Topic: Tightening rear axle bolt question...

[Dave-and-his-550]

Right, so I got the muffler on, and don't feel like removing it to tighten the bolt with a torque wrench (But I will if I get the impression I must). So with that in mind, the torque value is supposed to be from 57.8-72.3 lbft. I decided to tighten with a wrench and a long piece of PVC pipe like so:



Kind of a vague question--But will pushing that thing with as much force as I can muster do the trick?

[seaweb11]

A tight snug is all I have ever done.

[HondanutRider]

With a pipe that long, all the force you can muster - will likely be way too much.

[Cuts Crooked]

With a pipe that long, all the force you can muster - will likely be way too much.

+1 on that!

I would just use the wrench and get it as tight as you can.......which may be more than you need. I just make sure mine is good and snug, and I ain't no muscle man by any stretch.

[Kevin400F]

Just remember, they give you an axle nut wrench in the tool kit, along with a little extension sleeve.   Could you get it loose with that?

Reminds me of being stuck on the side of a road with a flat tire back in the day, cursing the tire shop that hammered the lug nuts home with a monster air wrench.

[Gordon]

Just remember, they give you an axle nut wrench in the tool kit, along with a little extension sleeve.   Could you get it loose with that?

Very good point.

Tight with a regular wrench and then a new cotter pin.  It's not going anywhere. 

[BobbyR]

You cannot get a proper torque values with a pipe on the torgue wrench anyway. It is a castle nut anyway. Just tighten it, line up the hole in the bolt with the nut, put in the pin and you are good to go.

[Dave-and-his-550]

Hahaha, ok. Sorry I just imagined what 70 ft lb's of torque would be and shot for it. I should prob loosen it back a little then.

I'll check my toolkit, had no idea there was a tool in there for it 

There's a cotter pin?? shi- I better look at the parts diagram and start huntin for it...

[Gordon]

Hahaha, ok. Sorry I just imagined what 70 ft lb's of torque would be and shot for it. I should prob loosen it back a little then.

I'll check my toolkit, had no idea there was a tool in there for it 

There's a cotter pin?? shi- I better look at the parts diagram and start huntin for it...

I don't use the wrench in the stock tool kit for regular maintenance, but it was a good point to bring up that you don't want it so tight that you can't loosen it on the side of the road with the wrench in the tool kit. 

You can get new cotter pins at any hardware store.

[Dave-and-his-550]

You make a good point Gordon. You can tell I'm not a seasoned rider, yet.

Cotter pins, I know. I just got nothing better to do this Saturday night, so why not clean up the garage and look for missing parts 

[NickC]

I don't ever reuse cotter pins, unless i really have to. Go to the hardware store and buy a handful. They are cheap

[MCRider]

Hahaha, ok. Sorry I just imagined what 70 ft lb's of torque would be and shot for it. I should prob loosen it back a little then.

I'll check my toolkit, had no idea there was a tool in there for it 

There's a cotter pin?? shi- I better look at the parts diagram and start huntin for it...

Look at it this way. 70 ft/lb is 70 pounds on a foot long wrench. If you weigh 140 lbs, use a 6 inch wrench and stand on it.

The wrench in the tool kit will do it that way. Just stand on it in reverse to get it off.

I put the nut on the chain side so as to get to it easier. A 750 don't matter so much as the wheel comes straight out the back. The axle doesn't need to be pulled.  Don't think the 500 wheel does it that way? Still I'd cosider flopping the axle around.

[Dave-and-his-550]

You guys stop being so rational, its boring! just kiddin.

 ya I'll get some new cotter pins.

[Gordon]

On a side note:

When forced to use only the tools in the stock, under-seat tool kit, you'd be really surprised at how many different and essential things they were designed to do while simultaneously taking up as little space as possible. 

It would be a good idea for any sohc4 owner, in the comfort and safety of their own garage, to do as much maintenance on their bike with the stock tool kit as possible just so they're not only familiar with the tools, but also so they know how much the tools are actually capable of handling. 

[Brown Bomber]

I've been using Hitch Pin Clips on axles for years. Reusable too.

[BobbyR]

I've been using Hitch Pin Clips on axles for years. Reusable too.

+1 I use one, real nice to use.

[Don R]

+3

[crazypj]

Trick I learned when working on aircooled Beetle rear hubs.
 Get correct socket/wrench/spanner (one in the toolkit will work fine.)
 Find a pipe that fits on toolkit wrench, measure 1,2,3,4ft or whatever. (piece of conduit,flatten end with a hammer)
Stand on bathroom scale, press down until your 70lbs lighter with 1 ft bar, 35lbs with 2 ft, etc
seems to work OK on limited access axle nuts with higher torque values (40ft/lbs+)

PJ
 

[HondanutRider]

I've been using Hitch Pin Clips on axles for years. Reusable too.

+1 I use one, real nice to use.

Nice to use...but not nice looking in my opinion.  I've seem really beautifully restored Hondas with these Hitch Pin Clips on the axles, and they make the whole bike look clunky.  A nice new cotter pin, trimmed to the correct length with just one side bent out (the inside one), looks so proper and neat.  They show pride and care in assembly.  Using Hitch Pins reminds me of a pretty face using dark Bobby Pins to tack back lovely blond hair.

[lone*X]

The hitch pins also come in chrome.  I've used one since the late 70's that is still bright. 

[MCRider]

The hitch pins also come in chrome.  I've used one since the late 70's that is still bright.  

Chrome, from where?

We used hitch pins on the roadracer. Put a twist of safety wire around the open end so it can't come out for tech inspection. Snip and it pops right out.

Another length of wire at the loop end and it stays with the bike.