Rear wheel friction

Roadrash said:
" I had to use so much force with a crowbar and 2x4 to get the spacer between the right swing arm and speedo that I bent the shock mount (fixed now). "

I've had this same problem. I have two Commandos, a 74 and a 72, I replaced the swing arm on the 72 with one from a 74. The replacement swingarm has the strengthening gussets. It was very hard getting the rear wheel on. I thought I would measure the distances on both swingarms the next time I took the rear wheel off.

Maybe it's a stub axle issue. I checked Old Britt's website and only found two different P/N for this stub axle. One was for a pre 71 and the other was for all the rest.

Any insight on this?

Yeah, the pre 71 stub axle doesn't have the bearing in the drum. No cush drive either. The hub bolts right on the drum. That's why it's different.

Dave
69S

I fitted a alloy hub cover to my back wheel to make cleaning a bit easier but as you tightened the spindle it fouled the speed drive an jammed the wheel solid.
You could see the marks on the alloy where it had dragged on the speed drive so I increased the size of the hole in the center of the hub cover to get it clearance

Follow up post:
I'm really grateful to everyone for helping me zero in on this issue. Turns out it was yet another poor modification idea from a previous owner. The part of the dummy axle that creates a space for the felt washer assembly had been milled off for some reason.

Replacing the axle also solved the sides of the brake pads rubbing against the drum.
As for the need to use a crow bar to the pry the wheel into place, I think after the wheel has a few miles of break-in I'll just reduce the right hand spacer for a proper fit. Give the next owner a mystery to solve :twisted: .

Great news Roadrash now ride it like you stole it ...
Craig

I'd suspect trouble with the double row bearing drum bearing sitting too far toward wheel hub and the dumb axle gap spacing,

Click to expand...

Great, Glad to know I can mostly trust the funny business i've run into in that nasty region. Now we await the next shoe to drop on something else factory or customized to stump ya for a time.