Mk2/Mk3 swingarm spindle

noco · Feb 3, 2009

I just received a new spindle from RGM for my Mk2. It seems to be a hybrid of Mk2 and Mk3 types. It has a tapped hole for the Mk2 setscrew at 12 o'clock, and two Mk3 recesses at 9 o'clock.

I was going to do the setscrew mod on my cradle (add 2 bolts at 8 o'clock). Instead, could I add the setscrews at 9 o'clock so the screws seat against the recesses meant for the Mk3?
or will the set-bolt heads rub somewhere,
will it secure the spindle properly?

does anyone have a picture of setscrew nuts welded to their cradle?

cheers

bill · Feb 3, 2009

if I remember correctly you can install the spindle with the MK3 slots facing the front. as for welding nuts on the cradle DON'T. I sell a set of collars that clamp around the cradle with bolts to fix this problem and is a stronger fix.

windy

Alan W · Feb 3, 2009

I did as Bill suggests, and worked out fine for mine

noco · Feb 3, 2009

how much are the collars?

Hortons Norton · Feb 3, 2009

Put them on myself, Chuck.

bill · Feb 3, 2009

$35.00 plus post of $5.00'

windy

noco · Feb 3, 2009

Can I PM about the collars? or email?
I was hesitant to weld on the cradle, and that's a good price!
thanks

bill · Feb 3, 2009

email is fine
windyae@earthlink.net

swooshdave · Feb 21, 2010

That is a good price, but what would happen if you used something like this? I think you'd still have to drill a hole, maybe tap it.

Someone else posted this in another spindle thread.

McMaster/Carr

ludwig · Feb 22, 2010

Or you could do this :

1. install spindle with top bolt .
2. drill 5 mm holes trough cradle and spindle .
3. remove spindle .
4. tap M6 thread in spindle holes .
5. drill holes in cradle to 6 mm .
6. install spindle with top bolt and 2 high tensile M6 allan bolts .
Done .
You don't have to remove the cradle to do this .
Light , cheap and effective , but you need a top quality drill and tap .
Tap very carefully : tapping in a small dia ( hardened ) tube puts an uneven load on the tap , which may cause it to break .
( or grind a small flat at the holes to be tapped )

bill · Feb 22, 2010

swooshdave said:
That is a good price, but what would happen if you used something like this? I think you'd still have to drill a hole, maybe tap it.

Someone else posted this in another spindle thread.

McMaster/Carr

that is what is started with than a flat milled , hole drilled and taped in one half. it makes an easy repair and IMHO stronger than welding nuts on the cradle. not to diss ludwig but they are easier for the average joe to install as the spindle can be a little hard to drill & tap and still can be done in the bike.

MexicoMike · Feb 22, 2010

I don't understand the purpose of this modification, is there some issue with the single oem bolt that holds the spindle? I am NOT trying to be a pain or disagree, I just wasn't aware of this mod or the need for it. ???

bill · Feb 22, 2010

most of the time it appears to have loose swingarm bush's the pin has wallered out the cradle and the central fixing bolt only stops the pin from rotating or sliding out. this fix's the pin more securely.

grandpaul · Feb 22, 2010

I would think that if you have a Mark III spindle, the best thing to do would be install the bolt-on sleeves, then drill the holes to align with the Mark III spindle slots! Best of BOTH worlds.

DogT · Feb 22, 2010

I had Nithburg Cycle do mine like ludwig's job back in '06. He also gave me a new oversized SS pin and reamed the bushings to fit since my old pin had worn an oval in the cradle. Did a nice job, but I don't know if he is still doing it. Gary Collins at Nithburg in CA. Total was about $175. If your cradle is not damaged, the ring looks like a good bet.

Dave
69S

ludwig · Feb 22, 2010

MexicoMike said:
I don't understand the purpose of this modification, ..

If you ride regularly , this is absolutely a 'must do ' modification !
And better do it BEFORE you wear the spindle hole oval .
But then , maybe that reputed company you bought the bike from allready did it for you ??
( sorry , couldn't resist to rub some salt in ..)

highdesert · Feb 22, 2010

Sometime in the mid nineties, Heinz Kegler told me that he wanted use my Commando as his test mule, and fit
two swing arm rings he was playing with in his workshop. They have been on every since, keeping my rear end
from moving around. Orders for them still come in, and even at age 75 Heinz is in his shop making his rings,
modifying drum brakes and clutches. He took a very bad fall recently, but is healing pretty good.

MexicoMike · Feb 22, 2010

"But then , maybe that reputed company you bought the bike from allready did it for you ??
( sorry , couldn't resist to rub some salt in ..)"

That's OK, I deserve it; I'm normally smarter than that but was in a hurry at the time to find a nice Commando and what better way then to buy one from a company who advertises on other Norton sites and who...oops, there I go.

I pulled the spindle out as one of the first things I checked when I bought the bike in late '06. It was full of grease (!) but after I cleaned it all out I couldn't detect any wear in the spindle/bushings so I just re-assambled and filled it with 140 oil. Should I have just automatically installed new bushings anyway and made this mod? There still doesn't seem to be any play that I can detect. But maybe I'm not checking closely enough...

This added a couple minutes later...I don't understand what those collars do that just drilling a couple of holes in the swing arm and tapping them for bolts doesn't do. Don't the collars just do the same thing - you still have to drill holes in the swing arm, right?

bill · Feb 22, 2010

MexicoMike said:
"But then , maybe that reputed company you bought the bike from allready did it for you ??

I pulled the spindle out as one of the first things I checked when I bought the bike in late '06. It was full of grease (!) but after I cleaned it all out I couldn't detect any wear in the spindle/bushings so I just re-assambled and filled it with 140 oil. Should I have just automatically installed new bushings anyway and made this mod? There still doesn't seem to be any play that I can detect. But maybe I'm not checking closely enough...

This added a couple minutes later...I don't understand what those collars do that just drilling a couple of holes in the swing arm and tapping them for bolts doesn't do. Don't the collars just do the same thing - you still have to drill holes in the swing arm, right?

mike I do it on every bike i work on as its not IF but WHEN the pin will get loose in the cradle ( not swingarm bushings ) it's NOT done on the arm but to the cradle. what is being accomplished is to lock the pin in some manner so it cannot move in the cradle. the collars will also spread the load towards the front side of the tube that the pin is in verses just where people weld the nuts on or having to drill AND tap a hard pin. just one more pi$$ poor design that was fixed on the MK3

katescottageiom · Feb 22, 2010

I welded nuts to the cradle 20 years ago, after trying to drill the spindle first and breaking the bit off in the spindle.
Welding works, but you better locate the nust just right or the locking bolts will foul the swing arm. I used Wendy's parts to modify the last two.

jt

Mk2/Mk3 swingarm spindle

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