Before this gets into being a hot button topic discussion, it seems like we have 2 camps/ideologies regarding the zerk fitting, and it's effectiveness in lubricating the final drive splines. CZ has some good analysis and points, supported by a fellow knowledgeable member and rider with 80+K miles without ever taking the FD/Swingarm apart. It would seem that in a perfect situation, the grease would get and stay where it's supposed to, however, as Scott and another have pointed out, the grease often gets beyond the retaining washer and into the swingarm, leaving the final drive splines/chamber relatively dry and free of ample grease!
Seems like folks can use the zerk fitting to apply grease to the chamber, but would be a good idea to inspect it's effectiveness during a tire change, to separate the swingarm/FD and physically inspect the chamber for the presence or absence of grease. If ample grease found, then their zerk fitting is working, and they can probably continue to use it alone to provide the required maintenance of greasing the splines. However, if they find that the grease has migrated out of the chamber and into the swingarm shaft, then they have a FD/Swingarm that is loosing it's grease..possibly prematurely, and would be advised to perform an application of grease with every tire change or even more often depending on mileage attained, etc!.
T.C.
Seems like folks can use the zerk fitting to apply grease to the chamber, but would be a good idea to inspect it's effectiveness during a tire change, to separate the swingarm/FD and physically inspect the chamber for the presence or absence of grease. If ample grease found, then their zerk fitting is working, and they can probably continue to use it alone to provide the required maintenance of greasing the splines. However, if they find that the grease has migrated out of the chamber and into the swingarm shaft, then they have a FD/Swingarm that is loosing it's grease..possibly prematurely, and would be advised to perform an application of grease with every tire change or even more often depending on mileage attained, etc!.
T.C.
Comment