Topic: CB750 axle nut thread direction?

[JBlair]

Awesome forum! Long time lurker, first time posting.

I'm the proud owner of a 1976 cb750k. What a great bike. Now to the tech part...

I'm trying to adjust my chain tension, but I can't get my rear axle nut off. I loosened the adjuster locknuts/bolts and removed the cotter pin, of course, then went at it with my adjustable wrench and some WD-40. It won't budge. I was assuming the nut turns the standard counter-clockwise to loosen, since the shop manual and popular forums (sohc4, greenspun) don't say otherwise. Is that correct? I want to make sure before I go beating on it with a hammer.

Last time it was off was when they put new tires on it at the shop. I'm thinking they over torqued it with a air wrench or something.

Thanks a lot for your help.

-jesse

[Matt at PSB]

If it is an OEM rear axle it has normal thread; i.e. at the top of the fastener lefty loosy righty tighty. If it is OEM it is a 26mm wrench size. Go out & purchase a 26mm box end wrench & 48" of schedule 80 steel pipe with a big enough I.D. to go over the wrench. Use a round shank long reach screw drive that fits in the hole at the other end of the axle. It the screwdriver is not enough get a 48" pipe wrench on that end of the axle instead of the screwdriver. Yes, the pipe wrench will damage that end of the axle, but you are out of options at that point. Try not to knock the bike over!

The real nightmare begins if you get the nut off & cannot drive the axle out of the wheel bearings!

Matt at PSB

[JBlair]

Thanks a lot for your help. Luckily I was able to get it loose by just leaning on it with a biig 'ol adjustable wrench. Now my chain has the proper tension. Thanks again.

-jesse