[fasteddiecopeman]

MOST of you will NEVER get this problem, because you don't have the miles on your V650, as I DO on BIG RED, my '08 (w/ 102,800 miles on the ODO). A couple of times lately when I parked in my garage after a ride, I would find an oily plastic piece under it, the next day. The TOP run of the guard was still visible, so I ordered a new guard (around $55 near as I recall), but not worrying about it, because looking at the swingarm I was very sure that the TOP run was the MOST vulnerable if the chain was 'slapping'. Here's the NEW guard.

IMG_2134 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

Well, a few days ago I figured what I would have to do, to change it. REMOVE the swingarm which entails raising the Versys so that BOTH ends are secure, but easily changed from one way to another - the rear wheel needs removal, so a paddock-stand will do THAT, but then you need ANOTHER way to support the rear that is NOT under the swingarm, so you can remove the swingarm. Out came my car-jack and a piece of scrap 2x4 about 12" long and two tie-down straps to attach to the ceiling (garage-opener supports) so the bike had a JUST IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY fall-back support.

IMG_2140 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

Here you can see the THREE supports in place, tho' you PROBABLY do NOT need the front raised thru the steering neck. The straps ARE in place, the rear wheel is OFF, and you can see the 2x4 waiting t'other side of the bike. As I proceeded I would be changing or adjusting the rear lifts, and using the jack c/w 2x4 under the muffler, while shortening the straps-tension AS REQUIRED.

Now I had removed the swingarm

IMG_2141 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

and you can NOW see the underside where there USED TO BE a chain-guard.

IMG_2142 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

Now the chain-guard's OFF, and you will see that there is NO DAMAGE to the upper section from the chain.

[I have seen a swingarm in the FOR SALE section that had been contacted by the chain, and worn - IF you keep your chain a bit 'slack' you WILL be damaging the swingarm. NOTE that neither the {VERY dirty} top or bottom of MINE shows any wear from chain contact EVEN after OVER 100 THOUSAND miles.]

So time to clean it top and bottom (that 'scaly' area is dirt mixed w/ WD40 residue, easily removed in a minute),

IMG_2144 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

and install the NEW chain-guard onto the CLEANER swingarm.

IMG_2145 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

While doing all this I was REGULARLY confirming that the bike was PROPERLY supported front, rear, UNDER and FROM THE CEILING, adjusting the straps as necessary (and PRAYING THAT I WOULD NOT END UP WEARING IT!!!)

Here's what that reminder of the OEM guard was looking like (c/w WD40 of course...).

IMG_2146 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

Before installing the swingarm I cleaned and lubed the "swingarm shaft", which looks QUITE similar to an "axle".

IMG_2147 by Ed Copeman, on Flickr

Now all that was needed was to re-install the rear wheel (w/ all spacers in the CORRECT location), and THE HARDEST PART...? The plastic cover for the engine-sprocket on MY Gen 1 can't be removed w/out LOOSENING the rear engine mount which supports the left-side SW-Motech engine guard. As BIG RED has been on its side once or twice during the last FIFTEEN YEARS, I've learned NOT to remove all those parts as I can NOT re-install them w/out help (mostly using some sort of a long lever to MOVE things a bit), so I needed to re-install the bottom of the two small bolts using the TIPS of two fingers to get the threads started so I could tighten it w/ a wrench.

Hard to believe, but I figure it took me AT LEAST TWO HOURS to get that lower bolt started so I could tighten it properly w/ an 8mm wrench, but... FINALLY I got it all back together, looking like NEW... (well ALMOST...).

And I went for a short ride yesterday, then adjusted the chain as all that work had tightened it, and tried it today, and

 

[JT in GA]

I like the way you keep on keeping on !

 

[dddd]

isn't there a 1" hole passing through the bike frame?

I'd put a pipe through and rest the pipe on a 2x4 structure similar to some in Front stand for steering bearing service

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

Yes there is, and I know others use THAT, but I've just done as I wrote-up.

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

I like the way you keep on keeping on !

Well it was EITHER THAT, or pay some dealership MUCHO DINERO for them to do the job. I'm an OLD retired guy....

 

[Gerinemo]

Did you consider replacing the bearings while the swingarm was out
My bike is on about 96000KM and I am considering doing it but the bolts that hold the swing arm looks pretty crusty as we live by the sea and im thinking I could be biting off more than I can chew

 

[jdrocks]

so you lubed the swing arm shaft, not "axle", but didn't pull out the swingarm sleeve and service the needle bearings while you had it apart? servicing those bearings with a good WP grease is mandatory.

 

[csab]

I'll have to this on my Ninja 250. The previous owner kept the chain loose and there is visible damage to the chainguard. I actually bought the part, just didn't install it due to lack of time, and because the Ninja was my daily rider. But now I have the Versys (still not much time though).

 

[fasteddiecopeman]

IF the damage is ONLY to the plastic 'guard', and NOT to the swingarm - I would just keep an 'eye-on-things'. I ONLY changed it because the whole lower piece had broken OFF and 'left the theater' as they used to say about Elvis, leaving it unprotected.