Update .. ended up having to buy a new one.
Just to share the learnings (and for peoples interests), a brand new one from Honda (available the next day) was only $310 (trade price because the parts guy at my local Honda shop loves old school VMX bikes .. who doesn't
).
So a brand new linkage with new bearings and seals already fitted for just over $300. By the time you buy the bearing kits for $140, add postage and then add the cost of getting someone to press the old ones out and fit the new ones (assuming they don't break it like my guy did) .. I think you're better off with a new part.