Swingarm help

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Maxxfli

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Oct 20, 2009
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I was trying to pull the swing arm from my 1972 commando and right when I thought i had it figured out it there were no threads on the right side of the spindle for the 1/2in x 20 bolt to pull it out. The bike was nickle plated by my dad in the 70's and he put the bike back together. Is it possible when he put the spindle back in he put the threaded side towards the primary case? Also if i pull the whole primary will i be able to remove the spindle from the left side? Its the little things like this that make me want to go crazy.
 
Big taps get pretty expensive, but you could just cut some threads in place and pull it out from the right side. It's been some time since I've had mine apart, the central hole goes all the way through? Is it well and truly stuck?
 
The spindle is hardened, isn't it? Good luck tapping it! I think you need to go in from the primary side - unfortunately.
 
If the spindle is hardened then it is not by much as needle rollers notch the spindle.
 
if taking tha primary drive apart is too much hassle ,go out and buy a japanese thing and get rid of your Norton.If you like your Norton learn to take it apart ,that is half of the fun owning one(as not to pose one one )Yes you have to take the primary drive apart and then you will be able to chase the spindle out .That drawbolt -altenative is going to fail anyway 99% of the time .Do not forget to take the fixing bolt(s) out before you get at it with the hammer.
 
BrianK said:
The spindle is hardened, isn't it? Good luck tapping it! I think you need to go in from the primary side - unfortunately.
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I've had mixed results with the hardness of spindles. One you couldn't mar with a file, another I could cut with a hacksaw. In any case, if it is hardened it probably doesn't go too deep.
 
lynxnsu said:
if taking tha primary drive apart is too much hassle ,go out and buy a japanese thing and get rid of your Norton.
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I don't thinks it's the fact that he is frustrated with the Norton, more that someone looks to have put it together wrong at some point and now he needs to do extra work to fix it. We sometimes (usually when it wasn't previosly owned by a relative) call them the DPO.
 
Ill pull the primary next weekend and try to get at her from the other side.... Does the spindle have to come out on the right side though or can i use the puller on the left side to remove it that way? Thanks for the replies.

Thanks dave. I have no issue pulling the primary..... its just annoying when things are not put back correctly.
 
I can't imagine it won't come out the left side just as easily? Perhaps someone who knows for sure can chime in and give you a bit more comfort.

Don't worry about the occasional comment that may seem a bit snide. Good folks here, but human; we all say things that don't come out, especially in print, the way we meant them. Just one of those I'm sure. The amount of knowledge and experience represented by the "inmates" of this board is nothing less than phenomenal. Their willingness to share it - ditto.

I could not own my Commando without the help from people on this board. I'd have first buggered it up entirely and then destroyed what remained of it with a sledge hammer, out of pure frustration. Instead, I have a great bike I positively adore.

Bottom line, we wish you the best of luck and encourage you to (i) ask more questions along the way if we can help, and (ii) let us know how you make out!

Best - BrianK
 
Before I pulled the primary I'd take the one minute it would take to try a tap.
 
Another idea is to get a concrete fastener, you know the kind that expand when you thread the bolt in. They make some super heavy duty ones and they are threaded at the end.
 
Similar to what Ludwig suggests, is there room to slide a 5/16 or 3/8 all thread through the spindle from the right hand side and put a nut on the left to make a puller?
 
Rennie's suggestion is a good one for this chore.

Brian, the spindle will indeed come out either end just as easily, except that the primary chaincase inner half (ans well as the entire primary system) must be removed first! (so, not as easy as an entire job)
 
Pulled the primary and got the swingarm off. I figured id post a few pictures of the project... I know everyone loves to look at pictures.
Swingarm help

Swingarm help

Swingarm help



Here is a link to a bunch more.
http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm21 ... 0Commando/
 
You may be able to spin the spindle and pull it out using a large easy-out. this would save pulling the primary and the plug on the drive side. When re-assembling, put it back the correct way.
 
Maxxfli said:
Pulled the primary and got the swingarm off. I figured id post a few pictures of the project... I know everyone loves to look at pictures.
Click to expand...

I didn't realize that it was in that state of unassembly, now I don't feel so bad about you pulling the primary. :mrgreen:

And yes, we do luv the pictures, each and every one of us.
 
swooshdave said:
I didn't realize that it was in that state of unassembly, now I don't feel so bad about you pulling the primary. :mrgreen:

And yes, we do luv the pictures, each and every one of us.
Click to expand...

Yeah it really wast a big deal and the swingarm spindle was super easy to tap through with a wooden dowel... No rust at all. Almost ready for the powder coater! I feel as though i might actually get the bike to the Gathering of the Nortons in the spring.
 
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