Posts
302
Joined
1/23/2021
Location
Salt Lake City, UT, USA
Edited Date/Time
12/12/2023 8:26pm
Probably a stupid question - Is my bike missing needle bearings? Bike is a 2019 KTM 350 that I've owned since its had 3 hours. To my knowledge, the bearings have never been serviced before. First KTM I've owned. Never seen a swingarm look like it's missing a single needle bearing. Thanks! 
It looks like it's missing grease between the needles that will take up the space between them.
Sure looks like it to me. Easy to fall out if they gave been serviced, wouldn't be shocked if it was like that from new.
There is a Gap between the needles thats normal , if you are not sure you can try one single needle from the other bearing side if it fits the Gap but i think no
If it’s wide enough for another bearing, they are most likely between the inner or outer seal and the bearing race. I had the same issue. The first time I greased mine, I drove myself crazy trying to find the missing bearing. Irritating design in my opinion. It should be fairly tight without that gap.
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I can‘t understand why KTM changed the Design, on my 1997 KTM 360 and all older KTM there is a bearing with Cage
On my Husquarna that loose Needle Bearing make me crazy so i replaced it with a Caged HK -2212 Bearing it’s that much easier to Service
Caged bearings are much easier to handle and service, but have a lower load rating as there are fewer needle bearings making contact with the races. This may or may not be a problem for you, but they'll need replacing more often.
This happened to me as well, the fact that I am going blind did not help…I actually ordered 1 oem bearing to have spare needles…I have since came up with a way to grease the bearings w/out dealing with the needles falling out. I only slide the spacer out 1/2 way from the bearing cage, grease the needles exposed, then slide spacer the other way and then grease the other side..not sliding the spacer out all the way keeps the needles in the cage… I actually found a few needles in my grease container one time😂
Genius idea for greasing! Definitely going to use that next time I pull a swingarm apart.
Agreed, good call! Going to use it as well.
I ran into this on a 2021 GasGas MC450. I thought I lost one needle of the swingarm bearing, because of the gap that you mentioned. I ordered a new bearing just for one needle, and it did not fit. It looked like there was room, but turns out there is not.
Judging by the picture and my experience greasing KTM bikes, I’d say you are not missing any.
The same i mention above there is a normal Gap , if one Needle fits in there is one missing .
The normal Gap is around a half needle of Space , i also had removed them completely for cleaning as i remember Right there should be 37 Needles per Bearing
The few times I’ve lost a needle I’ve snipped the end off a pop rivet to fit, works in a pinch 👍🏻
Want to give an update on this in case anyone ever has this question in the future. I ordered a new bearing and it's the same way. As some of you said, it looks like it's missing a single needle bearing, but it's not. See the picture below of the new bearing. Interesting for sure. Thanks again for the responses.
Gaps normal. I know I'm late to the party.
If you want to avoid having to pull the swingarm and risk losing needles, as well as being able to grease it in seconds, I highly recommend the Bewlbar by Steelhorse Innovations. Replaces the swingarm pivot and inner sleeves. https://www.facebook.com/SteelHorse.Innovations/
I just spent 40 minutes looking for a needle tonight. I changed my shock spring on my 300xc, just took linkage loose and dropped spring. Wanted to grease bearings before i put it back together and didnt realize they were loose needle and pushed about10 out. Cleaned and greased them as i put them back in with tweezers and pick. Was left with a gap that looked like one more would fit. Looked pretty hard for it. Finally i pushed the bushing out of the other one enough to expose needles and pushed them with my pick and sure enough there was the same gap. I hate loose needle bearing, especially little ones.
I went through same scenario few years ago…. Good times👌
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