Swingarm / rear axle question

[george48pan]

I removed my rear wheel to rebuild the wheel cylinder and flush the lines. Then I installed the rear wheel and adjusted the chain. When I tightened the 1 3/8" nut, the axle on the right side moved off the adjuster. I never had this problem before. I have owned this bike since 78.

I put a straight edge on the outside of the swing arm tail on the right side . The straight edge rocked on the tail end. The tail end was not straight.

Would this be the cause of the axle moving?

I think I remember someone posting a dimensional drawing of the frame and swing arm. I did not find it in the knowledge base.

[RUBONE]

Usually means one or the other side of the swingarm is bent, or possibly the axle.Been having burnout fun?

[george48pan]

Usually I do a lot of highway or cruising.

I am not sure what year frame I have. I will have to take the swing arm off and see what I can find out.

Thanks for the input.

[blewcrab]

just use a helper , .....he or she can pry the axle nut back to the adjuster rod using a screwdriver , at the same time you tighten the nut on the chain side. This is not uncommon , once tightened it will remain in place !

[Northman]

just use a helper , .....he or she can pry the axle nut back to the adjuster rod using a screwdriver , at the same time you tighten the nut on the chain side. This is not uncommon , once tightened it will remain in place !

Agreed. Its annoying more than anything. I've experienced this on several swing arms over the years and usually grab the front of the tire with the left hand pull, then tighten with the right. Putting something in the gap as blewcrab suggests in probably more applicable...

Just my 2 cents
Northman

[Excalibur]

For readers information, dimensional drawing is here:
Swingarm frame

More info and pics on my blog about how I straightened my swingarm. It surprised me how easy it came back to true.

[george48pan]

Rubone is right.
I did have a bent swingarm. I straightened it and checked measurements from HD 59-69 Panhead manual. Tomorrow it will be painted.
As Excalibur stated it was very easy to bring back to being true.