R1100S Paralever/swingarm play @ 30,500 miles

[Jack Bunce <jackbunce@xxxxxxx>]

I tried asking this over on the ibmwr list but got no response.

With the spate of messages on the various boards regarding rear drive 
failures I decided it was prudent to "check" the rear of my R1100S by 
attempting to wiggle the rear wheel from side to side while grasping it 
at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions.  Well, the darn thing moved enough so 
that I could feel, hear and see it move.  Same thing when I did it at 
the 12 and 6 o'clock positions.

So, as I was going to go to the dealer's anyway to pick up an oil 
filter and o-rings for valve covers prior to adjusting the valves 
myself for the first time, I took the opportunity to try the same 
"check" on an R bike while I was there. Not realizing that there are 
significant differences in where the paralever/swingarm attaches on the 
various  R models I just checked an R bike on the floor without paying 
any attention to what it was other than the fact that it was not a GS 
nor a C.

The new R bike I checked had a much tighter paralever/swingarm which I 
could feel move much much less than mine but which made no noise at all 
at the end of the movement. The service manager checked the play for me 
and opined that it might be the needle bearings having insufficient 
preload or otherwise be damaged and that he would replace them under 
warranty. So, the work is scheduled for the 15th.

Now to my questions:  (which I should have asked of him but it didn't 
occur to me until today and now I need more information so that I can 
ask intelligent questions of him)

There are two pivot points on the rear paralever/swingarm: one very 
close to the final drive, i.e., just before the boot and the other at 
the frame attachment point.  I thought that the needle bearings were in 
the pivot point closest to the final drive.  Is that correct?

It now appears to me that the entire paralever/swingarm is moving as a 
unit when "check" it.  The free play seems to be at the 
paralever/swingarm to frame pivot point.  I have tried unsuccessfully 
to find a procedure for checking or adjusting the swingarm bearings or 
their preload on an R bike but have been unsuccessful.  Does anyone 
have one they could post?


cheers.... jack, '04 R1100SA, Waterford, Connecticut, U.S.A.

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