'80 Special Rear Axle question

[jacked_72]

On my 80 Special, the rear axle has a castle nut and cotter pin on the left side and a hole on the right side. Is there supposed to be a pin going through this hole on the right side? The reason I ask is that there were a couple of bolts the previous owner had left off on the front forks and I'm concerned that the rear suspension is going to separate from the frame on the rear if something is missing. I didn't seen anything going through the axle hole in the parts diagrams, but I thought it better to be safe than sorry. Thanks.

[jetmechmarty]

The hole on the right side is for you to hold the axle while you torque the nut on the other side. A #2 Phillips screwdriver should go through the hole. You may notice a hook on the swingarm that will grab the screwdriver and keep the axle from turning. Remove the screwdriver after proper torque is applied to the nut.

[jayel]

and then there is a pinch bolt to tighten, squeezes down to hold the right side axle end

[MaximPhil]

and then there is a pinch bolt to tighten, squeezes down to hold the right side axle end

Note "then" in above. Pinch bolt is tightened AFTER castle nut has been torqued. Make sure you have the spacers in the correct place and orientation.
Check the disc is centred in the caliper.
Phil

[TopCatGr58]

I'll just add .... you said Castle Nut and cotter pin, you didn't mention the large 2mm or so thick washer that goes on before the castlenut!?

T.C.

[fredintoon]

- - - You may notice a hook on the swingarm that will grab the screwdriver and keep the axle from turning. - - -

Hi Marty,
well, color me stupid.
Every time I pulled the rear wheel I wondered why that funny little hook was there.

[motoman]

Hi Marty,
well, color me stupid.
Every time I pulled the rear wheel I wondered why that funny little hook was there.

Actually they're for the 'over fender' cable loop ends that hold suspension compressed on 78-80Standards. This allows axle removal clearance of the early Standards exhaust. Seems to work good as a stop catch too.

My Venturer came with that cable coiled up in the left side-cover when new. Not needed on the Venturer, as it has the shorty Special upswept exhaust.

[metdrummer]

I'm glad to see this thread isn't too old, because I've been curious about this again. My dad owned my '81 XS1100S before me and even back then we pondered the purpose of a pin going through the right side of the rear axle for a while now. I noticed the hook and my first thought was that it might be a safety measure in the horrible event your axle gets loose while riding (although I doubt it would do a lot of good at that point).

But, if I'm reading this right, it's just there to keep the axle from moving when you're torquing the castle nut down. Probably added by a PO so he wouldn't have to possibly ruin one of his screwdrivers? Thanks guys!

[trbig]

Deleted


But plus 1 to the post count?!? lol

[motoman]

I'm glad to see this thread isn't too old, because I've been curious about this again. My dad owned my '81 XS1100S before me and even back then we pondered the purpose of a pin going through the right side of the rear axle for a while now. I noticed the hook and my first thought was that it might be a safety measure in the horrible event your axle gets loose while riding (although I doubt it would do a lot of good at that point).

But, if I'm reading this right, it's just there to keep the axle from moving when you're torquing the castle nut down. Probably added by a PO so he wouldn't have to possibly ruin one of his screwdrivers? Thanks guys!

Re-read post #7.

[BA80]

Deleted


But plus 1 to the post count?!? lol

Ha ha ha ha ha ha , must have been something that shouldn't be said out loud in public.