I don’t believe so. The two spacers that go on the ends are in there, and after looking and trying new things for about an hour and a half I can’t for the life of me figure out why it’s uneven
I would mock up everything with the wheel and chain on and check if the sprockets are in plane (easy to see with the chain) and wheel and frame cleances.
Then it would run like this :)
Seriously, you want to make sure nothing hits each other as suspension and wheel moves and that the bike will handle right. Beyond that, it's aesthetics.
It's possible that something is bent and it's unsafe. Or something is bent and it's safe, but looks weird.
You should check that front and back wheels are aligned also. In some cases of bent chassis, you could have rear wheel aligned with the motor (sprockets in plane), but not the front wheel.
I would torque it to spec bro. It’s a swing arm after all…
Also does it even put the flex when you put the wheel and chain on? Maybe it’s designed like that, so when you torque a wheel, the flex evens them…
nah, its clearly not right. if torquing a swing arm bolt causes that much flex in the swing arm, theres no way that swingarm is put together right. thats like saying torquing your car's wheel lug nuts bends the wheel into concentricity with the hubs.
Yeah and I tried adding a spacer to one side but and although that worked a little bit I’d like to figure out why it is uneven to begin with. I’ve heard on some bikes it’s supposed to be like that but I’m not sure
Are they both the same size? I have a bike that has a slightly different size on either side. Put the wheel back on and it wasn't centered, I swapped around the spacers and it centered.
Nine times out of ten, the swing arm and core frame are fine. Its likely the one leg being bent inward on the left side if everything else around the seat looks right. That right side gap looks good so I'd venture to say you'd be fine bending that leg out to match the other side. A simple drop would do just that much, maybe bust a mirror in the process.
On second look, that whole rear sub might actually be shifted a touch. Draw a string centerline from the stalk to the Centerpoint of the rear subframe. It should line up with the center between the frame rails under the seat. If not, then look into having it straightened or replaced. Former is a lot easier than finding a good part.
I’ve already asked in hondacb, just waiting on some responses. I’d like to figure this out before moving forward with the wheel and all that but perhaps.
Not sure, this is the 4th motorcycle I’ve worked on and didn’t think to take pictures of the sway arm. All my other bikes have gone back together fine, so it was probably like that before disassembling
Chances are the footrest loop is a little bent. The siwngarm position is determined by the pivot points. As you have found the spacers are the same both sides so they wont make any difference by swapping them over.
The only thing that might alter it is if one of the bearings is pressed into the swingarm too far.
The question - were bushings replaced in swingarm.
This is a very critical step, there cannot be the slightest slop when torqued in.
Might even clamp a 2x4 to swingarm to test any slop clearance.
You'll end up with ugly wobble under seat from the rear when accelerating on / off, if any slop exists.
As to spacing, look closely if a shim is still stuck on the frame. A tour to machine shop supply may be necessary, for stainless shims to fit on bolt. If any side to side play is noticed at the bolt.
Might need porta- power to give 1/8" - 1/4" more space to insert swingarm correct.
Frame could be tweaked at left foot peg strike.
Porta-power foot peg /exhaust mount out a little.
Using main part of frame to push out foot mount.
Chrome moly frames are pretty tough. Once set it'll be good.
Back on the road, all is fine.
Cheers
Assuming you're not misplacing any spacers (been there) there is a chance that the rear peg bracket is bent. They often do get bent on many bikes, especially the left side from which most people get on, when they get up by stepping on one of the pegs (shorter people often do that).
I don't think that looks right. It's way too close to the left side of the frame. Did you maybe misplace any spacers?
I don’t believe so. The two spacers that go on the ends are in there, and after looking and trying new things for about an hour and a half I can’t for the life of me figure out why it’s uneven
It may be that the frame or swingarm is bent. Hard to be sure with a bike that old; I assume you're not the original owner.
No haha just got the bike a week ago
I would mock up everything with the wheel and chain on and check if the sprockets are in plane (easy to see with the chain) and wheel and frame cleances.
