[GAMD5]

Well I've been studying all old pics I have and most 'as new' pics show the spindle going through from the chain cog side.Although it may not matter (as parts lists differ) it still bugs me not to know how they were originally fitted?My latest train of thought is that most people would have wanted the spanner in their right hand.However I'm now 90% convinced they would have pushed through from the cog side.Regards Chris.

 

[66Sprint]

Not sure this is an answer, but most Hondas seem to have the axles inserted from the bike's right side with the nut on the left....

Even the right-side sprocket 305 scrambler...

I can't see where it actually makes any difference on a "through-axle" providing there are no clearance issues and the axle is torqued properly and you use a cotter....
Front wheels, where the nut is also a spacer are a different story.... Steve

 

[tbpmusic]

I'd have to agree with Steve - he's a pretty smart dude.
Usually you do see the nut on the rider's left side, probably due to the direction of rotation or something.
But since you have a cotter pin there, can't see how it really matters much.

 

[GAMD5]

Yes most honda spindle nuts are on the drivers left side,yes it probably dosen't matter,weev'e also been through the direction of rotation before.But I'm trying to find out which way round it was put in when ORIGINALLY built.Yes I agree with everything said but I'm probably a deluded perfectionist and still looking for the correct answer.Has anyone out there got any early pics when new they can look at.It still seems to me that the KO was not the norm. in this respect.Regards & thanks Chris.

 

[GAMD5]

Thought I'd post a nice orig. pic which some of you may not have seen before.Again the nut shown on the side you wouldn't think?Regards Chris.
Just trying to pass my nut bug over to someone else. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[tbpmusic]

Chris -

It would appear that the Bomber is correct with the nut on the rider's right side.
I also suppose some persnickety concourse judge might gig you on it, as well.
I know you do those hard-core Restorations, so better keep it on the right.......

Don't think I've ever seen air cleaner covers like the ones in your photo.....

 

[GAMD5]

Thanks Bill I'm getting more confident on this by the minute.Have you deduced that from my pics or have you some hidden information somewhere.Hopefully my bugs on the way out.Looks like Ray,me and one or two others will have a bit of swopping round to do.Regards Chris.

 

[tbpmusic]

Chris -

I have a large number of photos - I looked at all of them and all the fiches I could find, as well.

 

[KERRY]

I can't remember ever seeing the rear axle on the 450 or 500T inserted from the right. The nut has always been on the right side, although I also don't see that it would make any difference. The last few times I've worked on the rear wheel assembly, it's required taking the wheel out. I vaguely seem to remember that, with the spacer removed, the brake can be taken out without removing the wheel. If that is the case, being able to leave the axle part way inserted would be convenient as it would hold the wheel in place and let you leave the chain on.

 

[tbpmusic]

Kerry -

I've seen it both ways on 450's, from back in The Day till now.
Never had a 500T myself, though I' have worked on them.
Don't remember anything about the axle, except that you had to pull a muffler(s ??) to get the axle out (real convenient).

 

[GAMD5]

Last but one comment has refreshed my memory from 40 years ago.Yes that is what I should have remembered and that is probably why I had such a bad bug.I now remember I used to just put the spindle in a short distance and use to lever wheel up to put opposite spacer in and line everything up using Bills lean about a bit methods.Thanks chaps .Now you may not bother putting them in the right way round but I sure bet you look at every picture closer and are amazed at how many you find that are incorrectly fitted. Think weev'e all learned something here.Regards Chris.

 

[KERRY]

You don't have to pull a muffler. Not speculation: I've had the rear wheels off two different 500Ts within the last six months. I have a 450 K5 - same thing. Jack the bike up under the frame enough for the wheel to clear the mudguard, Loosen the axle bolt and pull the wheel back off the arms. The axle doesn't have to come out to do this. Once the wheel is off, the mufflers don't matter. I made a motorcycle frame jack out of a caravan levelling jack with a board bolted to it. Remarkably steady, but I'm very cautious with it none the less. Using the main stand with a block of wood under it will work, but not easy getting it up there.

 

[66Sprint]

Kerry...The 500T I understand...Pivot the adjusters, pull the removable "stops" and the axle slides rearwards and out (providing you have removed the chain),... but pray tell, HOW do you pull the axle through on the 450 swingarm?... My K6 has closed (solid) loops... :shock: ... So, there may be another swingarm that will work and fit the axle ....If so, I'd like to know what it came from.... Got any pix that may help us identify it?

 

[GAMD5]

Nut bug 2 sorted 5 minute job still 3 more to change though.Kerry have you got pics or was that an oops?

 

[KERRY]

Hmmmm - I'll have to go take a look - I'll sort of have to find the 450 which is around here somewhere, not exactly all in one piece... but I've never had to remove a muffler to take a wheel off as far as I can recall, although I remember I had to take one off to remove something from the motor or the frame - actually, pipe, too - not recently, and I don't remember what machine (450/500T). I haven't ridden the 450 since '87. I only have one registered at a time - Registration and insurance cost reasons.

 

[KERRY]

I went out and took a look - I'd have to pull one or two bikes out to get back to the 450 (storage looks post-apocalyptic) and I suspect the motor might be out of that one anyway. I should try a re-torque on it, but I suspect it needs a head gasket. It's raining and freezing out, so that investigation will wait. What I was going to look for was a sort of box-shaped notch manufactured into the flange welded edge of the silencer to permit the axle to be withdrawn. I know something I have (or had) has that, and I can mentally eliminate practically everything but the 450. Maybe we'll get some feedback from someone else on this? I have a couple working machines and more essential machinery that needs work, so the motivation to fix the ones in the casualty ward awaits the motivation of something else threatening to die.

 

[Rayfromtheuk]

Chris,
I have checked many pictures I have of the BB and they show cleary the axle bolt coming in from the left, that is the sprocket side. I seem to recall the old DOHC site having this as a topic but cant remember what the outcome was. I think it was something to do with the wheel rotation and the thread of the axle nut but the details escape me. However, I personally think it looks better coming in from the right and all my machines have it that way. Chris, I think I have the colour of the rear back brake anchor bar wrong as I have painted mine black, but I think yours is correct being silver/grey? Again, I like it that way, but for sticklers of detail...............
Ray.

 

[GAMD5]

Hi Ray,Have only ever found one brake bar in black and it had definitley been painted.Originally I think they were some sort of anodised coating the same as the rear exhaust mounting plates.Mid silver is near enough for me-not that much of a perfectionist.
With regards to the rear wheel spindle,personally I feel it dosen't matter a jot which way round they go in but I always have it in the back of my mind that Mr Honda used to do things certain ways for a reason although we'll probably never know what it was in this case especially as it is not the norm as far as Hondas & even older British bikes go.Regards Chris.

 

[GAMD5]

Kerry ,Bombers should not be left in the casualty ward please transfer her to high dependency unit or intensive care and bring her back to life, however take you camera with you and post us some pics even if they are sick.Regards Chris.