Friendly Reminder - Check your swingarm plug/cover

[Karson]

Hmmm.. interesting. Mine is rubber. (bike manufacture date - 7/11)
It does fit loosely and comes out with almost no effort, but is definitely not plastic.

I could be wrong - only felt it once while it was still there but it didn't feel rubbery. For instance, like the frame plugs on the side of the bike.

Will know for sure when the new part comes in. You're probably right, it just felt hard like plastic.

 

[twflybum]

Will know for sure when the new part comes in. You're probably right, it just felt hard like plastic.

Ahh.. kool. I was just wondering if maybe they changed materials along the way.. ::003::

 

[cbat]

Mine is rubber too. Maybe it fits loose do that any moisture from condensation will evaporate and not be trapped inside.

sent from a phone, excuse typos

 

[Karson]

That thought crossed my mind, but I think if you look underneath the axle on the right side, there is what appears to be a drain hole. Again, could be wrong...

 

[squarebore]

Thanks for the notice. Mine was ready to fall out. I don't think it would have mattered though as I do mainly road work.

 

[Mark R.]

It surprises me that yamaha doesn't make this plug out of rubber and a bit bigger in dimensions to fit, instead of the poor fitting "plastic".

I think I probably lost mine in one of the 10 water crossings...

I can only assume the water helped it float off, since it was barely held on anyway...

Karson: Nice pic of you and your Tenere doing what the bike was meant to do. Is that in Iowa?

 

[Salmon Sam]

I like all the tidbits you find out about your bike from this forum.
Checked mine last night. It is rubber and hadn't fallen out, but certainly does not seem to be in there very tightly. Very easy to pull off. Can't believe that it didn't fall out with my rides in the dirt this fall, especially with some of those washboard gravel roads which shook out my fillings! Anyone know the purpose of it?
Yes, great pic, Karson.

 

[snakebitten]

Mines not there. No telling how long it's been gone.

 

[RED CAT]

Even though there is a drain hole on the drive shaft side, dirt and crud will still build up around that seal at the knuckle eventually. Leave it long enough and Greg has told us what happens with a write up on the seal replacement with special tool requirements. Don't let it happen!

 

[EJV]

Mines not there. No telling how long it's been gone.

Ah, mine has been missing for 2 years and 39,000 miles now or so. I bet it is still in that mud pit.... ;D

No more rocks have jumped in either.

 

[TwoShots]

Awesome tip for a noob. Thanks, Karson.

::008::

 

[Dirt_Dad]

After reading through this thread I was surprised to see both of mine are still in place. I wasn't expecting that.

 

[Karson]

Is that in Iowa?

I WISH! Unfortunately, I had to ride 9 hours south to Arkansas for that. Hurricane Creek, I believe.

While SW CO has breathtaking views while riding offroad, routes in NW AR can hold their own just as easy.

Anyone know the purpose of it?

I am far, far from a knowledgeable person re: metals, but just for sake of conversation could it be something used for access as part of the casting process? A weldor like Jaxon might have better insight on that theory ::008::

 

[Brick]

Mine was loose... I cleaned it and put it back with silicone.
Thanks


Brick

 

[Travex]

Thanks for the great tip Karson! Mine was on the edge and will be fixed tomorrow. ::003::

 

[greg the pole]

I was at my dealer yesterday for no apparent reason.
He had a black tenere sitting outside, showed him how well the plug is kept in..

needless to say he was surprised that they are barely in there.

 

[Leftlane]

Add me to the list its gone. I will silicone the next one in.
Thanks for the heads up.

 

[trikepilot]

So if you go out and find your swingarm hole cover(s) missing - is it OK to just order a new one and glue it into place? Or does one need to inspect the inside of the swingarm for debris and clean it out somehow before putting the new cap into place? Mine is gone. Never even knew one was there till this thread. Mine could been gone since I bought the bike used a year ago.

 

[RockyDS]

So if you go out and find your swingarm hole cover(s) missing - is it OK to just order a new one and glue it into place? Or does one need to inspect the inside of the swingarm for debris and clean it out somehow before putting the new cap into place? Mine is gone. Never even knew one was there till this thread. Mine could been gone since I bought the bike used a year ago.

Great question.

And thanks for the tip, Karson. I'll tramp through the foot of snow to my garage and check mine tonight.

 

[wfopete]

Mine is happily stuck in it's place. Apparently this condition does not apply to commuter bikes.