Swing Arm Mounting Question

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Norcoastal

Norcoastal

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So I have my cradle and swing arm and I have a question.

In the parts manual there is a shaft that goes through the cradle and the swing arm bushings mount on to it.

Looking at my cradle, where the shaft is supposed to be is a threaded rod.

What am I missing? Is that rod for an older mount? That can’t be because this cradle is for an 850 as it has the holes for the oil filter.

Can someone help me understand how this goes together?

When the cradle came, it had two bolts in the threads with ball bearings on it, but that doesn’t seem right.

Thoughts???

Swing Arm Mounting Question


Swing Arm Mounting Question


Swing Arm Mounting Question
 
Norcoastal said:
What am I missing?
Click to expand...

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-details/20728/swinging-arm-spindle-kit-commando-1968-74

Plus end caps, rod, etc.
https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-drawing/203/frame-swinging-arm-suspension-units#

Norcoastal said:
Looking at my cradle, where the shaft is supposed to be is a threaded rod. Is that rod for an older mount?
Click to expand...

No.

Norcoastal said:
When the cradle came, it had two bolts in the threads with ball bearings on it, but that doesn’t seem right.
Click to expand...

It isn't, and the cradle tube shouldn't be threaded.
 
That's really odd somebody has threaded the swing arm pin hole? Is it threaded all the way through?
 
Looks like someone fitted a box section swingarm and ruined the shaft tube. As the tube was too thin to begin with and is a known weak point I would cut it out and weld in a thicker tube reamed to accept the shaft. That will save you having to try recovering this mess and still needing to add Keigler mounts.
 
baz said:
That's really odd somebody has threaded the swing arm pin hole? Is it threaded all the way through?
Click to expand...

Not sure if it’s all the way through, but there are right hand threads on both ends.

It also looks too small for the swing arm spindle.

I guess I should try to knock it out?

Pleas advise me, the last time I took a hammer and chisel to my motorcycle, I almost trashed the engine cases.

This is the correct hole for the swing arm correct?

My only thought is that the last person who had this cradle, attached the swing arm with bolts and ball bearing bushings in an attempt to improve upon the bronze bearings??? But that’s just a guess...
 
kommando said:
Looks like someone fitted a box section swingarm and ruined the shaft tube. As the tube was too thin to begin with and is a known weak point I would cut it out and weld in a thicker tube reamed to accept the shaft. That will save you having to try recovering this mess and still needing to add Keigler mounts.
Click to expand...

After spending 100 bucks on this cradle, there has to be a better answer than weld in a new shaft tube. Not sure my welding skills are up for that, also where would I get a shaft to weld in?

I think I need to try to get this rod out somehow.
 
Norcoastal said:
It also looks too small for the swing arm spindle.

I guess I should try to knock it out?

Pleas advise me, the last time I took a hammer and chisel to my motorcycle, I almost trashed the engine cases.
Click to expand...

You haven't shown us what's in there.

Norcoastal said:
This is the correct hole for the swing arm correct?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Norcoastal said:
My only thought is that the last person who had this cradle, attached the swing arm with bolts and ball bearing bushings in an attempt to improve upon the bronze bearings??? But that’s just a gu[e]ss..
Click to expand...

Probably right.
 
You won't be knocking that tube out, it's welded in place( see inside faces of cradle/tube connection)
You could cut the welds.

In reference to the above mention of Kegler clamps, even if you fit a new tube, Kegler clamps are a necessary addition in order to avoid handling problems due to pin to tube slack.
The only other way to go is the MK3 style swing arm tube with its cotters, but that is not an easy fabrication.

Glen
 
Even though it's been threaded it might be possible to make it usable by fitting the Kegler clamps.
 
So after doing some more forensic investigation, it appears that either a shaft was hammered into the shaft tube...or...this is actually the spindle and the ends were cut off and threaded.

Again, before I get all medieval on this, it’s the right call to try and bang this rod out, correct???

Swing Arm Mounting Question


Swing Arm Mounting Question
 
worntorn said:
You won't be knocking that tube out, it's welded in place( see inside faces of cradle/tube connection)
You could cut the welds.

In reference to the above mention of Kegler clamps, even if you fit a new tube, Kegler clamps are a necessary addition in order to avoid handling problems due to pin to tube slack.
The only other way to go is the MK3 style swing arm tube with its cotters, but that is not an easy fabrication.

Glen
Click to expand...

Is the Keigler clamp absolutely necessary? I have to believe that there are hundreds of Norton’s out there without the clamps.

I want to do it the right way, but this isn’t going to be a road trip bike. I have my Ducati for that, this is going to be my hobby bike to just knock around town in.
 
Norcoastal said:
appears that either a shaft was hammered into the shaft tube...or...this is actually the spindle and the ends were cut off and threaded.
Click to expand...

Yes, it probably is the spindle as it would be threaded at both ends.
 
Norcoastal said:
Is the Keigler clamp absolutely necessary?
Click to expand...

It depends on the fit of the spindle in the cradle. If the spindle is a loose fit in the cradle tube then the Kegler clamps would be a worthwhile modification.
 
Now I’m thinking I’m going to thread one of the big bolts into the threads and see if I can bang the shaft out.
 
Norcoastal said:
Is the Keigler clamp absolutely necessary? I have to believe that there are hundreds of Norton’s out there without the clamps.

I want to do it the right way, but this isn’t going to be a road trip bike. I have my Ducati for that, this is going to be my hobby bike to just knock around town in.
Click to expand...

Mine isn't clamped, and there's no play. When I had the swingarm off years ago I was impressed that the bushings and spindle were like brand new. Correct oil always topped up seems to preserve them for a long time.

Yours needs to be evaluated further.
 
A couple a good wacks with a sledge hammer and it hasn’t moved at all. I’m assuming that outer circle is the tube shaft and the actual spindle is just outside the threads?

Swing Arm Mounting Question
 
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