Swing arm rust on RF600

[TheGazWaz]

Hi all, first post and all that but loving the atmosphere on here.

I have a 97 RF600 and, as I'm sure many will know, it has a steel swing arm. Now... I'm doing a sprocket and chain renewal in the next couple of weeks so I thought it would be a good opportunity to have a look at my tatty swing arm.

I only paid a grand for the bike last year and despite the 37000 miles it came with a hell of a lot of paperwork and history that gave the bike a good feeling for me.

When I bought it I did notice that the 'back street dealer' had painted the swing arm to tidy it up a bit and he's used a brush and a tin of silver hamerite or something very similar. Now the rust is coming through the paint so it's looking a bit tatty.

I don't want to spend too much Wonga on this bike as it's my first big bike and not worth an awful lot although the rest of the bike is very clean.

Is it worth taking the swing arm off, stripping it and powder coating it or will the rust just find it's way back through, or... do I just pile on the hamerite and do a neat job of it until next time.

I plan on keeping the bike for at least another year before I move on to something newer.

Cheers folk

Gaz

[exuptoy]

I have just had my Bandit one done. Cost me £40 locally but it has cost me £65 for bearings and £30 for a SH cushion link, but when complete should ride like new as well as look like new.

Collecting it later. Will post a few pics.
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Chaos, panic, destruction....my work here is done

[TheGazWaz]

That would be great to see some pics exuptoy,

If it's going to cost me £100 for a new back end then I'd be happy with that.

Just been looking at my shock spring, looks like they've hamerited that as well. Didn't notice that one when I bought it.

I'm not spending £300 on a new spring that's for sure lol.

[exuptoy]

Well, I just picked up the arm and there were a few tight inaccessible areas which had heavy pitting and I asked him not to spend too much time over it, as long as it was acceptable I'd be happy.

Overall, very pleased for £40!

https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/exuptoy/Bandit/A1829649-9CDE-44D1-BBF5-E88028D1835F_zpsqquxletq.jpg

https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/exuptoy/Bandit/12D3231F-F828-460E-AD33-75922E68FFD0_zpsfop126gw.jpg

https://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y148/exuptoy/Bandit/06BE4331-54DF-42E7-A3CC-771B11053F34_zpszxbc1in8.jpg
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Chaos, panic, destruction....my work here is done

[delsol]

[exuptoy]

[TheGazWaz]

Very nice. That's come up really well.

As I have a bit of time on my hands I might do mine myself. £40 is cheap enough mind.

What do you do with your rusty bolts. My axel bolt is especially rusted up. Again, this had been painted along with the swing arm but after a few chain adjustments all the pain came off. Don't want to spend a fortune on stainless ones. Might just wire brush them and paint them up again.

[Vincent]

Beware You may find that the swingarm doesn't want to play ball when you come to remove it. It's not unusual for the pivot to seize in the bush. Get the Plusgas ready....along with the sledge hammer

Because of this, swingarms tend to get ignored so it's well worth doing - replace the bearings while there and grease everything up....if you have the patience and the tools.

Have you looked to see if there are any easy ally swingarm conversions? Probably cost about the same.
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Space Is Deep

[exuptoy]

[exuptoy]

It was cheaper for me to buy a secondhand cushion link for the shock than to buy new bearings!
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Chaos, panic, destruction....my work here is done

[Vincent]

Good job.......looks like he's painted inside?
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Space Is Deep