Yamaha WR250R Mega Thread - Page 2223

SR1 · 02-23-2013, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 8gv

Forgive my heretic status (no WR250R yet) but what I liked most about your video was hearing an engine that makes power at a reasonable rpm. My KLR250 would be screaming running at 2000 more rpm than your bike. This fall I'll be riding blue. I can't wait.

You know, lots of people say they have to rev the WR high to get it to perform, but that's exactly the same RPM band I'd be in in the same trail conditions. I think the bike has plenty of grunt off-idle with just a "mild" gearing (13/47) and exhaust upgrade. Granted, I'm not "fast" but that's where I'd be riding.

Pantah · 02-23-2013, 05:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bash3r

I did all the calcs at first.. then said forget it.. am I doing this or not!! But do spend wisely, it's *only* a motorcycle

That's what I tell myself too. Am I doing this or not...

I never regret it either.

viper770 · 02-23-2013, 06:50 AM

well everyone has defferent riding styles and needs so same set up will not work for everybody

KansasBob · 02-23-2013, 07:18 AM

Does anyone know why Yamaha filled the needle bearings in the rear suspension linkage "rocker" with plastic material rather than grease? It's the first time I've seen it done that way.

The only thing I can think of.... is that there isn't very much travel in those bearings? It doesn't make sense to me, because there isn't any room for lubricant, and if water makes it's way in I would think they would be prone to rust more quickly?

viper770 · 02-23-2013, 07:50 AM

did you go ahead and fill it with grease?

UtahFox · 02-23-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viper770

well everyone has defferent riding styles and needs so same set up will not work for everybody

My problem is I need it set up for ALL styles :)

SkidMarx · 02-23-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KansasBob

Does anyone know why Yamaha filled the needle bearings in the rear suspension linkage "rocker" with plastic material rather than grease? It's the first time I've seen it done that way.

The only thing I can think of.... is that there isn't very much travel in those bearings? It doesn't make sense to me, because there isn't any room for lubricant, and if water makes it's way in I would think they would be prone to rust more quickly?

It's a porous plastic that holds and releases the lubricant as needed. Best if you leave it there, but not the end of the world if you dug it out and replaced with a good grease.

YZEtc · 02-23-2013, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KansasBob

Does anyone know why Yamaha filled the needle bearings in the rear suspension linkage "rocker" with plastic material rather than grease? It's the first time I've seen it done that way.

The only thing I can think of.... is that there isn't very much travel in those bearings? It doesn't make sense to me, because there isn't any room for lubricant, and if water makes it's way in I would think they would be prone to rust more quickly?

This type of needle bearing is used on a lot of later-model Yamaha motorcycles at the rear suspension.

Probably because the bearing functions just fine with that number of rollers spaced apart via the needle cage.
Less rollers spaced with a cage are lighter and have less friction.
The plastic-like material is lighter than a steel cage.

You can't pack it with a large amount of grease, but it'll hold grease that will keep the bearing alive just fine as long as you do what needs to be done periodically no matter what bearing is used:
Take it apart for a cleaning and greasing, inspecting the bearing, collars, and seals.
Also important to clean and grease the bolt that goes through the whole works.

YZEtc · 02-23-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkidMarx

It's a porous plastic that holds and releases the lubricant as needed. Best if you leave it there, but not the end of the world if you dug it out and replaced with a good grease.

I've read about guys digging at it thinking it was "hardened grease".

SkidMarx · 02-23-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YZEtc

I've read about guys digging at it thinking it was "hardened grease".

Me too. It's in this thread waaaay back. That's why I pointed out that it isn't the end of the world if it's done. Grease works fine too.

YZEtc · 02-23-2013, 09:28 AM

So that means there's still a race holding the needles even if the plastic is removed?
Never removed mine.

rjnutt · 02-23-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YZEtc

So that means there's still a race holding the needles even if the plastic is removed?
Never removed mine.

No, the plastic/silicon holds the needle bearings....do not remove it.

DaymienRules · 02-23-2013, 10:44 AM

All of that plastic stuff in the linkage bearings came out on day 1. I just assumed it was a showroom/assembly product only, as I could see no way to either fully clean the bearings or fully pack them with out those little sticks coming out.

KansasBob · 02-23-2013, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viper770

did you go ahead and fill it with grease?

