocks and floats from side to side.



I�m not sure how this can be � the sleeve can�t have worn down at the ends and got 0.4mm shorter? Or could it? The mounts on the frame can�t have splayed, they�re too rigid and well braced.

Anyhow, I�ve ordered a new sleeve and we shall see how long it is when it arrives. The one I�ve taken out measures 40.5mm.

Now, I am positive that last time I greased the linkage there was no slackness there at all and everything was a tight fit, but as you do, I started doubting myself, and thought maybe there was some play but I never noticed? Perhaps it�s always been like that? Could my bike have been supplied with short sleeve? Possible the frame mounts were welded on incorrectly? Then again, it�s passed every previous MOT (same garage/same tester).

So what I�d like to know is, for comparison, how floppy is/was yours last time you looked�?

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I think youre talking about the tenere ? Ive got a x and mine all fit snug as a bug

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Yamaha xt660x 2009 blue/gold mods= iridium plug, stage1+2, removed snorkel, blocked ais, akrapovric pipes, power commander pc3usb (pre made map), adjusted tps, dynojet 02 optimiser 30amp aux relay, smoked puig screen, oxford heated grips and brembo carbon ceramic pads, rfx 30mm bar raisers, puig long adjustable leavers, plus much more and a cheep �30 alarm which stopped it been stolen

I remember there was some side to side movement in mine when I had it apart for greasing.

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That's the sort of thing I want to hear!

Talking to a few other people, it seems to be common for a lot of Yamahas to have 0.3-0.4mm of end float at the frame pivot. When the bolt is 12mm and the inside diameter of the sleeve is 13mm, it makes for sloppiness.

I'll wait for the new sleeve to arrive, if it's also too short I've got some 0.2mm shims that I'll fit either side.

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Finally got it all back together, after waiting nearly two weeks for the parts!

The first "new" replacement bush/sleeve was badly pitted, in worse condition than the 25K mile one I took out! So I had to return it and wait nearly the best part of a week for another one to arrive because they're not carried in stock.

The new bush is the same length as the old one, so resorted to packing out either end with the 0.20mm shims and the whole thing nipped up nice and tight with the recommended torque setting - no slop whatsoever, unlike before. Took some measurements to quantify the play in the linkage cause by the ill-fitting front/frame pivot:

The new bolt diameter is 11.44mm, the hole in the new bush/sleeve is 13.23mm, so the total play at pivot is 1.79mm without the shims, which doesn't sound a lot but multiplied by the linkage ratio gives a noticeable 5.96mm of play at the axle. This is the difference between getting an advisory at MOT time and not. It also means that the linkage doing what it should and pivoting solely on the needle rollers and not a combination of them and the bolt.

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Just thinking of pulling mine off...oooerrr missus!!

Are these shims you speak of available over the counter somewhere or did you have them just lying around?

Cheers,

Sandman.

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2011 XT660Z, in BLACK of course!
Mods done:
Lost the will to keep track!