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When Ester Rantzen launched her war against Reliant for the failed steering box mountings, it was a similar problem. The design worked fine if greased every (can't remember but it was something daft like every 3000 miles). Naturally, people didn't bother doing that, so things seized up and the loads on the bracket got big enough to start fatigue cracks - with disasterous consequences. When I learned to drive, I was in old 1970s car and you stil lsaw Triumph Heralds occasionally at the side of the road where those horrible brass trunnions on the bottom wishbones had pulled out - usually because they hadn't been greased for ages and the brass screw thread had worn away to nothing. I regularly had to strip and re-grease taper-roller wheel bearings (and still do on my trailer!) but I can't remember the last time I did anything on a modern car wheel bearing. I think greasing points only really work for enthusiasts. (And I expect most bikers are more enthusiasic than most car drivers)!

Thinking about Zippo's bike, I wonder whether it was a smart move on Kawasaki's part? Considering Malcolm's comments on reciprocating bearings having a harder time than rotating ones (and things that swing in a partial arc having the worst time of all!) I wonder whether they deliberately didn't put in a grease nipple to force the maintainer to remove the parts, knowing that the chances of them ever going back in precisely the same positions and orientations was very remote? That would be one way of evening out the wear on a set of components that only ever described a partial arc, I guess?

Most bearings can be got from non-genuine sources, would think the bearings will be a standard size, but the pivot shafts and seals very probably not, wouldn't think there would be enough demand to warrant anyone making them.

Yup I did have a plan to fit grease nipples, but never did get around to it ... yet!! I have it on my list of "things I'll get around to doing when I win the lottery and have loads of time to do stuff I never get round to doing" ...

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You only need two tools - WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape. :0)

The reliant failure we largely down to the lack of lubrication applied to the kingpin and bushes.
Coupled to the rapid wear of those parts......and that annoying phosphor bronze load washer which would wear no matter how much the thing was greased.
Excessive grease filled the front brake (the sealing discs on the top and bottom of the kingpin didn't...seal) and that even more irritating cotter pin never fitted after the second/third reassembly, so you had to either have one made new....or buy a new swinging arm.....
Motorcycles are prone to not lasting long. My K1100 has only done 70,000 and the paint on the rear damper is rusting through.....and my previous K100 only lasted 360,000 miles.

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The world runs on oil, period. No other substance can compete when it comes to energy density, flexibility, ease of handling, ease of transportation. If oil didn’t exist we would have to invent it.”

56 years after it was decided it was needed, the Bedford Bypass is nearing completion. The last single carriageway length of it.We have the most photogenic mayor though, always being photographed doing nothing

But when you win the lottery you will be able to employ a man to strip the bearings every Wednesday and Saturday

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When I see an adult on a bicycle, I do not despair for the future of the human race. H.G. Wells
When I see a youth in a motor car I do d.c.brown

This thread has just made me realise that I used to own a grease gun in the 70s but obviously loaned it to someone and never got it back. (Can’t remember how many tools I’ve lost that way). Anyway, I was going to say it’s a sign of the times that I haven’t missed it or thought about it until now because we just don’t need them any more.

It feels like I could use a grease nipple on my right knee mind. The joys of getting old eh...

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Nah I like doing a bit of fettling, mind you I could employ a man to fit the grease nipples in the first place Mrs Zippo on the other hand might be tempted to just employ a man to strip ..... never mind anything about bearings oooeeerrrr Mrs that's a bit naughty

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You only need two tools - WD40 and duct tape. If it doesn't move and it should, use WD40. If it moves and it shouldn't, use duct tape. :0)