how to tell if i have an 85 or 86 swingarm on my big red 250?

[cirose]

hey guys, i got an 86 big red 250 i am trying to do the wheel bearings on, first problem i ran into is that the hub opposite to the drum is welded and i cant get the axle to slide through the other side, every video i seen shows the axle sliding out through the drum side of swing arm. wondering if theres any way to get it out through the opposite side so i dont have to buy a new axle and hub. secondly, i bought an all balls wheel bearing kit for an 86 and the inside diameter of the bearing where it goes into the shaft is smaller then the old wheel bearings... wondering if i even have an 86 rear end on this bike? how can i tell which year it is

[350for350]

Try sending Flyingw a pm. He knows these trikes pretty well.

[cirose]

how exactly do i seach up a member to send him a pm? not very good at this forum stuff lol

[atc12]

85 big red has a one piece swing arm and 86/87 have a two piece with better seals on the brake drum.

[cirose]

85 big red has a one piece swing arm and 86/87 have a two piece with better seals on the brake drum.

so if i took the swing arm off an 85 trike, and removed the differential, the swing arm would be in 2 peices? i will get a picture of mine but i think i might have an 86

[cirose]

so if i took the swing arm off an 85 trike, and removed the differential, the swing arm would be in 2 peices? i will get a picture of mine but i think i might have an 86

Heres a picture

[jeswinehart]

Gosh it looks the same as my 85 barn find Bigred I been tinkering around with all day.
I shut the work area up for the night but I'll snap some pictures at the angle you took yours so we can compare.
I can gurentee mines a 85. The only thing done to mine other then tires is its been rode hard daily on a hog farm and put away wet,,,, daily.
john

[jeswinehart]

Well I ended up back out there so I took a few pics.

[cirose]

if only someone had a 100% gaurenteed picture of an 86 to compare. i sure hope i dont have an 85 rear end i just bought a wheel bearing kit , 2 new rear brake cables and a set of brake shoes for an 86

[tripledog]

Here you go, brother...

[cirose]

Well then looks like i have an 85 swingarm... Crap, guess my new wheel bearings and brake shoes for an 86 wont fit

[tripledog]

No expert here, but I think the rear bake shoes will fit 85-87 250 BRs.

[muthey]

the bearings on the gearcase side are the same, but not the brake side.