Swingarm Mystery

redzepp · Sep 27, 2016

I am in the midst of restoring two 1971 Commando's. I am attempting to assemple the rear axle on one of them. I cannot insert the right hand spacer (06-0324). It lacks about 3/16" of having enough room. Here is the mystery. I measured the total open space between the swingarm axle slots at exactly 8". Then I measured two other swingarms that I have. They were both 7.5". Does anyone know what this measurement should be? Can I use the 7.5" swingarm with a modified spacer? Can the swingarm be tweaked somehow to spread it? Thanks!

acadian · Sep 27, 2016

redzepp said:
I am in the midst of restoring two 1971 Commando's. I am attempting to assemple the rear axle on one of them. I cannot insert the right hand spacer (06-0324). It lacks about 3/16" of having enough room. Here is the mystery. I measured the total open space between the swingarm axle slots at exactly 8". Then I measured two other swingarms that I have. They were both 7.5". Does anyone know what this measurement should be? Can I use the 7.5" swingarm with a modified spacer? Can the swingarm be tweaked somehow to spread it? Thanks!

Is the speedo drive properly seated on the two dogs?

L.A.B. · Sep 27, 2016

redzepp said:
I measured the total open space between the swingarm axle slots at exactly 8". Then I measured two other swingarms that I have. They were both 7.5". Does anyone know what this measurement should be?

Approximately 8-1/16."

Have you changed the wheel bearings?

Guido · Sep 27, 2016

Did you change the nylon cush pieces in the hub?
Sometimes new ones are hard to seat. If so have someone hold the bike while you push the wheel with your feet to seat them.

redzepp · Sep 29, 2016

I have changed the bearings. I have tried to fit it all together both with and without the new cush rubbers. I have checked the length of the brake hub spindles vs. the depth of the holes in the wheel. BTW, I bought a new brake hub that accepts 520 x-ring chain.

redzepp · Sep 29, 2016

acadian said:
redzepp said:

I am in the midst of restoring two 1971 Commando's. I am attempting to assemple the rear axle on one of them. I cannot insert the right hand spacer (06-0324). It lacks about 3/16" of having enough room. Here is the mystery. I measured the total open space between the swingarm axle slots at exactly 8". Then I measured two other swingarms that I have. They were both 7.5". Does anyone know what this measurement should be? Can I use the 7.5" swingarm with a modified spacer? Can the swingarm be tweaked somehow to spread it? Thanks!

Click to expand...

Is the speedo drive properly seated on the two dogs?

Yes, the drive is seated completely.

redzepp · Sep 29, 2016

L.A.B. said:
redzepp said:

I measured the total open space between the swingarm axle slots at exactly 8". Then I measured two other swingarms that I have. They were both 7.5". Does anyone know what this measurement should be?

Click to expand...

Approximately 8-1/16."

Have you changed the wheel bearings?

Yes, all new wheel bearings.

L.A.B. · Sep 29, 2016

redzepp said:
Yes, all new wheel bearings.

In that case, are you sure the bearing spacer tube is fitted the correct way around with the 'long' end on the right?

Did you follow the bearing installation procedure given in the factory manual to fit the RH bearing and fully tighten the lock ring before fitting the LH bearing?

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-dr ... m-bearings
06-2069 Item [29]

concours · Sep 29, 2016

Not uncommon to have to spread the swingarm a bit at assembly. A slight cocking of the wheel & spacers can usualy get it started, straightening spreads it.

redzepp · Oct 16, 2016

L.A.B. said:
redzepp said:

Yes, all new wheel bearings.

Click to expand...

In that case, are you sure the bearing spacer tube is fitted the correct way around with the 'long' end on the right?

Did you follow the bearing installation procedure given in the factory manual to fit the RH bearing and fully tighten the lock ring before fitting the LH bearing?

https://andover-norton.co.uk/en/shop-dr ... m-bearings
06-2069 Item [29]

I did not tighten the lockring first. Perhaps that is the culprit! Thanks!!

Swingarm Mystery

redzepp

acadian

L.A.B.

Moderator

Guido

redzepp

redzepp

redzepp

L.A.B.

Moderator

concours

redzepp

Similar threads