T3 CalFab Swingarm Bearing Question

[JohnR.]

I attempted to put my CalFab on my '86 T3 today but when I tried to put the new pivot bearings in they were too big. Not much, maybe 1/32" but definitely too big to force in. After mangling one while trying to press it in against my better judgement I realized that I screwed up and I didn't try to force the second one in. I was thinking that the bearings supplied in the kit were the wrong ones for the trike so I pressed one out of the stock swing arm and the new bearing (the one I didn't mangle) went right in. Is it possible that the CalFab uses '85 T3 bearings or something? I ended up putting the whole thing back together with the stock arm with one new and one old bearing in it but I need to get to the bottom of this so I can put my nice shiny newly powder coated arm on.

Thanks.

John

[fabiodriven]

Wish I knew more, but I thought I read somewhere on here before that they didn't use stock Kawi swinger bearings.

[tecat-z]

Westcoast Tecate swingarms have a similar situation. Oem replacement bearings are just too big on the o.d. But, the i.d. is the same between the two.... Strange.

[JohnR.]

Thanks guys. At least I know I'm not imagining things. Hopefully someone here will have some idea of what I need to do.

John

[JohnR.]

Anyone else? I'm pretty sure the old races that I pressed out of the CalFab are either on the workbench or in the trash can right next to it so I can match something up. I've also got a spare '85 250R arm with fresh bearings in it that I can probably get out in one piece to try in the CalFab. It seems really stupid that they didn't go with the same bearing as stock.

John

[dcreel]

There is one for sale on Los Angeles Craigslist. Maybe he would know?
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/mcy/1093600113.html

[JohnR.]

I took a minute today and tried fitting one of the ones that came out of my CalFab into a 1985 250R arm and it fit perfect. Then I took one of the sleeves that go inside the pivot bearings that came with my CalFab and put it inside a the brand new 250R pivot bearing that was in that same arm and it fit too. So, I've got to order a set of bearings for a liquid R and use them with the T3/CalFab sleeves and T3 seals. What a production! In any case, hopefully this helps someone else down the road not make the same mistake I did.

John

[JohnR.]

I just got off the phone with Alex at All Balls Racing. That's the place I ordered the T3 pivot bearing kit from in the first place since the other places I tried to order from told me that All Balls doesn't make the kit for the T3 anymore even though All Balls had 6 sets on the shelf. :banghead: Fortunately, All Balls will sell direct to the consumer. I called and explained the situation to him. I didn't want to spend $50 on a complete kit for a 250R only to throw everything but the bearings in a spare parts drawer. He was able to get me the two 250R bearings as well as a replacement for the one T3 one that I boogered up (so I can have two new ones in the stock T3 arm). All 3 came to a total of about $15 plus around $5 shipping! Its so nice to deal with someone who is competent and willing to spend an extra few minutes figuring out what the customer needs. Those guys have a loyal customer in me!

John

[dcreel]

I agree,
I buy all of my bearings from them.
www.goallballs.com

[dcreel]

I agree,
I buy all of my bearings from them.
www.goallballs.com

Their website doesn't seem to be working, but you can buy them directly from their website.

OOPS.. That was retarded..

[JohnR.]

Thanks. I forgot to add their web address to the post. Their site was working 10 minutes ago then when I went back on to check something else it seems to have crashed. By the way, if you want to talk to someone on the phone the number is 610-473-0505, ask for Alex.

John

[tecat-z]

Some bearing outlets don't advertise Tecate bearing kits...... But, the Mojave swingarm pivot kit is the exact same. Many places simply don't go back that far. Even the side collars are the same. I typically use Moose brand bearings. Great quality, and their main bearing and seal kits are sourced Japanese bearings. No China made junk.

[JohnR.]

According to All Balls they supply the bearings for other companies like Moose.

The part number for a Mojave is different than it is for a T3B. The A's have the same part number as the Mojave though. I'm not saying they don't fit, just that there must be some reason for the different part numbers.

[tecat-z]

Ah, ok. Yes, i was referring to the 84-85 kit.

[Dirtcrasher]

I'd just measure up the OD and the OD of the sleeve (if they run sleeves) and call up some bearing suppliers. I'm sure you have one locally that can get you anything...

My guy got me rubber coated seals 1MM smaller ID than stock and I just turned the grooves down on a lathe (off the stock collars) and it worked great!

I'm not sure if Allballs can get you all the different sizes out there, thats all...

[JohnR.]

Thanks DC. If I didn't happen to have a 250R arm sitting 5 feet from where I was doing the work I would have mic'ed up the OD of the bearing and the sleeve. Fortunately it was the same as an R so I don't need to do any milling or grinding or anything. Just $5 each for 3 bearings and I'm ready to rock on Wednesday.

John