There should be 3 bolts going through it...take them all out and the linkage will come out. While you're at it take the swingarm off and the rear shock (the top pivot bearing) to grease those too.
What I do to grease mine is to take a rag and wipe all the old grease out. If you really wanted to you could clean them in a parts washer. Then take a big gouber of grease on you finger and work it into the bearings, you CANNOT just smear grease in there. The more the better! As for grease...use a synthetic that is specially formulated to resist water, I use Amsoil