Problem solved. I found out that these can be removed simply and tried it. They popped right out. A little dirtier than I suspected. Now they will really glide once I get the old crud out of there.

Thanks for looking!

Ray

I've already upgraded 3 Swivomatic pedals with the correct roller (needle) bearings... the Torrington B68, which is the style that Rogers originally used. Two of the pedals used the bronze bushings (you can thank the bean counters at CBS for this poor bearing!), while the other pedal had the J65 bearing that Rogers used to save a few pennies from the B68 (again, I'm sure a cost cutting measure from CBS!). While both the bushings and bearings came out with some proper hammering in the right location, I certainly would not say that they popped right out!

Anyone who wants to get their Swivomatic pedal back to its original design only needs to install 2 B68 bearings and you're good to go!

Haha, yeah 1 set came out and the other ones required a little bit of tapping. Hey in case I never need to replace my bearings, where's a good place to get these? Mine work great but if you wouldn't mind, I bet there are others who would love to upgrade and might need a source for these.

BTW, what do you use to lubricate the bearings? The Tri-Flow I use works great but would like to know what others use.

Appreciate it.

Hi Gravy!

I found the Torrington B68 bearings on eBay, from a seller who goes by the name "locatebearings". I just looked him up again and found that he's upped the price from $2.40 each (what I paid) to $9.95 each! Also upped his shipping, too. Makes no sense!

I purchased 8 bearings to do 4 pedals. Have already completed two of my pedals and one for our member TommyP! I'm in the process of doing a pedal for backbeatkeeper.

Funny you should mention Tri-Flo, as that is what I lube the new bearings with.

Mark

Mark!/Gravy!

Yes indeed!... Mark did an upgrade on one of my Swivo's that had the plain bronze bushing, and the difference is incredible. The "plain bronze bushing" works pretty well/smooth if it's kept CLEAN and serviced from time to time, but nothing like a full set of roller bearings. No comparison. My MAIN Swivo, the one I have been playing for over 10 years now, has the "full compliment roller bearings" from the factory. That pedal is THE ONE. Not all Swivo's are created equal I have found, thus when you find THE ONE... hold on to it! I have others for back-up, but all of them have the "plain bronze bushing", but with the upgrade that Mark did, well... now it is real close to my OEM Swivo with the roller bearings. Beautiful job Mark! I will also add...

These pedal should be maintained/cleaned as they are pure mechanical devices. Every winter.. ( when the gigs slow down ) .. I disassemble, clean, lubricate, and reassemble. My main Swivo is absolutely SILKY SMOOTH in it's action and doesn't make a single "squeak". Thanks to Mark, I now have a back-up Swivo that can play on the same team!

Tommyp

Tommy, which version of the bass and hi hat pedals do you have? I have both versions but like the 1 piece versions myself.

Ray!

Being the BR freak I am, you might think that I play the 1 piece versions of the Swivo BD pedal and HH stand, but no... I prefer the hinged heel plate versions, and those are what I play. However!... I have in my collection a mid 60's Swiv-o-Matic BD pedal in the one piece footboard configuration as that is the style that BR played/preferred! Rogers cataloged the Buddy Rich Celebrity set WITH the single piece footboard on both too, just as BR played 'em. Here's a shot of my Rogers BR Celebrity's from one of the FS shows I played, and you can see the hinged footboards!

Tommyp

I'd like to see pictures or video of this disassembly / overhaul procedure!

73Rogers!

Forgive me as I mean absolutely NO OFFENSE here, but... you don't need to see pics or video on the disassembly of a Rogers Swiv-o-Matic bass drum pedal. It is all there right in front of you. If one has even a little mechanical apptitude, it's very easy to do! I break my pedals down for clean/lube every year, and the whole procedure takes about an hour, including the roller bearings if your Swivo is so equipped. That said though, Mark or Ray can take you through it in print if you need.

Tommyp