Rear axle, pinch bolts

[Bonz]

Hey boys,

Just put my rear end back together, all properly lubed, packed and ready to go...

On the right side there is a visible gap on the axle between the brake mount plate that the axle goes through and the swing arm end with the pinch bolt.

It's a 1/4" gap or so, and I can lever things together and reduce the gap, tighten the pinch bolts and it looks better, but now I know there is the "stress" I induced to the system vs. just tightening the pinch bolts as it naturally sits. Yep, the castle nut is tight as needed first, and there is no slop or play in the rear end (side to side).

Am I good to go like I think I am?

Thanks mucho!

[jjwaller]

Sounds like you lost the spacer between the brake caliber arm and the brake torque arm.

DO NOT run this way!
Should be, hub, spacer, caliber bracket, spacer, torque arm, swingarm.

[newc4]

I have an SF and that's how my back axle sets. Has a bit of a space there. It is not the same setup as a standard.

With the stepped axle, once it is torqued down, a spacer doesn't really look necessary. I paid attention when I took my rear axle out, there was no spacer there.

Darrell

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Bonser,

Like Darrell said, there is a lip on the end of the axle that holds it against the spacers/brake bracket, and is what allows the castle nut to tighten. THEN you tighten the pinch bolt, and IF there is some space there, no big deal. Putting some tension to push the swingarm against the brake bracket is also no big deal.
T.C.

[jjwaller]

Sorry guys, Didn't know it
was a special. Only standards here.

[Bonz]

Thanks guys.

My bad for not identifying my bike as an 80 SG.

It's a bit confusing because the manual is set up for a standard. You have to pay attention to parts and the subtle variances with the Special.

It's like the front end, there is a gap between the wheel and the pinch bolt there as well.

Probably intelligent design so things can settle in their natural place and not cause stress.

What's to keep me from finding an appropriate washer or two and putting in there to tidy it up?

Probably not worth the effort, but maybe next time I have the rear end off I'll look into it.

I'll run it with the gap and call it good.

Thanks again!

[John]

The way I see it

Is that Yama Mama didn't put a washer there 'cause she didn't want one there, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna argue with her.
Really, a washer is not necessary to fill that space. Once the axle nut is tightened, then all you need to do is tighten the pinch bolt.