swingarm and linkage bearings

I think some of the Lads have done this before (The dog bones deffo), Have you took them off and had a good look at them, There is some play as standard ( Its a linkage after all) but sluicing them out with paraffin and then repacking can often make them feel a lot better.

Have a search and you will find the posts and the suppliers.... (M&S I think I would sooner shove wasps up my jacksy )

Here you go : http://www.rsvzone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5220&highlight=linkage+bearings

look for marksman industrial, highly recommended for all bearings

A good deal of the bearings are custom made for Aprilia by Torrington.

You can buy an off the shelf caged version which will fit but i have my doubts personally that they are suitable.

The custom version is a full compliment bearing and even that can shows signs of indentation from needle twisting due to loads in a fairly short time. Aprilia made it full compliment for a reason.

The ones that aren't custom can be had cheaper at any bearing supplier. Check the swingarm play isn't just pivot rod loosness though.
As said the linkage should have play where the dogbone meets the frame. You will see when you take it apart that the bolt shoulder is thinner than the hole is passes through and is that way by design. None of the other pivots should have discernable play.

Look very closely at the linkage pins when you strip it. You will likely see what i mean about stress as they often have needle indentations in them and if they do get new ones or they will wreck the new bearings.

Rebuild with lithium or waterproof (marine) grease. They come with very little as new and if you don't pack them you will get water ingress quite quickly.

I initially bought a set of caged bearings off ebay but many folk said they would have to be replaced a lot sooner than the Torrington ones.

The bearings can be a ******* to get out so I didn't want to have to go through it again, any time soon, so I bought the Torrington ones from Aprilia. You can ONLY get them from Aprilia, couldn't find them anywhere else and supposedly Torrington no longer exist!

I bought these seals,

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p24320/18x24x4mm+R21+NBR+Oil+Seal/product_info.html

instead of the original. They're 1mm thicker than the Aprilia ones so you just have to tap the bearings in a bit further :thumbup

some Aprilia dealers offer a exchange linkage... & have them on the shelve for £100... you ride in... they charge £40 labour + £100 for the linkage... & they keep yours to refurbish & ready on the shelve for the next exchange !! :thumbup