Linkage knuckel

The other day I was about to fit my new link pipe to my yet unridden bandit 1200 . With only 44.000 kls I nearly didn't  check linkage arm,and swing arm bearings  for grease and wear . The bike looks well looked after . I hate this job but told myself  don't be lazy . Now I know why I hate it .
Swingarm bearings and the two bearings on the ends of the knuckle  were dry but JUST salvageable . JUST .
The left and right ones in the center were completely rusted out . .i'd say been dead for at least 10,000 kls .
If I had let them all go i'd say they soon all would have needed replacement . Cost for parts alone would have been $350 .
It took me 2 hours to remove the two center bearings  which had rusted them selves in place . Placing a bolt into cage and welding it there .One and three quarter hours were sent trying other methods of removal . Then another long bolt and a hammer from the opposite side . THEY ARE TIGHT . One linkage arm bolt  14mm head 17mm nut refused to come undone and both stripped along with a 14 mm socket . A angle grinder cut the nut off in the end . 
What a shit job, but i'm right for 30,000 kls now . Next, steering head bearings . I hate that end as well , bloody cables and wires .
Link pipe took 5 mins bearings took the rest of the day .

That is one of the jobs that I'm looking to tackle in the near future, as I would like to fit a new endless chain at the same time.

Given your experience in these matters Gus, could you slip over to Melbourne one weekend and change my stuff out please    

Every bike I get I check the bearings on . Its a shit job but if you don't, its shittier .   
I got unlucky with the seized bolt , never had that happen before . I had parts from a gs500 spare and the bearings were the same . New bearings I needed were about the same I paid for the whole bike $150 . Motor was stuffed .

I'm kicking this job off today Gus, I've got my finger crossed for a swear-free day and an enjoyable cool beverage at the end.

Before I started I had to go to a couple of Supercheapauto's to find stool to roll around on, I've deprived myself of one of these
suckers for long enough.

From go to whoa it took about 15 minutes to pull the swingarm, obviously lady luck was smiling on me    Now to pull the rest of it down to see how munted the bearings are.

Everything looks good enough to clean, grease and refit    

Just gotta organise a new chain before I put it back together, I've seen some DID zvmx chains on Ebay for around $210 delivered from the UK. Sprockets are still good, only reason for chain change is that it's pretty rusted from just sitting in the weather.

Is there any places locally to buy them that won't "touch" you"?

If it's just surface rust, soak it in a few litres of diesel, give it a good clean and lube it

I put one piece in the lathe and it cleaned up with a green scourer    

I just bought a new chain for $121 on Ebay, I think I've used up all my good luck for a while 

Don't forget the ones on top of the swing arm .

gus wrote:Don't forget the ones on top of the swing arm .

????Where they at Gus?????

Top of the dog bones ,on the swingarm .