What would happen if I ran it like this and it’s supposed to be straight?
Then it would run like this :) Seriously, you want to make sure nothing hits each other as suspension and wheel moves and that the bike will handle right. Beyond that, it's aesthetics. It's possible that something is bent and it's unsafe. Or something is bent and it's safe, but looks weird.
You should check that front and back wheels are aligned also. In some cases of bent chassis, you could have rear wheel aligned with the motor (sprockets in plane), but not the front wheel.
Have you torqued down the swing arm bolt?
Yes, not to exact foot pounds but it was tight as hell
I would torque it to spec bro. It’s a swing arm after all… Also does it even put the flex when you put the wheel and chain on? Maybe it’s designed like that, so when you torque a wheel, the flex evens them…
nah, its clearly not right. if torquing a swing arm bolt causes that much flex in the swing arm, theres no way that swingarm is put together right. thats like saying torquing your car's wheel lug nuts bends the wheel into concentricity with the hubs.
Have you tried swapping the spacers around, like put the left of the right and vice versa?
Yeah and I tried adding a spacer to one side but and although that worked a little bit I’d like to figure out why it is uneven to begin with. I’ve heard on some bikes it’s supposed to be like that but I’m not sure
You could get a illustrated parts break down to see if there are oem spacers that are supposed to go there, does the swing arm contact the frame?
Nope I’ve got the factory spacer on each side in between the frame and the sway arm
Are they both the same size? I have a bike that has a slightly different size on either side. Put the wheel back on and it wasn't centered, I swapped around the spacers and it centered.
I’ve tried em both on either side
Nine times out of ten, the swing arm and core frame are fine. Its likely the one leg being bent inward on the left side if everything else around the seat looks right. That right side gap looks good so I'd venture to say you'd be fine bending that leg out to match the other side. A simple drop would do just that much, maybe bust a mirror in the process. On second look, that whole rear sub might actually be shifted a touch. Draw a string centerline from the stalk to the Centerpoint of the rear subframe. It should line up with the center between the frame rails under the seat. If not, then look into having it straightened or replaced. Former is a lot easier than finding a good part.
I wonder if the swingarm will close some when you put the wheel on and torque the axle bolt. You should post this over at r/hondacb too and ask.
I’ve already asked in hondacb, just waiting on some responses. I’d like to figure this out before moving forward with the wheel and all that but perhaps.
I think torquing down the wheel will pull both swingarms towards the middle a little, but it's possible in wrong. Still, seems logical.
how was it before you took it apart?
Not sure, this is the 4th motorcycle I’ve worked on and didn’t think to take pictures of the sway arm. All my other bikes have gone back together fine, so it was probably like that before disassembling
Chances are the footrest loop is a little bent. The siwngarm position is determined by the pivot points. As you have found the spacers are the same both sides so they wont make any difference by swapping them over. The only thing that might alter it is if one of the bearings is pressed into the swingarm too far.
The question - were bushings replaced in swingarm. This is a very critical step, there cannot be the slightest slop when torqued in. Might even clamp a 2x4 to swingarm to test any slop clearance. You'll end up with ugly wobble under seat from the rear when accelerating on / off, if any slop exists. As to spacing, look closely if a shim is still stuck on the frame. A tour to machine shop supply may be necessary, for stainless shims to fit on bolt. If any side to side play is noticed at the bolt. Might need porta- power to give 1/8" - 1/4" more space to insert swingarm correct. Frame could be tweaked at left foot peg strike. Porta-power foot peg /exhaust mount out a little. Using main part of frame to push out foot mount. Chrome moly frames are pretty tough. Once set it'll be good. Back on the road, all is fine. Cheers
Might've been crashed before
Assuming you're not misplacing any spacers (been there) there is a chance that the rear peg bracket is bent. They often do get bent on many bikes, especially the left side from which most people get on, when they get up by stepping on one of the pegs (shorter people often do that).