Rear Wheel '72 Commando

mcdammitt · Apr 18, 2014

I have been messing with my rear wheel, trying to get it to line up with the countershaft sprocket. It looks like I am a whole 1/2" out of alignment. I have bought all new spacers and it is still left of center, looking from the rear. One thing I haven't done yet is take the inside bearings and spacers out to see if they are in correct, but it looks like it will still bolt up on the left side the same anyway. If I try to install another spacer on the left side, it looks like the brake dog will come out of the swing arm. The tire is showing a 1/2" left of center on the swing arm. Any thoughts out there, I'm stumped!
'

grandpaul · Apr 18, 2014

Are you sure your swingarm isn't bent?

Roadrash · Apr 18, 2014

Humm, 1/2" is a lot. Spacer # 14 (060334) is what lines up the rear brake drum sprocket with the countershaft sprocket on my bike. Like grandpaul suggested, check for frame alignment. Modified sprocket? Bent or crooked engine cradle? The previous owner of my bike had done some unexplainable modifications to my rear wheel assembly and pictures helped this forum work me through it.

Al-otment · Apr 18, 2014

http://www.vintagenet.us/phantom/wsc.html. Requires a complete strip down but it's the only way to check alignment on a Commando frame. I've done it on mine and it was worth every minute of work.

pete.v · Apr 18, 2014

You should be able to mount the hub without the wheel and get a rough idea on how your final drive lines up. Now if you are doing a one piece axel thing, then that may be another story.
This seem a little confusing to me, are dealing with wheel and swingarm, counter shaft chain to rear hub or what?

grandpaul · Apr 18, 2014

Watch out for the orientation of the inner spacer tube with different length shoulders, that'll blow your mind.

Rohan · Apr 18, 2014

As GrandPaul hints at, how is the speedo drive side of your wheel.
If it doesn't fit up correctly, maybe you have the inner spacer in the wheel reversed.
Someone on another thread recently mentioned this as the cause of much head scratching...

mcdammitt · Apr 18, 2014

Gonna look at that, tomorrow
Thanks

Andromedust · Apr 20, 2014

I had a similar problem last year when I had new wheels laced up. The mechanic fked up and put the offset on the wrong side. Like you, I kept thinking I had the spacers in wrong or something. I realized what the problem was after I intentionally put the wheel in with the sprocket on the right and it lined up perfectly centered.

Andromedust · Apr 20, 2014

I had a similar problem last year when I had new wheels laced up. The mechanic fked up and put the offset on the wrong side. Like you, I kept thinking I had the spacers in wrong or something. I realized what the problem was after I intentionally put the wheel in with the sprocket on the right and it lined up perfectly centered.

mcdammitt · Apr 21, 2014

I didn't know the wheel was offset to the hub, is it? I currently have the guts out of the wheel, and as far as the implosion shows the inner spacer is correctly in, wider spacer side is on the left, or inside the drum.

pete.v · Apr 21, 2014

mcdammitt said:
I didn't know the wheel was offset to the hub, is it? I currently have the guts out of the wheel, and as far as the implosion shows the inner spacer is correctly in, wider spacer side is on the left, or inside the drum.

Commando cush-drive hub is offset about 3/16" to the right. Therefore the tire will ride about 3/16" closer to the left swingarm than the right. if set up properly.

mcdammitt · Apr 22, 2014

Knucklehead here, If the hub is set 3/16 to the right of center between the swing arms, why would the tire not be the same? I have two issues here, the tire is left of center and the rear sprocket is also left of the countershaft sprocket with what looks like the correct spacers. I think I am going to pull the swing arm and check it for straightness. I don't want to, but probably pull out the motor and tranny and check for alignment.
Damn!

pete.v · Apr 22, 2014

mcdammitt said:
Knucklehead here, If the hub is set 3/16 to the right of center between the swing arms, why would the tire not be the same? I have two issues here, the tire is left of center and the rear sprocket is also left of the countershaft sprocket with what looks like the correct spacers. I think I am going to pull the swing arm and check it for straightness. I don't want to, but probably pull out the motor and tranny and check for alignment.
Damn!

Because the hub is offset in relationship to the rim. That is how it should be "laced" (spoked). I think you may be skipping this vital point. This offset is checked from the center of the hub to the outside of the rim. The difference between the left and right is your offset.

Now your rear sprocket is something else. There is either something missing otr somethoing bent.

I am almost affraid to ask, but how about some pictures. They really are worth a thousand words.
I would be more than happy to offer you my email through PM. You could send them to me and i woild post them for member to see.

Al-otment · Apr 22, 2014

mcdammitt said:
Knucklehead here, If the hub is set 3/16 to the right of center between the swing arms, why would the tire not be the same? I have two issues here, the tire is left of center and the rear sprocket is also left of the countershaft sprocket with what looks like the correct spacers. I think I am going to pull the swing arm and check it for straightness. I don't want to, but probably pull out the motor and tranny and check for alignment.
Damn!

If you've got doubts about the frame alignment then check it. You'll improve on how it came out of the factory and you'll know that every thing is as it should be. Plus you'll have one of the best handling Commando's around. May seem a lot of work but really worth while, go for it.

madass140 · Apr 22, 2014

"Commando cush-drive hub is offset about 3/16" to the right"
Are you sure about this?

pete.v · Apr 22, 2014

madass140 said:
"Commando cush-drive hub is offset about 3/16" to the right"
Are you sure about this?

No, I am not sure of anything with these bikes. I can only go by what I read.
http://www.oldbritts.com/lacing_info.html

madass140 · Apr 22, 2014

yes I've read that also and dont believe that to be correct.
If the eng/trans assembly is moved to the left of the centerline of the frame then wouldnt the rim need to be moved to the right the same amount? if so then wouldnt the rim be offset to the right of the hub? the rim would be offset not the hub.

pete.v · Apr 22, 2014

Ok, I just spoke with Buchannan. I do not know if they are the ultimate autority, but I am incline to respect their opinion. Although this may add to the confusion, he said,

"Laying a straight edge across the cushdrive hub, because it offers a consistant reference, it should measure 1 9/16" to the centerling of the rim. This dimension will align the wheel to the centerline of the bike."

It is another way of looking at it than Old Britts and it works for them and is their standard for the 72 Norton type rear wheel.

How this aquaints to offset being left or right I not sure without looking at it. When i get home from work, I sure will check to see where my wheel sits.

I know that my index knuckle with fit between the right swing arm and the tire and the end of my index finger will just fit in the left, I think that is somewhere between 1/8 and 3/16 difference. My axle sits even in the slots and rides very true. I may be right or i may be wrong, but is sure feels right and I would be reluctant to change it just to be right.

Hobot · Apr 22, 2014

Sheeze its common as oil leaks to find factory issued rears 3/16"-3/8" DS offset which is about how much the whole power unit offset for chain/tire clearance. As all but very faulty Cdo's have always done well in the handling department, so factor that in on judging how significant out of line rear is to worry with, except for what following traffic might notice and sneer in knowing disgust at another owner not worthy enough to deserve a Commando. The real mystery to me is if the power unity shift was to gain chain-tire clearance why'd they shoot Commandos in the rear size by not shifting rim back to center. By shifting rim back to center I can fit 125-130 size past chain. I do not like 120 size on my ordinary Cdo d/t its slighty sluggish feeling to everything. Oh yeah its illegal to ride hands off with an offset rim.

Read up on late Kenny Augustine's Straightest Commando that should be so familiar you'l instantly recognize WSC here same as LOL to rest of the world. .

Rear Wheel '72 Commando

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