Crooked spool | GTAMotorcycle.com

Crooked spool

DrSavant

DrSavant

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One of the spools on my swingarm is slightly crooked, i.e. its not at 90 degrees but at 86 or so. I'm wondering if this could lead to any sort of issues, if I'm storing the bike on stands throughout the winter. I know it may sound weird/lame, however I'm thinking of pressure possibly being constantly applied where the front joins the frame, or something like that....
 
tighten it if its loose............other wise its fine...carry on

or just buy a new bike
 
Now that we're done with the token GTAM lame reply, I'd like some real thoughts from those who understand what was asked.
 
ok...........hit it with a hammer and make it straight!!!!!!



oh ya...........BUY A NEW BIKE
 
where IS Brian P when you need him??!!!!
 
boooya said:
Should be fine.
Why not just change it and get a new one on there for piece of mind?
They are fairly inexpensive.
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Thanks for thinking. The problem is not with the spool itself, but with the angle at which the swingarm was drilled, i.e the fundamental issue comes from the hole, so short of drilling new holes and reinstalling the spools, nothing can be done, hence my question on possible effects.

It's great for maintenance, but winter storage got me thinking of effects over the course of 3+ months, where the bike sits on front and rear stands, and the rear end has a slight lean because of the crooked spool.
 
If it's really the angle that the hole was drilled at, and not the bolt bending or distorted, then there's no problem. Nothing bad will happen.
 
TwistedKestrel said:
If it's really the angle that the hole was drilled at, and not the bolt bending or distorted, then there's no problem. Nothing bad will happen.
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Fair enough. Now try to imagine the bike slightly leaning to one side as a whole, until some point, where at the front stand/forks, the bike is completely straight.
 
I would be more upset if your car tires aren't inflated to the same pressure...say 1 tire is 2lbs low...THAT would crack your car frame.....RIGHT......



oh yes....I WAS blonde when I was younger :)
 
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DrSavant said:
One of the spools on my swingarm is slightly crooked, i.e. its not at 90 degrees but at 86 or so. I'm wondering if this could lead to any sort of issues, if I'm storing the bike on stands throughout the winter. I know it may sound weird/lame, however I'm thinking of pressure possibly being constantly applied where the front joins the frame, or something like that....
Click to expand...

Remember those words - you typed 'em.

GSXMAER said:
or just buy a new bike
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+ 1
(MAER knows his stuff)

DrSavant said:
Now that we're done with the token GTAM lame reply, I'd like some real thoughts from those who understand what was asked.
Click to expand...

Far less lame than your OP.

GSXMAER said:
where IS Brian P when you need him??!!!!
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Handing out infractions. :)

DrSavant said:
Thanks for thinking. The problem is not with the spool itself, but with the angle at which the swingarm was drilled, i.e the fundamental issue comes from the hole, so short of drilling new holes and reinstalling the spools, nothing can be done, hence my question on possible effects.

It's great for maintenance, but winter storage got me thinking of effects over the course of 3+ months, where the bike sits on front and rear stands, and the rear end has a slight lean because of the crooked spool.
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Please post a pic of the swingarm with a hole drilled in it - both sides preferably.

GSXMAER said:
oh yes....I WAS blonde when I was younger :)
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Is it all gray, or gone?

DrSavant said:
Obviously you're a winner.
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Have you ridden with him, or are you being sarcastic looking for an infraction / ban hammer?

DrSavant said:
Thanks for the opinion - exactly what I'm looking to collect.
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Have you scoped out the bottom of the swingarm, searching for a crack causing the 'bend'?
I can't picture a swingarm with holes drilled in it to accomodate rear stand spools. Is there a bung welded to it?
Again - please post a picture of each side of drilled swingarm.
(if it's a Kawi - it's probably cracked - be careful - put lots of pillows on the ground where you anticipate the bike to fall over).

Now - another solution (to keep it simple).......get yourself a length of 3/8" or 1/2" piece of re-bar and slide it through your rear axle - use your spool stand with that, and Bob's your uncle, and MAER will come and check your air pressure - he's good at that too. Or - buy a new bike ;-)
 
Gary said:
Have you ridden with him, or are you being sarcastic looking for an infraction / ban hammer?
Click to expand...

And you are that hammer? Sarcasm seems to rule GTAM, since the early days.


Gary said:
Have you scoped out the bottom of the swingarm, searching for a crack causing the 'bend'?
I can't picture a swingarm with holes drilled in it to accomodate rear stand spools. Is there a bung welded to it?
Again - please post a picture of each side of drilled swingarm.
(if it's a Kawi - it's probably cracked - be careful - put lots of pillows on the ground where you anticipate the bike to fall over).

Now - another solution (to keep it simple).......get yourself a length of 3/8" or 1/2" piece of re-bar and slide it through your rear axle - use your spool stand with that, and Bob's your uncle, and MAER will come and check your air pressure - he's good at that too. Or - buy a new bike ;-)
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There is no crack. The "bend" as you've called it, is caused by the spool bolt going into the swingarm at an angle. That's all. Instead of a 90 degree angle at the point of entry, there is an 86-87 degree angle.

