Swingarm removal tips

Hi, im new to the site and just got a 71 Norton Commando for about 3 weeks now. ive searched and tried to absorb as much info (and there are tons) as i can but couldnt find what im looking for. Im a newb from SoCal wanting to replace the bushings and install some mounting collars to the spindle to make the swingarm more rigid. Any tips or special tools i need? How long should the process take? I have the shop manual but thought i'd ask to get some tips to those that actually had done it themselves. Vince

It's not hard. And I think well worth doing. New bushings and the Heinz Kegler collars did a lot to tighten up my ride and get rid of that 'hinged in the middle' feel.

Some resources:

http://www.oldbritts.com/ob_start.html (on removing the swingarm spindle)

http://www.nortons.dk/doc/swingarmfix.pdf (installation instructions for Heinz Kegler collars)

http://www.nortonfastback.com/html/mods.html (third party tips on those collars from Heinz Kegler)

removing-swing-arm-bushings-without-press-t2968.html?hilit=briank (a thread on some of the issues I ran into along the way, solved with help from folks here).

Good luck - BrianK

thanks Brian for the reply. does it really matter where i drill the holes when i install the collars? Is this important?

I tried to follow Heinz's directions as closely as possible as to location of the holes. Per Fastback's write-up, misalignment may cause the allenheads to foul other parts (which he was able to fix by cutting them down) - I didn't run into this problem.

The job really isn't hard. It was a bit scary drilling into the swingarm tube, but it worked out just fine.

NortnSnortn said:

thanks Brian for the reply. does it really matter where i drill the holes when i install the collars? Is this important?

Click to expand...

I think you want to have the collars as close to the ends of the cradle for maximum effect. You also want to make sure that you drill the holes at the correct angle so that the heads of the bolts do not contact the swingarm anywhere in its rotation. I followed Heinz' directions closely and it worked out great. Big improvement in handling. I can probably send you a photo or two if you have any questions.

thanks guys for the replies. Im gonna do the collars this weekend and give you guys an update on how it was.

Good luck NortnSnortn and yes do let us all know how it goes. I'm sure you'll be fine, but as you may have seen from my thread, if you run into a snag there's plenty of helpful folk around here.