Topic: To grease or not to grease

[quidger]

I put new rear wheel bearings in my '75 CB550 and am now reassembling the wheel. My questions is whether or not to put grease on the axle and in the spacer area when I re-mount the wheel.
I think that when I took the spacer out that there was no grease at all inside of the spacer or on the axle. I would assume that it would be correct to grease the axle and inside the spacer.

Am I right to grease the axle or not?

Thanks. 

[TwoTired]

I say yes.  Bare metal corrodes.  Grease is a protective coating as well as a lubricant.

[CycleRanger]

I say yes.  Bare metal corrodes.  Grease is a protective coating as well as a lubricant.

+1 What he said.

[MCRider]

I was wondering what others might say. I think from a strict perspective, there is nothing that actually turns on the axle. Alll the spacers and inside bearing races are stationary in relation to the axle. So grease is technically unnecessary.

But as TT says, the fact they are stationary will allow them to corrode to one another and a light film of grease would preclude that, and couldn't hurt.
I wouldn't get caried away as it will mostly all scrape off anyway as you pass the axle thru its first spacer/housing.

[754]

On the 750, the wheel can be slid out the rear with axle intact, it must be done with stock pipes, or you have to remove 1 or 2 pipes instead.

 On the 750, as a result they are often stuck, and are a lot of work to remove, and usually results in destroying the axle.

 Believe me, you dont want to deal with one of them.... grease it..