That was my first thought, but M14 bolt won't go through a 1/2" drive socket unfortunately. Doubt Daniel has many 3/4" drives laying around.
Also @DanielB be warned the M14x1.5pitch is not a standard M14 bolt or studding size, standard thread pitch for M14 is 2.0. So you will have to go to a fastener specialist to find M14x1.5pitch (fine pitch) studding. I'll have a search, see if I come up with anything suitable. Also, avoid stainless steel there's a good chance the nuts will gall on the studding (like friction welding).
Good company, but looks like they only have studding in stainless as far as I can see? How about this.... https://shop4fasteners.co.uk/high-tensile-steel-8-8-threaded-bar-bzp-m14-x-1-5mm-pitch-x-1m.html and here for the nuts (pack of 10)... https://shop4fasteners.co.uk/catalo...ensile-full-nuts-yzp-m14-x-1-5/category/4614/ You'll need 3, one to do the jacking and two locked together at the end to make it effectively a long bolt to screw in to the spindle.
For the spacer to jack against how about this.. 25mm outside diameter mild steel tube by 2mm wall by 300mm long from here I'm guessing your spindle isn't more than 20mm diameter at the bearings and hopefully the 2mm thick mild steel will be strong enough to jack against. You'll need a washer or two under the jacking nut too. You can buy thicker spacers instead of the mild steel tube but I can only see them available in stainless which makes them quite expensive.
Everyone,.this is all really good information, thank you! Good shout on the SS bar. I assumed that would be the material to go for, but I'll watch that now... Also agreed....I do not have any ¾" sockets so will indeed look in to tubing! I did a rough recky on World of Triumph and all these parts if new would be £260+ for bearings, pin, seals, sleeves... However, I need to temper this with the fact that, with all the bolts removed, the drop link barely moves! Remind me...older bikes are more fun, aren't they....? *I have a "fasteners" outlet nearish...so will go Monday for that fine thread M14 bar, tubing, nuts and washers... Dedicated penetrating oil coming tomorrow.
Thanks all for continued help so far... Seeing as I am delving the depths of "my back end" I may as well keep going and look to service the swing arm bearings too... If nothing up to this point looks well greased, I'm gonna assume the swing arm needs equal attention... Don't panic - I have updated the thread title accordingly . So, to maybe try and save a little time if any certain tools etc are required for the swing arm (I'm not at it yet)...what might I need? More importantly, I'm using an Abba stand at the moment to secure the bike but it is wound in to the swing arm bolt heads....erm...what now? How can I or should I support the bike so I can get to the swing arm fixings? Hang the bike from the rafters from the rear subframe? Any other hints or tips or advice? I'll of course be reporting back on the hub regrease, and the drop link servicing...but trying to 'get ahead' for this next job. Thanks all
The old trick to support the bike while removing the swingarm, is to turn the foot pegs upside down and use axle stands underneath them.
Ah yes...what a donut I am! I did think abut "how do people use their footpegs", as mine fold up! But that makes perfect sense...and, in fact, I remember now that I forgot I knew this!!
So...as it goes....I can't get the bike on the bloomin pegs, as the Abba stand is in the way. This really is like a protracted version of The Krypton Factor.
Are you fuc#ing shi##ing me...! I have to remove the exhaust to get the drop link out? FFS! That's it...crumpled and defeated, abused and raped of my enthusiasm...I am "exhausted" and will have to put all this back together now as I need the bike for work... I will re-group. I will re-energise.... I will return.... To be continued....
I haven't! I am defeated... However, I need to go back to the office next week, so I have simply runout of time on this adventure...so I am going to have to be happy with the learning journey I have been on...but put it all back together... Then, I will redo the whole job again, as it will be far far quicker...and do it over a weekend...only, that time, I will jack the bike up and axle stand it on the foot peg brackets, then I will... Remove rear wheel and hub. Remove swing arm Remove drop link from removed swing arm. Replace swing arm bearings/service swing arm. Replace drop link bearings Clean everything reassemble... That is my new plan... I have learned a lot...AND...using PLUSGAS lubricant, the corroded and stuck drop link is now at least moving freely! So, it has not been a wasted experience...albeit, thoroughly "thought provoking" (aka a right PITA!) I'll report when I am back on it, for anyone still interested.... Thanks for all the help and advice to date!
Hi Daniel, if I were you I would look at alternative transport to get you to and from work, putting it back together knowing the suspension linkages etc are not right is a recipe for disaster, the bearings in the drop link are an unknown quantity and could fail. Also heaven forbid if you had an accident even a no fault and either your insurer or the third party may well wish to inspect the machine, obviously then any faults will be there to see, also insurance companies are now regularly asking owners for proof of servicing and maintenance, a log of work carried out by the home mechanic is sensible in protecting yourself, also it helps to demonstrate to a potential new owner that routine service/maintenance has been done. I don't wish to offend but I really would consider carrying on with what you have achieved so far and complete the work, rather than risking riding your machine not repaired. Keep the forum posted on your progress and ride safe.
@Iceman that is certainly food for thought. I have ordered (on credit card) a drop link service 'kit' (bearings, sleeves, seals and pin) and will look to complete this part of the job.as it stands. I agree about the home servicing, receipts etc... Thanks iceman, no offence taken.
...is removing and reattaching the exhaust simply nuts and bolts...or am I gonna need gaskets and special tools, and ballache and pain... Just wondering...
Ok...I am such a fuc#ing plum... I am going to give you until 10pm to tell me why...after an hour taking off fairing, fiddling with the radiator...all with a view to getting the exhaust off JUST so I could get my threaded bar in to that drop link pin...why I didn't actually need to. No one has said it so far...so let's assume it wasn't obvious or we all have plumage of varying degrees...
Hi Daniel, I am thoroughly enjoying this thread and your humour in the face of challenges. I remain in awe of your 'have a go' approach to learning. It's great to see the useful advice and suggestions others are contributing too. It's the best of what a motorcycle forum should be! Now, in order that I may contribute a wild guess rather than having any useful insights.... How about cutting the threaded bar length down?...
Thanks @SamTheExplorer that's all good to hear. I have to "have a go" as I can't afford the alternative! Plus I'm bored and want to learn... I kinda feel that I should do the bits I can, then I can justify paying for the bits I can't. This is only nuts and bolts...so, although various conundrums, I feel it's within my ability...and especially with the agreed invaluable help, and patience from this great forum! Cut the bar? A fair suggestion, however I will need at least the length of the pin, so I can jack it out...so, alas... "Nahh nahh"; please try again.
When I did my Sprint shock I raised the swingarm up and supported it on a box to give me the correct position to remove the bolts on the linkage.
