Rocker arm grease nipple

[PDQScooter]

Just did the swap. I was pleasently surprised that the whole zerk fitting was missing. I was sweating bullets that I would have to extract the broken grease fitting. I just ran a 6mm x 1.0 tap in the hole to clean up the threads, flushed it out with brakekleen, greased all three points then installed bolts in the two low locations. I did use never seize on the bolt threads since I am concerned about the aluminum to steel reaction. Took less than 20 minutes including two trips to the fridge for "Kool-Aid"

[road runner]

First off what would you do with a third nipple eneyway? And to answer the question yes mine broke off within the first 1000 miles,I replaced it with a new one and last time I was changing the oil I saw that it was gone agian. I to think that it was a bad design.

[Silver Wolf]

Originally Posted by TimB

Hi all, I'm relatively new on the block here but have been following the forum for some time now. This is truly a great forum!

I've had my 900 LT for a year now (just about to turn 8k miles) and have profited greatly from all the collective wisdom...I have the various posters herein to thank for recommendations on lowers, crashbar, horns, and tires...THANKS!

I have a problem and would like to tap the collective wisdom of the group once again. I've been noticing little oil (at least I thought oil) spots in my garage. I wasn't sure it was my bike, until I looked underneath and found the middle grease nipple gone from the rocker arm which is typically home to three grease nipples. The middle grease nipple fits to the tie rod, all parts of the rear suspension (i.e., see p417 of the service manual). For those of you that don't have a manual, it's a silver casting behind the engine that connects to the frame at the front, what's called a tie rod in the middle and the spring to the rear. I haven't taken a good look at it yet with plenty of light, but from what I can see, it looks like I've hit something as it looks like a small part of the casting at the back of the nipple hole is gone. I may have done it when I was two-up on the bike, but I honestly can't remember.

The orientation of these fittings doesn't appear to be well thought out as it would seem to make the 900s prone to having the nipples knocked off (yea, I know, another bad mental image! ).

I've got another nipple to replace it and am hopeful I can get out any remaining nipple and have enough threads left.

Has anyone else seen this on their 900s? Am I crazy for thinking this is a questionable design?

Quite a few of us have, I thought their were only 2 fittings till I read this thread. I bought 2 new ones from the dealer, but found out that they are 6mm straight thread. I was looking for bolts in Home Depot and saw a drawer of grease fittings and bought a few extra at a cheaper price.

The stock one are cheap cheap material, but being straight thread they are easy to remove where broke off. One member replaced the fitting with a flush plug.

[socalmarcus]

I'm gonna revive this thread because yesterday I went over a speed bump at a hardware store (think they made it tall & narrow on purpose?) and bottomed out. Pulled around to check it out and discovered the middle grease zerk missing - ripped completely out, left a little thread damage. Looks just like Hardwire's on p.1 and Belrix's on p.2.

So who's supposed to put grease in there? Looking up the hole with a flashlight and small mirror it's clean and shinny. I removed the rear zerk - same thing.

I've got it plugged with a bit of duct tape now to keep road junk out. I'm gonna grease them up and do the Belrix fix on p.3. The hole is threaded beyond what the zerk will reach (and damage) and I'd like to use it.

Thanks to Hardwire and Belrix for making this thread all that needs to be said and shown on this common problem.

Now go check your udder.

[RichLockyer]

Yup... real common issue, and it's a really stupid design.
They should have cross-drilled the arm to connect all 3 chambers and mounted a single nipple in a protected area.


But at least you have one. On the 1500/1600, we have to remove the swingarm and grease the needle bearings by hand... but honestly, once the rear tire is off, 75% of the job is done, and we need to inspect the u-joint and lube the driveshaft splines anyways, and the easiest way to do those is to remove the swingarm.

[jimboy61]

mmmmmmm...grease nipples....rrrgghhhrrrgrrghgrrhh

[Hardwire]

Originally Posted by socalmarcus

I'm gonna revive this thread because yesterday I went over a speed bump at a hardware store (think they made it tall & narrow on purpose?) and bottomed out. Pulled around to check it out and discovered the middle grease zerk missing - ripped completely out, left a little thread damage. Looks just like Hardwire's on p.1 and Belrix's on p.2.

So who's supposed to put grease in there? Looking up the hole with a flashlight and small mirror it's clean and shinny. I removed the rear zerk - same thing.

I've got it plugged with a bit of duct tape now to keep road junk out. I'm gonna grease them up and do the Belrix fix on p.3. The hole is threaded beyond what the zerk will reach (and damage) and I'd like to use it.

Thanks to Hardwire and Belrix for making this thread all that needs to be said and shown on this common problem.

Now go check your udder.

I know it seemed like there was no grease in there when I checked mine... All three took alot to get it to squeeze out... I just hope they at least greased the bearings before putting it together..

[VIVADUDE]

Checked my 07 today and all was good ( 3 fittings and full of grease). I didn't want to push my luck so I did the hex head bolt swap on the lower 2........

[ClarkeyBalboa]

Gonna check this today after work. Can anyone tell me if the 3 nipples on the rocker arm are the only grease fittings on the bike, or are there more that i need to maintain?

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by ClarkeyBalboa

Gonna check this today after work. Can anyone tell me if the 3 nipples on the rocker arm are the only grease fittings on the bike, or are there more that i need to maintain?

I think that's it, maybe two on the swingarm pivot. If there aren't, then the swingarm should be pulled every 15k or so and the needle bearings greased (I do mine every rear tire change since 75% of the work is done when the tire is off).

[Hot Cruiser]

Since periodic maintenance includes repacking the steering stem bearings Kawi should have installed appropriate zerk fittings on the steering head.

[nvbirdman]

Everybody seems to be quite concerned about the aluminum to steel reaction.
What do you think the zerk fittings are made from? (Hint:I bet it's not aluminum.)

[bobkat]

Yup mines was missin also and I replaced it but I couldn't get as much grease in as I would like. I pumped some in but it didn't squirt out anywhere. I will have to take it out and make sure it isn't plugged or somethin.

[ersterhernd]

Originally Posted by Hot Cruiser

Since periodic maintenance includes repacking the steering stem bearings Kawi should have installed appropriate zerk fittings on the steering head.

Yeah, I agree. They likely do it only to create more revenue for their service depts, or more opportunity to test the learning curve of the do-it-yourselfers.

Mine's coming apart this winter when the insurance expires for the season. It'll be a couple of thousand km overdue, but thats ok.

[ClarkeyBalboa]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

I think that's it, maybe two on the swingarm pivot. If there aren't, then the swingarm should be pulled every 15k or so and the needle bearings greased (I do mine every rear tire change since 75% of the work is done when the tire is off).

Thanks Rich

[Hot Cruiser]

I noted the same problem as others have with their VN900s - the points to be greased were dry when I got the bike from the dealer. I've since pumped quite a lot of grease into the fittings. So far none has broken off, but I'm going to do what has been suggested - replace the fittings with short bolts until servicing time.

[HoopleHead]

Yup I broke mine right after lowering the bike 3" and then went over a bad slant into a parking lot. I try to hit quick rises like that at an angle now.