I thought about it for a while............ and since I'm sure I know more than the engineers of some of the most reliable equipment on the planet......... I dug the stuff out!

I offer the 2008 rubber damped chain skipping rear sprocket as proof that no one is perfect!

I can tell you this, the "filler" doesn't hold the needles apart at all. When I greased the race, and stacked the needles back in, it was completely full. The needles were tight together, as I would have expected.
Now the bearings that were in the "Link" didn't have the stuff in them. They came apart and went back together as usual. Swing arm bearings were in a cage.
Everything was really in pretty good shape, and could have probably gone another season, but since it was apart, and the snow's a foot deep I did them all. I don't do a whole bunch of deep water crossings, and the only thing that showed any problem was the bolt through the bearing in the middle of the swing arm. It had rusted a little, and had to be tapped out with a punch and hammer. Just light tapping was all.
It's all back together now, so I just stopped for a cup of coffee, and printed torque spec page from the manual. Back to work.

pfy50 · 02-23-2013, 10:59 AM

Is this maybe a good time to ask who sells a good set of bearings for the rear linkage, shock bearing and swingarm bearings that may be better than Yam. OEM? I've heard some bad things about ALL BALLS/MOOSE RACING/MSR/Chinese garbage bearings over in thumper talk, any other Brands? I have a need to redo all of them before my trip this summer.

ps. What's recommended to clean the old bearings prior to regreasing if they are not replaced?
I later found this link that explains quit a bit about that "plastic stuff" http://www.thumperfaq.com/swingarm.htm

02-23-2013, 06:50 AM	#33333
viper770 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Hutchinson, Ks USA Oddometer: 231	well everyone has defferent riding styles and needs so same set up will not work for everybody __________________ 2012 YAMAHA WR250R 2013 KAWASAKI KLR650 "Take the long way home" YOU GOT TO WATCH ---->http://vimeo.com/53311329

02-23-2013, 07:50 AM	#33335
viper770 Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Dec 2011 Location: Hutchinson, Ks USA Oddometer: 231	did you go ahead and fill it with grease? __________________ 2012 YAMAHA WR250R 2013 KAWASAKI KLR650 "Take the long way home" YOU GOT TO WATCH ---->http://vimeo.com/53311329

02-23-2013, 10:59 AM	#33345
pfy50 Professional nOOb Joined: Aug 2006 Location: Oneida, Tenn. Oddometer: 350	Bearings Is this maybe a good time to ask who sells a good set of bearings for the rear linkage, shock bearing and swingarm bearings that may be better than Yam. OEM? I've heard some bad things about ALL BALLS/MOOSE RACING/MSR/Chinese garbage bearings over in thumper talk, any other Brands? I have a need to redo all of them before my trip this summer. ps. What's recommended to clean the old bearings prior to regreasing if they are not replaced? I later found this link that explains quit a bit about that "plastic stuff" http://www.thumperfaq.com/swingarm.htm __________________ My Odyssey: http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=566875 2011 WR250R,2008 KTM 990 ADV,2004 KAWA Concours May the Lord bless you and keep you in all the Dark places you must travel pfy50 screwed with this post 02-23-2013 at 11:11 AM

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02-23-2013, 07:18 AM	#33334
KansasBob Gnarly Adventurer Joined: Apr 2008 Location: Topeka Oddometer: 454	Does anyone know why Yamaha filled the needle bearings in the rear suspension linkage "rocker" with plastic material rather than grease? It's the first time I've seen it done that way. The only thing I can think of.... is that there isn't very much travel in those bearings? It doesn't make sense to me, because there isn't any room for lubricant, and if water makes it's way in I would think they would be prone to rust more quickly?

02-23-2013, 09:28 AM	#33341
YZEtc Feel lucky? Joined: Nov 2010 Location: Connecticut Oddometer: 77	So that means there's still a race holding the needles even if the plastic is removed? Never removed mine.

02-23-2013, 10:44 AM	#33343
DaymienRules Traffic target Joined: Jul 2008 Location: vancouver, bc Oddometer: 119	All of that plastic stuff in the linkage bearings came out on day 1. I just assumed it was a showroom/assembly product only, as I could see no way to either fully clean the bearings or fully pack them with out those little sticks coming out.