FZ1 linkage bearings/replacement

[Snorty]

Got a bit of play in the linkage (if I put bike on main stand then pull up there's a tiny bit of movement before the shock engages).

Came up as advisory on last MOT, but I have noticed some roads it feels really "hard" when you hit a bump.

You literally have to play avoid the pothole these days, some strips are the width of the road so it feels like the bike's being "kicked" up.

I've got all the bearings/bushes etc from the microfiche, can I get away with just doing this work on the main stand or will I need to buy something else to do this? The manual just says use a stand so the wheel is in the air but didn't specifically mention the main stand.

Cheers
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Current: Yamaha FZ1 '07 | GSXR 750 SRAD

Past: CB125TDC | TZR125 | GPZ500 | CBR600F3 | ZX9-R | GSXR1000 K4

[jeremyr62]

If it's similar to the FJR then don't hang about.

The linkages are famous for seizing and fracturing the dog bones causing all manner of unpleasantness.

On the FJR you could grease all the bearings and collars in the swingarm (not the main swingarm bearings) and relay arm except the very front bearing in the relay arm without taking the centre stand off. If the bearings were toast (and they nearly always were) and you had to remove the relay arm then the centre stand had to come off too. This meant supporting the back of the bike using ratchet straps and step ladders or some other Heath Robinson affair.

It might be worth just unbolting the linkage and seeing how bad it is before you really get started.