Broken Swingarm Bolt (also New Member)

Baskt_Case · 09-24-2019, 12:56 PM

Hello all, long time lurker, first time poster. I'm active in the Hawk 250 Enduro Owners Facebook Group as Aaron. Some of you may have seen my Top Speed Data List floating around here. I own a 2018 Hawk that I purchased used with 800 miles on it.

Today we have 1600 miles with a broken swingarm bolt. This was found during my routine Saturday morning maintenance. No idea how long I had been riding that way, but no more than a week. My Hawk is my daily commuter and gets glanced over regularly but Saturday is maintenance and inspection day.

After much research, no quick local proper replacement could be found. As many of you know, this is not a regular hardware store item. And if you didnt, now you do. Proper replacement specifications are M14x1.5x260mm. Anything over 150mm long becomes increasingly difficult to find. So here were my options, not including shipping...

Lowes N/A
ACE N/A
Local Mom n' Pop N/A
Txpowersports and similar $25+
CSC $6
Ebay China Bolt $15
Fastenal $50
McMaster Carr $35 (9/16 instead of 14mm)
Bolt Depot $40
Emergency only Class 12.9 alloy all-thread $25

So I ended up ordering from CSC. 2 new swingarm pins, front/rear axles, chain adjusters, umbrella seals, wahers and nuts for $89 including 2 day shipping. It's been 4 days and I dont have a tracking number and no email response yet.

In the meantime, I'm planning serious upgrade. I can get 4140 Chrome Moly rod for $10/ft, and we have a machine shop at work. If I want to go fancy, I can get a piece of A5 Certified Titanium for $60.

I also ordered a really nice D.I.D. X-Ring Chain, some Maxima Waterproof Grease and a dirt bike stand from Amazon. Will probably be addressing wheel bearings and studs soon so that I can forget about major driveline problems for several thousand miles.

**JerryHawk250** · 09-24-2019, 01:05 PM

You can order from CSC. The TT250 uses the same bolt. The difference is that the TT250 has a nut on each end but will work. https://store.cscmotorcycles.com/TT2...p/zt27-105.htm

Baskt_Case · 09-24-2019, 01:09 PM

Hi Jerry, thanks. As per my post I ordered from CSC.

**JerryHawk250** · 09-24-2019, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baskt_Case

Hi Jerry, thanks. As per my post I ordered from CSC.

Ah yes. I read right over that. lol

AresROC · 09-24-2019, 01:41 PM

Wow, how much did you torque your swing arm? According to one CSC blog, there are no specs for wing-arm bolt. I used 45 ft-lb when I greased mine.

Baskt_Case · 09-24-2019, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AresROC

Wow, how much did you torque your swing arm?

None. I have not taken a single tool to that bolt since I bought the bike. Previous owner may have applied excessive torque. As a side note, my bike is primarily a highway machine. No serious abuse here.

I'd like to see what kind of interest there would be in a group purchase of custom 4140 Chrome Moly Heat Treated swingarm pins, since theres no proven upgrade available.

OneLeggedRider · 09-24-2019, 01:55 PM

Hey Aaron good to see ya on here.

Yes folks this bright young man came up with the idea and recorded the data for the top speed averages which I gave him credit for, all I did was plug the numbers.

He also found the LED turn signals and taillight bulbs for me (I went with a different headlight). And he's very thorough when it comes to working on his bike.

The swingarm bolts are notoriously weak and poor quality. It has nothing to do with over torquing them. You just look down one day and notice the head of the bolt is missing.

AresROC · 09-24-2019, 02:02 PM

My highly uneducated guess is that the swingarm was never greased. Usually the rubber bushing inside the swingarm breaks before the swingarm bolt. Greasing my swingarm now with pics to follow!

Baskt_Case · 09-24-2019, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OneLeggedRider

Hey Aaron good to see ya on here.

Hey man! Thanks for the warm welcome. Figured I'm far enough into the madness that is Hawk ownership, might as well come over here and wallow around a bit!

Eagerly awaiting my parts from CSC. Not exactly impressed with their order fulfillment process thus far.

Weldangrind · 09-25-2019, 11:44 AM

Welcome!

Baskt_Case · 09-25-2019, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Weldangrind

Welcome!

Thanks!

Ordered my parts Saturday. Paid $40 for express. Just got my tracking number last night. Hasn't even been taken to the carrier yet.

Megadan · 09-25-2019, 04:07 PM

There is a bolt out there that would work perfectly, but its 27 bucks. The CSC axle is a better design for a swing arm pivot than a bolt. Much stronger and less prone to torsional stress that would cause the type of failure you have seen.

