How hard is removing and replacing the Swingarm?

[The ModFather]

On a 2005 620 Dark. How hard is it to remove and replace the swingarm? Any special tools required? Anything to watch out for? Huge pain, moderate difficult or pretty straight forward?

Looking to swap with a 2007 695 if it'll fit providing that's cheaper than a powdercoat job.

[Raux]

there are a few on ebay starting at $50

and it's not too hard.

some things to have.
way to suspend the rear of the bike
a long handle wrench (a few of the bolts might be tight)
a tq wrench (to make sure a few of the bolts are properly tight)
a circlip remover
a good memory (or better a 3x5 card and a sharpie to label each part and where it came from and how it was oriented)

[Slide Panda]

yep, the biggest hassle will be getting the bike suspended - with that done it's pretty easy.

There will be some spacer shims that go between the arm and the case - just be sure you keep track of them and which side they went too. And be sure to check the arm and the case for them. When I pulled mine they did not fall too the floor, but remained stuck to the arm and case.

[ChrisK]

I've had the rear of my bike suspended a couple of times in the last few weeks. Easiest way I've found is just to place a ladder over top of the bike, then loop a ratchet strap over the ladder and put the hooks on the passenger grab handles. Ratchet the bike up until the rear wheel is slightly off the ground.

[suzyj]

The lower shock pivot can be a bit hard to get to. I bought a 3/8" drive 8mm inhex socket specifically so I could it it on an extension down the hole. Once I did that it was a lot easier.

For holding the rear of the bike up I've used chassis stands under the rearset pegs. That works pretty well.

[The ModFather]

Where the shock spring and pivot connect to the horizontal rod in the swingarm is what looks tricky to me. How do you detach the swingarm from those two? It's not really apparent in looking at it.