V10 Seasonal Maintenance

( Recommended every 6-12 months, depending on riding frequency and conditions. Perform this procedure after the winter or if your bike is creaking/popping. )

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Additional Details

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Tools required:

• (2) 5mm Allen Wrenches
• (2) 6mm Allen Wrenches
• 8mm Allen Wrench
• 242 loctite
• Rock and Roll Super Coat grease
• Plastic or Rubber Mallet
• punch
• 1/2" or 13mm Box End Wrench

Step 1: Read the Instructions!

It's the right thing to do, so just go ahead and do it. Understand what you are about to encounter. Remove rear wheel, crankset, BB, rear derailleur, and rear brake caliper from frame. Clean off the major dirt so you don't contaminate grease or loctite later on.

Step 2: Remove the Upper Link Pivot Axle

• a) Using your 6mm allen wrenches, remove one of the M8 bolts in the uppermost pivot axle. Once it is removed, install it back in without it's washer.
• b) Once the bolt is threaded in 6-7 threads, tap on the bolt head with your mallet until the axle is removed.
• c) Take care not to lose the shim washers between the bearings and the frame. ( Fig. 1)

Fig. 1

Step 3: Install Upper Link Pivot Axle

• a) Clean and grease the axle
• b) Install the axle, with (2) 1/2" shim washers on each side. The shim washers go between the bearings and main frame.
• c) Once the axle has fully engaged both bearings and all 4 shim washers, install the M8 x 14 pivot axle bolt with Loc-tite 242. Don't tighten it yet.( Fig. 2)

Fig. 2

Step 4: Clean and Loctite Pinch Bolts

• a) Use your 5mm allen wrench, remove all 6 pinch bolts from the upper link.
• b) Clean the dirt and dried Loc-tite off of them
• c) Apply Loc-tite 242 to all pinch bolts and install loosely in their place.
• d) Tighten the upper pivot axle bolts to 135 in/lbs.
• e) Tighten seatstay end bolts each to 135 in/lbs.
• f) Pull the upper links away from the centerline of the bike (spread them apart), and tighten the 4 bearing pinch bolts to 65 in/lbs.
• g) Center the silver upper link brace and tighten both pinch bolts to 70 in/lbs.
• h) Check for smooth operation and make sure there is no lateral play.

Step 5: Remove Lower Link

• a) Using the 5mm allen wrenches, remove the lower pivot axles using the same procedure as step 2.
• b) Take care not to lose the shim washer on the swingarm non-drive side. ( Fig. 3 )

Fig. 3

Step 6: Prep for Assembly

• a) Clean pivot axles and bolts so they are free of grease, dirt, and Loc-tite.
• b) Coat the external surface of each pivot axle with Rock and Roll Super Coat Grease, or another high quality, sticky, slick grease.

Step 7: Assemble Lower Pivot

• a) Install lower link to swingarm with a pivot axle. Place the 1/2" shim washer on the non-drive side, between the link and the bearing.
• b) Install the other pivot axle into the mainframe. Make sure both axles are fully engaged in their 2 bearings.
• c) Loosen all 4 bearing pinch bolts to allow the bearings to float in the frame.
• d) Install pivot axle bolts and Low-pro washers with Loc-tite 242. Torque to 115 in/lbs. ( Fig. 4 )

Fig. 4

Step 8: Clean and Loc-tite Pinch Bolts

• a) Use your 5mm allen wrench, remove all 4 bearing pinch bolts from the mainframe and swingarm.
• b) Clean the dirt and dried Loc-tite off of them.
• c) Apply Loc-tite 242 to all pinch bolts and install in their place.
• d) Tighten all 4 pinch bolts to 65 in/lbs.
• e) Check lower link for smooth operation and make sure there is no lateral play.

Step 9: Check Pivot Axles for Proper Function

• a) There is a possibility that your pivot axles may be a little too long for your slightly worn links. This is a test to make sure your axles are short enough to properly clamp everything.
• b) Make sure all the bolts are torqued to spec. using two allen wrenches (one on each side).
• c) Take one allen wrench and try to turn each of the pivots clockwise.
• d) If any of these axles spin, tighten the bolts more and try again. If you have an axle where the bolts are very tight, but the axle spins when turned, the bolts are bottomed out on the ends of the axle.
• e) Remove any spinning pivot axles and shorten 1-2mm using a file or grinder. Install and re-test. ( Fig. 5 )

Fig. 5