Topic: Front wheel moves L to R on axel

[JDrider]

1975 cb550k1
My front brake has always been spongy.
Rebuilt the brake system and still the same.
I noticed the wheel can move left to right 2mm or so.
And I’m sure it’s not supposed to do that.
I imagine it would cause the brakes to not work properly.
So how can this be remedied?
Is there a shim or spacer missing or is it bearings?
Pics attached of the movement difference.
Thanks,

[MauiK3]

https://www.cmsnl.com/honda-cb550-four-cb550k3-1977-usa_model1015/partslist/F++09.html

Here is a parts diagram.
Looks like you have a collar in there. Check your assembly against the diagram

[bryanj]

The axle nuts on backwards, hexagon should be next to wheel not outside fork slider

[JDrider]

So you think the backwards nut will fix my situation?
I’m glad you noticed that.

[bryanj]

99.99% certain, as it is its not holding anything together, right way round clamps everything on axle tight, make sure speedo drive is engaged in tangs before tightening!

[JDrider]

Thank you guys for your help.
I have never messed with a wheel removal before.
I will look into this

[BenelliSEI]

Do it sooner than later. That play will “knock back” the pad and cylinder in your caliper, resulting in a very long lever, before anything actually happens.

[JDrider]

Do it sooner than later. That play will “knock back” the pad and cylinder in your caliper, resulting in a very long lever, before anything actually happens.

That is exactly the problem.
Do need to remove the wheel from the forks to do this?

[bryanj]

Yes, you need to remove wheel, put a bar in the hole on other end of axle, undo nut, turn over so hex is by wheel and do up tight making sure speedo drive is engaged and working all the time you are tightening.
3 hands helps but 2 will do

[JDrider]

Thank you

[Don R]

 The axle caps also have a gap at the rear that is normal, you can see the difference when looking at the cap.

[bryanj]

There should also be an arrow that faces forwads

[JDrider]

So …
When I went to remove the Speedo cable, it was already stripped.
So that took longest.
After that, had my dad sit on the rear seat and got everything removed
And reversed the axel nut and put back together.
Thanks for the help. Now I have to find a new Speedo screw. I put the old one in finger tight.

[Scootch]

Dad looks like a natural !  Perhaps he needs a bike?  🙂

[CycleRanger]

The axle caps also have a gap at the rear that is normal, you can see the difference when looking at the cap.

Yes! Like this.

[Don R]

 That bulletin is a perfect illustration.  Those speedometer cable screws are usually a pain for me too.

[CycleRanger]

Here's the other bulletin about the front axle.

[bryanj]

The speedo cable screw is called an "oval" screw and either 5 or 6 mm thread so doesnt have to be Honda.
Oval by the way means convex front and back of head

[HondaMan]

Take your old screw to Ace Hardware, they have the correct metric screw for that in all of the Aces around here.

[Don R]

 The axle from the wrong side bulletin may solve a few mystery brake issues we've seen here.

[MauiK3]

Always good to have a good shop manual and a good set of parts diagrams.