If you can't picture a swingarm with holes drilled in order to install spools, then why are you participating in this discussion? A lot of bikes don't come with spools. So people drill a small hole on each side, then thread these holes, and then screw in spools with bolts, preferrably using Loctite... Simple and easy. The spools on my bike were not installed in the cleanest way. While I will be replacing the swingarm eventually, since someone has promised me one powdercoated black, to finish up my project, it won't be happening in the next 2-3 months.
 
DrSavant said:
And you are that hammer? Sarcasm seems to rule GTAM, since the early days.




There is no crack. The "bend" as you've called it, is caused by the spool bolt going into the swingarm at an angle. That's all. Instead of a 90 degree angle at the point of entry, there is an 86-87 degree angle.

If you can't picture a swingarm with holes drilled in order to install spools, then why are you participating in this discussion? A lot of bikes don't come with spools. So people drill a small hole on each side, then thread these holes, and then screw in spools with bolts, preferrably using Loctite... Simple and easy. The spools on my bike were not installed in the cleanest way. While I will be replacing the swingarm eventually, since someone has promised me one powdercoated black, to finish up my project, it won't be happening in the next 2-3 months.
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Pardon me, I'm sorry to have entered your almighty "discussion" (trolling is not really discussing, especially when you diss & overlook every suggestion made)
I've only been riding since the early 70's - unlike you, I'm still new at this.:rolleyes:
Sorry if I havn't seen a swingarm that's been butchered, I mean drilled to accomodate spools & locktite. MAYBE, just MAYBE that's my reason for asking for pictures - oh, and to possibly offer more suggestions, other than the re-bar trick that you so smoothly overlooked. (think about it)
You don't seem the least bit grateful, or care for suggestions, so me, and likely a whole whack of other readers are hoping your bike does in fact fall over. I've got my fingers crossed for ya Dr. I'll be listening carefully for that dreaded 'crunch', when your bike with 86 - 87 degree swingarm holes falls over.
I'll leave you & your DISS cussion alone now.....you don't need any 'motorcycle' related assistance - the proof's in the pudding.
 
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its a static load. If it doesent brake in the first 5 seconds, its likely not going to break over the winter just sitting there. I would replace it when you can afford it. If its the thread on the swingarm, thats bent, i would use a different kind of stand that doesent require spools.
 
Thanks for the response. I guess I've failed in explaining the issue properly - I'm not concerned with the spool breaking. I'm concerned with the rear and subsequently the frame of the bike being at a slight angle to the front end, thus causing constant pressure somewhere around the steering joint.
 
Gary said:
Pardon me, I'm sorry to have entered your almighty "discussion" (trolling is not really discussing, especially when you diss & overlook every suggestion made)
I've only been riding since the early 70's - unlike you, I'm still new at this.:rolleyes:
Sorry if I havn't seen a swingarm that's been butchered, I mean drilled to accomodate spools & locktite. MAYBE, just MAYBE that's my reason for asking for pictures - oh, and to possibly offer more suggestions, other than the re-bar trick that you so smoothly overlooked. (think about it)
You don't seem the least bit grateful, or care for suggestions, so me, and likely a whole whack of other readers are hoping your bike does in fact fall over. I've got my fingers crossed for ya Dr. I'll be listening carefully for that dreaded 'crunch', when your bike with 86 - 87 degree swingarm holes falls over.
I'll leave you & your DISS cussion alone now.....you don't need any 'motorcycle' related assistance - the proof's in the pudding.
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LOL! You just made my day, thank you!


DrSavant: Post a picture of the dangerously bent swing arm spool so that we may help you better.
 
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DrSavant said:
Thanks for the response. I guess I've failed in explaining the issue properly - I'm not concerned with the spool breaking. I'm concerned with the rear and subsequently the frame of the bike being at a slight angle to the front end, thus causing constant pressure somewhere around the steering joint.
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Way straighter than on the side stand. relax.
 
DrSavant said:
One of the spools on my swingarm is slightly crooked, i.e. its not at 90 degrees but at 86 or so. I'm wondering if this could lead to any sort of issues, if I'm storing the bike on stands throughout the winter. I know it may sound weird/lame, however I'm thinking of pressure possibly being constantly applied where the front joins the frame, or something like that....
Click to expand...

i don't think it's an issue but you could shim up that side of the stand if you're concerned

beveling the back of the spool 4 degrees might work too
 
The lateral force on one side of rear swingarm (lbs of bike /2=x+gravity*3=xy) will put stress on front down tubes and bearings...
but only half will be under stress (because of the 4 degree..if you remember) ....thus when used 4-6 months later will rotate 180 degrees and give you
............................WAIT FOR IT
a tank slapper on the back straight.....
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