It really wasn't difficult to do, however I did have the correct tools - internal circlip pliers, a blind bearing puller, a steel rod of about 500 mm x 20mm, a lump hammer and (equally importantly) a good quality blowlamp of the sort plumbers use. Correctly applied heat was the magic ingredient, to be honest.
Starting on the offside, remove the rubber seal and then remove the internal circlip with the pliers. Light the blowtorch and play the flame around the boss where the 2 x roller bearings are located for a minute or two. Poke the rod through the needle roller and onto the inner roller bearing and tap both of them out. It took about 2 minutes, and only required modest use of the hammer. The heat does the job of expanding the alloy so it releases its grip on the bearings and they pop out very easily.
Move to the other side, select the right size blind bearing puller and fit it to the needle roller cage. Fit the slide hammer to the puller and ensure everything is ready. Heat that side of the swingarm all around, making sure the heat gets well into the metal and then extract the needle roller bearing with the slide hammer. It really was that easy - like I said it was the judicious application of heat that made the job a pussycat rather than a complete bitch. And having a blind bearing puller and slide hammer, of course.
All bearings are in 'as new' condition and can and will be re-used. I was a bit miffed to find Aprilia hadn't used sealed roller bearings (i.e. the 2RS type), but that was about it.
Swingarm Bearing Removal
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