Baskt_Case · 09-25-2019, 06:57 PM

Does anyone know what dust seals are used in the front and rear wheels? CSC specifies sizes but not a universal part number. I'm familiar with the links for the All Balls "kits" but they dont specify if seals are even included.

Also, my apologies but for some reason I cannot use the search function in the toolbar with my phone. It brings up the search box but when I click to type text, it dissapears.

OneLeggedRider · 09-25-2019, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baskt_Case

Does anyone know what dust seals are used in the front and rear wheels? CSC specifies sizes but not a universal part number. I'm familiar with the links for the All Balls "kits" but they dont specify if seals are even included.

Also, my apologies but for some reason I cannot use the search function in the toolbar with my phone. It brings up the search box but when I click to type text, it dissapears.

My phone does the same, click on "advanced search" when the drop down menu opens.

09-24-2019, 01:05 PM	#2
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,578	You can order from CSC. The TT250 uses the same bolt. The difference is that the TT250 has a nut on each end but will work. https://store.cscmotorcycles.com/TT2...p/zt27-105.htm __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
	1

09-24-2019, 01:41 PM	#5
AresROC Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 193	Wow, how much did you torque your swing arm? According to one CSC blog, there are no specs for wing-arm bolt. I used 45 ft-lb when I greased mine. __________________ BaShan BSR 250 DB-41H 2018 Red BS250GY-18D JFG Racing Exhaust . Adjustable Shock 320mm . Brozz Digital Gauge . Renthal Fat Bar . 428 17x46 Sprocket . Fender Eliminator . Wheel Truing . Fuel Tank Repair . Keihin PZ30 Main-115 Pilot-38 Needle-1Washer Fuel Mixture-1/2 BSR Chronicles - "Project leads to more projects!" Yamaha WR250R Suzuki GSX-R 600
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09-24-2019, 02:02 PM	#8
AresROC Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 193	My highly uneducated guess is that the swingarm was never greased. Usually the rubber bushing inside the swingarm breaks before the swingarm bolt. Greasing my swingarm now with pics to follow! __________________ BaShan BSR 250 DB-41H 2018 Red BS250GY-18D JFG Racing Exhaust . Adjustable Shock 320mm . Brozz Digital Gauge . Renthal Fat Bar . 428 17x46 Sprocket . Fender Eliminator . Wheel Truing . Fuel Tank Repair . Keihin PZ30 Main-115 Pilot-38 Needle-1Washer Fuel Mixture-1/2 BSR Chronicles - "Project leads to more projects!" Yamaha WR250R Suzuki GSX-R 600
	1

09-25-2019, 11:44 AM	#10
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Welcome! __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

09-25-2019, 04:07 PM	#12
Megadan Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 8,044	There is a bolt out there that would work perfectly, but its 27 bucks. The CSC axle is a better design for a swing arm pivot than a bolt. Much stronger and less prone to torsional stress that would cause the type of failure you have seen. __________________ Hawk Information and Resource guide: http://www.chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=20331 2018 Hawk 250 - Full Mod list here. http://www.chinariders.net/showpost....62&postcount=1 2024 Royal Enfield Shotgun 650 https://chinariders.net/showthread.php?t=34124
	2

09-24-2019, 01:09 PM	#3
Baskt_Case Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Springfield, KY Posts: 83	Hi Jerry, thanks. As per my post I ordered from CSC.
	1

09-24-2019, 01:55 PM	#7
OneLeggedRider Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Stockport, Oh. Posts: 1,442	Hey Aaron good to see ya on here. Yes folks this bright young man came up with the idea and recorded the data for the top speed averages which I gave him credit for, all I did was plug the numbers. He also found the LED turn signals and taillight bulbs for me (I went with a different headlight). And he's very thorough when it comes to working on his bike. The swingarm bolts are notoriously weak and poor quality. It has nothing to do with over torquing them. You just look down one day and notice the head of the bolt is missing.
	3

09-25-2019, 06:57 PM	#13
Baskt_Case Join Date: Sep 2019 Location: Springfield, KY Posts: 83	Does anyone know what dust seals are used in the front and rear wheels? CSC specifies sizes but not a universal part number. I'm familiar with the links for the All Balls "kits" but they dont specify if seals are even included. Also, my apologies but for some reason I cannot use the search function in the toolbar with my phone. It brings up the search box but when I click to type text, it dissapears.
	0