Hitchcocks Forum

I'm about to put some bits into the powder coaters. One of them is the swingarm from an '04 500 bullet classic. I'm not sure how (or if) to remove the bushes. Appears to be the metal/rubber ones that fit flush with the end. I've seen a few people online who recommend just masking them and leaving them in. They seem to be a decent fit, no real play on them so they don't need replacing for the sake of it.



However, say I did want to remove them, how would I best go about it? I presume they pressed in from either end so how would they drive out? Where would I try to do it, against the outer or inner sleeve? Would they drift right through or would they have to come out from the middle? Or is trying to remove them likely to just result in a world of pain?

A large gap hydraulic press, two sleeves at least 150mm long, one that accommodates the OD of the bush, (27.5mm), the other than fits the ID of the swing arm, 26.5mm, and centers in the bush (12mm)


The job is a lot easier with a second pair of hands...

The bushes are right pigs to remove without special equipment, especially if they are corroded. I painted the swinging arm on my Bullet rather than having it powder coated as, as ericpode says, the rubber would be destroyed during the powder coating process. On a BSA Golden Flash, which has similar bushes (silent bloc), I melted the rubber with a blow torch and then cut a slot in the outer metal piece of the bush using a hacksaw. You have to be patient and careful doing this, however, to prevent damaging the swinging arm tube. I pulled the new bushes in with the long rod which attaches the footrests and some very strong washers and spacers on the BSA. I don't know if the RE footrest rod would be up to the job.

Thanks for the replies. Sounds like a major PITA.



I've seen a few credible sounding reports on various forums of people having old Brit swingarms powdercoated without removing the bushes with no ill effects. I'll see if the powdercoaters are prepared to try it on the understanding I'll still pay them even if it turns out a mess. Thinking about it, vulcanised rubber should be fine up to 200 celcius which is the curing temperature of powder coating. Look at the temperatures the inlet manifold rubber on an air cooled engine sees.



I'll report back with how I go on.

Is this any use:-

Is there a washer between the plastic Bush and the frame? If you look when he's refitting the swingarm there appears the be something on the outside of the bush.

I may be mistaken, but the bushes on the UCE Enfield shown in the video are not the Silentbloc type as fitted to classic iron Bullets (which, I assume, a 2004 bike would be.)

Aye, they are a totally different type to the ones in the video. Each bush is effectively one piece consisting of an inner and outer steel tube with rubber in the middle that fits flush with the end of the swingarm tube. One pushes in from each end and they meet in the middle by the looks of it. In any case, the powdercoating guy seemed quite relaxed about leaving them in there. Says he often leaves metalastic bushes in place on car parts too.



I wonder if the whole "remove them or they'll melt" thing is a presumed rather than actual problem. I'll see how it all goes anyway. I was actually quite taken aback at how cheap it was. The guy's charging £170 for prep (including media blasting) and coating of the frame, swingarm, bottom yoke and brake lever. I was expecting a lot more.

Super stupid idea leaving them in if you plan on keeping the bike?


But if you are tarting up a Rat with the thought of flicking it off for a quick Quid?


The bushes dont physically melt and run, the heat from powder coating (Or baked enameling) simply speeds up the perishing process.

Well, I suppose it wont be much more work removing them when that happens than removing them now. Just a case of taking the swingarm out. Sounds like it'll be a job for my mate Gav and his big press anyway and given the time he's taking with my dural engine plates...