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Home Made Rear Swing Arm Spreader
- Thread starter travelerjerry
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Nice!
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I am of the opinion that something is wrong if the spacer cannot be easily fitted by hand.
In the case of my Atlas, the spacer could always be fitted with the fingers, but the last time I removed the rear wheel for new bearings and brakes, I found that I lacked over 1/8 inch to get the spacer in place. After a diligent investigation, I found the left swing arm tube had a bow in it by laying a straight edge along the inside of the arm. When the bow was removed, the spacer went right in.
The spread between the swing arms should measure 7.9 inches for an Featherbed, and the Commando is a tad over 8 inches, the exact value of which someone can give. If you do not have the required space, check for a bow in the swing arm tubes. If the spread is correct, but the spacer will not easily go in, check for proper assembly of the bearings and internal spacer, as well as the speedo drive top hat bushing.
Slick
In the case of my Atlas, the spacer could always be fitted with the fingers, but the last time I removed the rear wheel for new bearings and brakes, I found that I lacked over 1/8 inch to get the spacer in place. After a diligent investigation, I found the left swing arm tube had a bow in it by laying a straight edge along the inside of the arm. When the bow was removed, the spacer went right in.
The spread between the swing arms should measure 7.9 inches for an Featherbed, and the Commando is a tad over 8 inches, the exact value of which someone can give. If you do not have the required space, check for a bow in the swing arm tubes. If the spread is correct, but the spacer will not easily go in, check for proper assembly of the bearings and internal spacer, as well as the speedo drive top hat bushing.
Slick
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texasSlick said:
Good to know that. Then I have an issue. Thanks for the info on the required distance or other things to check. Thanks.
Even back in 1980 when I had the MK2a, it seemed I had to open it a 1/16 to an 1/8" to get the spacer in. I don't think there is or was anything wrong. I am sure it is very very common.
travelerjerry, although maybe a little over kill, your little tool is not out of line. I like to make tools!
I suppose I could turn the spacer down a bit, but then it might screw something else up.
travelerjerry, although maybe a little over kill, your little tool is not out of line. I like to make tools!
I suppose I could turn the spacer down a bit, but then it might screw something else up.
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Sometimes you find particularly with bikes that have QD brake drums or cush drives in the rear wheel, that when reassembling something can slip internally and get hung up on the edge of a bearing housing or similar. Usually if you the take wheel right out and inspect the hub internals you will see where the problem lies. Some bikes even have a tube and a spacer between the wheel bearings which can stuff things up a bit. I wouldn't spread the swing arm to fit the wheel. If something is sitting on the edge of a bearing housing, you might pull a bit off or distort it, when you tighten the axle.
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