Seeking rear wheel installation hints.

What are you on about. You are starting to sound off like that bloke. Acortel. Your not huffing his gas tank as well are you?
 
CanukNortonNut said:
Ashman
This is a Commando frame and not a Featherbed.
Click to expand...
Gee I didn't know that, but if a spacer is tight then machining it down 1 or 2 mm to make it fit easier, but fitting new crush rubbers the first time things will be tight till they seat proper as well tightening axles up for 50 years will pull the swing arm in slightly over that time.
 
Remember guys this is a cNw bike build in 2019 iirc so 50 yrs not that relevant. The way I see it, if Rob did it before he can do it again. I honestly can’t see machining anything is necessary indeed the spacer in question is wired in and that’s another pain in the arse to contend with. I guess the single spindle mod has added to the difficulty somehow so it’s not quite how Matt built it. I have the original layout and it took no more than 5 mins to figure it out; maybe another pair of hands to keep the wheel/hub pulled in tight from the left and upright will help. Or maybe insert another ‘spindle’ from the left to hold the wheel’s location as if the dummy axle was still there perhaps?
 
If I would be machining anything it wouldn't be the spacer. If the cush blocks are new then take some material off the flat side of the largest three to help the wheel get on easier. I use a belt sander for that.
 
I have found the RGM crush rubbers to fit right and last a very long time, been caught out with the crappy ones that only lasted a few months, been over 15 years since I have replace mine now but last time when I ordered them from RGM I got 3 set so still have 2 spare sets in my parts cabinet, same as foot peg rubbers/gear shift rubbers, there are so many cheap fake parts around when it comes to rubber parts.
 
CanukNortonNut said:
If I would be machining anything it wouldn't be the spacer. If the cush blocks are new then take some material off the flat side of the largest three to help the wheel get on easier. I use a belt sander for that.
Click to expand...
I think you have not understood me.
I meant that I would make a slightly shorter spacer, fitted temporarily, to allow squeezing the drum into the cush, then remove that "spacer tool" and fit the correct spacer.
 
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One of the things to watch out for is some aftermarket drums that were made with the paddles that are too long for the wheel hub pockets. I have had to remove metal from the ends to get this to fit. If you buy your brake drums from Andover you should not have to make any adjustments.
 
ashman said:
I have found the RGM crush rubbers to fit right and last a very long time, been caught out with the crappy ones that only lasted a few months, been over 15 years since I have replace mine now but last time when I ordered them from RGM I got 3 set so still have 2 spare sets in my parts cabinet, same as foot peg rubbers/gear shift rubbers, there are so many cheap fake parts around when it comes to rubber parts.
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The last time I had rubbers fail they cost me 3 kids. They weren't from RGM, but they were Trojan's made in China.
 
robs ss said:
I think you have not understood me.
I meant thatI would make a slightly shorter spacer, fitted temporarily, to allow squeezing the drum into the cush, then remove that "spacer tool" and fit the correct spacer.
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Rob,
I have used that method and it works well especially with new cush rubbers.
Mike
 
Thanks Mike (@YING & @Skoti ) - That's the kind of idea I was looking for in this thread. Well done! 👍 👍

I'm actually considering making a two-part threaded, adjustable spacer, just for installation, to reduce the risk of bending the swingarm.
Put it in place, expand it - then tighten my (one-piece) axle - loosen the axle and replace the "spacer tool" with the real spacer and... Bob's yer uncle!

Cheers
 
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ashman said:
I have found the RGM crush rubbers to fit right and last a very long time, been caught out with the crappy ones that only lasted a few months, been over 15 years since I have replace mine now but last time when I ordered them from RGM I got 3 set so still have 2 spare sets in my parts cabinet, same as foot peg rubbers/gear shift rubbers, there are so many cheap fake parts around when it comes to rubber parts.
Click to expand...
Thanks Ash - I'll buy a couple of spare sets. 👍 👍
 
ludwig said:
I modified the hub so that I can put the cush in from the outside.
It makes wheel installation much easier, but more importantly:
I can change them by the road side.
One quick descent of an Alpine pass can completely wipe out the std cush rubbers.
First put in the fat drive side rubbers, then compress them with a large screwdriver to install the thin ones.
I don't have a 'Commando' wheel on my Commando, but I have two wheels for my N15, so that I always have one with a fresh tire ready.

Seeking rear wheel installation hints.

Seeking rear wheel installation hints.
Click to expand...
Where do you get your cush rubbers from Ludwig?
Cheers
 
robs ss said:
Where do you get your cush rubbers from Ludwig?
Cheers
Click to expand...
I make them myself.
Over the years, I tried many different materials. I test them with a soldering iron for heat resistance.
If they come loose, I tighten them up with alu strips ( or replace if too bad).
In the pic. you can also see strips of a drive belt, which is very heat resistant.
The std black buffers aren't bad, but they still melt.
Not sure, but I believe they are polyurethane.
 
A friend of mine melted his cush rubbers coming down a mountain pass in Spain. There is somebody in Spain wondering why someone cut little rectangles out of their plastic dustbin lid.
 
You need to apply the rear brake while tightening your axles on the rear brake drum. Every time you disturb the rear wheel it is prudent that you check the drum for heat. I drive down the road for 1/4 mile and get off the bike and put my finger on the outside of the drum to make sure it is not dragging the brake shoes. If it is, then that will melt those cush drive pads in a hurry and toast your bearing in the drum.
 
Yep - as Norman White said, it's a triple juggling job:
1. Maintaining wheel alignment
2. Keeping correct chain tension, and
3. Clamping the pedal to centralise shoes.
Busier than a one legged man in a bum kicking contest!!
Cheers
 

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