Missing swingarm plug... advice needed.

[78YZ]

I lost the rubber plug on my swingarm. They are back ordered until at least February. Here are my concerns and questions.

I ride my S10 off-road and the swingarm is regularly submerged. I am sure some dirt and water entered.
Do I need to worry about that? Can I just rinse it out with clean water, then blow high pressure air in there? I will ride all winter so I guess I'll have to duct tape the hole until my plugs come in. Oh, these first world problems. ::025::

 

[trikepilot]

This is a longtime problem well documented here. When your replacement arrives, apply it with a bead of RTV gasket sealer or something else similar to ensure it stays in place. Do that to the other plugs in the swingarm as well.

There have been some reports of final drive problems "attributed" to dirt and debris entering this hole when a plug goes missing, but I am not sure if cause/effect was definitively proven. Were it me... I'd drop my swingarm and make sure you get it good and cleaned out and get a good set of eyes on all the final drive seals. As an added benefit, you can clean, inspect, and regrease the swingarm bearings that more often than not come very "dry" from the factory.

 

[78YZ]

There have been some reports of final drive problems "attributed" to dirt and debris entering this hole when a plug goes missing, but I am not sure if cause/effect was definitively proven. Were it me... I'd drop my swingarm and make sure you get it good and cleaned out and get a good set of eyes on all the final drive seals. As an added benefit, you can clean, inspect, and regrease the swingarm bearings that more often than not come very "dry" from the factory.

Can dirt get to the final drive through this hole? Is the swingarm section that the final drive runs through sealed from the rest of the [now open] swingarm?

 

[corndog]

Dirt/water can get to the final drive seals, then set to work on them. Pulling the swing-arm is a PITA. As a much easier alternative, I would just remove the rear drive from the left end of the swingarm and clean it that way. Moly grease the driveshaft splines while in there too. A vacuum and some flexible hose or pressurized air would get most of the crap out of the plug (right) side. I glued my plug in with silicone adhesive when the bike was brand new.

Where do you live? I would sell you a perfectly good spare I took off my wrecked Tenere and just order myself a new one.

 

[78YZ]

Dirt/water can get to the final drive seals, then set to work on them. Pulling the swing-arm is a PITA. As a much easier alternative, I would just remove the rear drive from the left end of the swingarm and clean it that way. Moly grease the driveshaft splines while in there too. A vacuum and some flexible hose or pressurized air would get most of the crap out of the plug (right) side. I glued my plug in with silicone adhesive when the bike was brand new.

Where do you live? I would sell you a perfectly good spare I took off my wrecked Tenere and just order myself a new one.

I am in NJ. I would really appreciate buying your spare. Let me know how much you want for it. Thanks!

 

[corndog]

I would want what it costs to replace it from Yamaha plus shipping by whatever method you choose. I intend to just order one as a spare since I too lost my original. It looks like brand new. I will go see if I can find it in the catastrophe I call my basement. Stay tuned.

 

[78YZ]

I would want what it costs to replace it from Yamaha plus shipping by whatever method you choose. I intend to just order one as a spare since I too lost my original. It looks like brand new. I will go see if I can find it in the catastrophe I call my basement. Stay tuned.

That works for me. ::008:: PM me your info and I'll pay you. Thanks again!

 

[bob dirt]

Did you google the part number? There are lots of sites selling yami parts

 

[corndog]

That works for me. ::008:: PM me your info and I'll pay you. Thanks again!

You might want to try what Bob Dirt suggested. My quick look was unsuccessful. If you can not find it on-line, PM me and I will send a search party down there. I know I still have it somewhere.

 

[78YZ]

Did you google the part number? There are lots of sites selling yami parts

Yes, about five sites before I went to Yamaha. Yamaha does not have any so none of the others (partzilla, yamahapartsnation, etc) have access. Yamaha found one in stock at a Vancouver dealer. I called but they will not ship to the USA.


corndog - I can replace your spare as soon as my backordered part comes in. I just want to get mine plugged after I clean it out on Sunday so I can ride.

 

[corndog]

I will look harder in AM. I wrapped my swingarm with duct tape when I lost the first one. I will reply back either way so you know.

 

[SilverBullet]

If corndog cant find his spare I also have a brand new one. Only issue is I wont be able to get it in the mail until after New Year's. If you dont find one sooner I'll be happy to send it to you then.

_

 

[78YZ]

If corndog cant find his spare I also have a brand new one. Only issue is I wont be able to get it in the mail until after New Year's. If you dont find one sooner I'll be happy to send it to you then.

_

Thanks!

 

[corndog]

Thanks!

You might want to take silver bullet up on his offer. I looked around in my basement today and it's still lost. Found some other stuff I have been looking for though. I am still going to keep looking because I kept the thing for my new Tenere.

 

[whisperquiet]

The easy, subtle solution is to remove the wheel and slide an old motorcycle inner tube that is cut to size over the swingarm so that it fits tightly and covers the plug area...........looks factory, works great, and no one will notice. It is a KLR solution to a S10 problem.

 

[RED CAT]

Common problem on the Gen 1 bikes. Was fixed on the Gen 2s. Much tighter fit.

 

[Juan]

Can somebody please post a pic of this rubber plug?

 

[Checkswrecks]

Can somebody please post a pic of this rubber plug?

Item #38

 

[Juan]

Thanks Checkswrecks. Mine is still there (2013 with 28k kms).

 

[78YZ]

FYI - someone said this was fixed on 2014+ models. When I cross checked the part number on the 2013 and 2014 microfiche, they are the same part number. I doubt they changed the casting so what changed? Are they now glued?