'91 NT 650 Swingarm Pinch Bolt Stuck

[cbcsean]

I noticed the chain was loose the other night so I tried loosening the swingarm axle pinch bolt bolt, adjusted the eccentric hub then went to tighten the pinch bolt to 54 ft/lbs but even when i hit this value the pinch bolt washer still had a couple of mm gap between it and the bottom of the pinch bolt head. I tried loosening and retorquing and I still has this problem.

i tried removing the pinch bolt entirely to inspect the threads and now the bolt feels stuck. I dont want to shear off the bolt but I need this bolt to achieve its torque value before I fee safe riding the bike again.

has anyone had this issue? I can get a breaker bar and force the bolt but again I don't want to shear it off.

any previous experience with this issue?

Please advise

[6]

Careful tightening the chain. The hawk chain needs to run VERY VERY loose...

But with your other issue, that's a strange one. But I have seen those bolts get dirty and corroded and jammed up. The good news is that they are strong bolts and I've never seen one broken (other may have).

If it were mine if be in there with heat and penetrating oil and whatever else I needed to get that bolt out and inspect it and it's counterparts threads..

Just to recap, careful tightening the chain.

If someone doesn't come up to you once a week and tell you that your chain is loose, then your chain is too tight.

[bk94si]

I would be more worried about the threads in the swingarm than the bolt, softer metal.

[Yoshihns]

The blue wrench probably isn't going to do too much if the issue is gunk in the thread jamming everything up. Just soften the material so it strips out easier.

Honestly, it's just a crap situation. Use penetrating oil, and work the bolt back and forth without going too nuts on the force. Wish you the best.

[bk94si]

Sometimes a few hammer whacks will loosen it a bit.

[Forcerouge]

I had this issue too while working on the swingarm. The screw threads were a bit damaged and the thing was very hard to get out. I took the screw off with a longer bar to get more leverage, then after the screw was removed I cleaned the threads with a wire brush and then used a file to correct some defects on the threads.

[rpcraft]

Did you use anti-sieze on the bolt when you placed it back in? If not then you probably have some galvanic corrosion going on and getting things out without stripping the threads are going to be a challenge, if not a miracle. If you can get it off take a close look at the threads in the swingarm and make darn sure they are not stripped or stripping before proceeding. If they are you probably need to look into options to overdrill and maybe do a Time-sert style thread repair insert. I am not sure honestly how feasable that is given the sizes and in this case I would look to a Time-sert style insert rather than a heli-coil just because it has an open bottom. If it shows signs of stripping it might just be more cost effective to find a replacement swingarm. There are plenty around I suspect. I would say if you get it out post back if you need more help or questions answered.

[69Falcon]

So if it’s stripped, why not just tap it up to the next size?

[rpcraft]

I imagine he could. I just don't have a swingarm near me to scope it out and say if there would be enough structure in there to do it right. I also couldn't remember if there was anything special about the bolt or not. I seemed to dimly recall it has a hole through the middle of it or something. I don't think that matters much but does it?

[6]

So if it’s stripped, why not just tap it up to the next size?

Big ass tap, but that's what I'd do.

[rpcraft]

Big ass tap, but that's what I'd do.

I think I am becoming conservative in my old age, lol.... I will admit I was thinking drill and tap it as well but some may not be comfortable with that.

[cbcsean]

i was able to remove the bolt sing a 25-inch breaker bar.

the bolt is fine but there is aluminum on the bottom 5 mm of threads from the swingarm.

im going ti try to tap the swingarm threads, chase the bolt threads and retorque.

[rpcraft]

Be sure and use a little antiseize when you put it back and traditionally the width of the bolt is how much engagment is needed on the threaded portion of the hole. Not sure how much that leaves you overall.