Kawi Swingarm for Yammie 500

[Cowboy Don]

Hey Guys,

I got one of them purdy 1981 KLX250 swingarms for my XT500, the poormans Profab.  All dimensions are good and she fits up perfect.  Only problem is that the bearings and seals are NLA from Kawasaki.  Anyone use something else for them?

[Doc]

Don, I dunno about a poormans Profab, the KLX swingarms in my opinion look the ducks guts and nicer than anything aftermarket I've seen. Whether or not they work as well is beside the point but they do look good! anyway, if you can't get anything from a bearing supplier and if you are having trouble locally try http://www.prosourceoutlet.com/pages/parts/viewbybrand/9/Kawasaki.aspx in the US as they still list them as available and their prices are as good as they get

[Cowboy Don]

Sweet, thanks Doc.  I agree, they do look just as good as anything.  I actually sold an original Profab 'cause I thought it was money better spent on other things since I had the KLX arm hanging in the shed.

[LWC82PE]

i think you will find that the bearings are a IKO brand that are availble at a bearing supplier for half the price of OEM. thats just my guess.

have your tryed All Balls? with some research comparing the kawsaki part numbers to a new model you may find that an aftermarket brand like Pivot Works do the bearings. They wont list anything for that old model but a newer bike make use the same bearings

a zedder Kawsaki cross ref program would be ideal as you can find out what other bikes had the same bearings as the KLX

[Cowboy Don]

Thanks Guys,

I haven't taken the bearings out yet, but I'm sure my local bearing shop should have something.  I was more concerned about the seals and such.
All Balls and Pivot works don't list anything and according to Kawasaki (I work at a Kawi dealer) the parts don't superceded to anything else, and they're usually pretty good with that type of stuff.

[LWC82PE]

i would use the zedder program to find out what other bikes used the same bearing and then try pivot works or All balls. you may still find a aftermarket brand that has the bits and sometimes you may have to buy 2 kits from 2 different bikes to get all the bits you need.

also try here
http://www.nwvintagecycleparts.com/about-us.php -  for NOS kwaka parts

im sure some KLX guys will join in here and offer up some soloutions and tell you what they have used

[Doc]

there's actually no need to use Zedder for Kawasaki parts Leith. If you go to Kawasaki.com and search the microfiche which is quite comprehenive, find the model and part number and click on it, then you'll see a little yellow and black '?' mark tab at the top of the pop up page that opens. Click on this ? tab and it lists all the models the part suits. I reckon Kawasaki may have had the worst parts supply in history but they do have the best up to date online parts listing presently available to the public sometimes the model you require will not show in a specific search so use a general search such as 250cc motocross all years. I think the KLX is actually listed as an offroad playbike. On the home page the parts diagrams can be found under the owner info tab on the left. Here's the list but showing as not available for all

Part Number 92046-1001
Model (6):     
 KLX250-A1 (KLX250) (1979) 
 KLX250-A2 (KLX250) (1980) 
 KX125-A4 (1978) 
 KX125-A5 (1979) 
 KX250-A4 (1978) 
 KX250-A5 (1979) 

my budget method of repair would be having a pair of phosper bronze bushes turned up

[gtmpaul]

The bearings and seals should be available, I purchased a set for my KLX last year from http://www.cradleykawasaki.co.uk/ I know I'm in the UK but postage should be cheap as they quite small parts
Paul