Any Tips For Installing The Rear Wheel?

[Kev250R]

So I recently removed my wheels and had new Shinko tires mounted which I can't wait to try out! The problem is I can't seem to get the rear wheel to mount properly. No matter what I do the small side-plates on the sides of the Swingarm don't seem to want to 'seat' into the Swingarm properly. Any help or tips would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[SneakyDingo]

You probably installed #4 of the swingarm backwards. The convex side faces outwards (see diagram), and the swingarm plate (#24 of the rear wheel) aligns with that. If you don't put it in with the convex side facing outwards, it won't go in. Also, make sure that the keyed portion of #5 on the rear swingarm diagram faces downwards.

Can't tell you how many times I get those backwards. Like at least 80% of the time.

EDIT: attach reference photos if this isn't the case, because that's the only thing I can think of. Those swingarm plates can be installed upside down without penalty.



Rear wheel:


Swingarm:

 

[dmonkey]

^ I've also done that and suspect it's the issue you're having.
One other tip for future work, before putting the bike on the center stand slide a sheet of wood under where the center stand will go, or otherwise try to position the bike so that the front tire can touch ground lower down than the rear tire would be able to. The stock rear fender drapes down far where it makes it a real PITA to get the right angle to pull the rear wheel out the back or push it back in. Give yourself an extra inch to slide the wheel in from the rear and it makes all the difference, especially if you're working with oversized knobby tires.

 

[SneakyDingo]

^ I've also done that and suspect it's the issue you're having.
One other tip for future work, before putting the bike on the center stand slide a sheet of wood under where the center stand will go, or otherwise try to position the bike so that the front tire can touch ground lower down than the rear tire would be able to. The stock rear fender drapes down far where it makes it a real PITA to get the right angle to pull the rear wheel out the back or push it back in. Give yourself an extra inch to slide the wheel in from the rear and it makes all the difference, especially if you're working with oversized knobby tires.

When I was on the CDT ride, I hung the back wheel off the edge of a curb at a truck stop. Worked great.

 

[Kev250R]

You probably installed #4 of the swingarm backwards. The convex side faces outwards (see diagram), and the swingarm plate (#24 of the rear wheel) aligns with that. If you don't put it in with the convex side facing outwards, it won't go in. Also, make sure that the keyed portion of #5 on the rear swingarm diagram faces downwards.

Can't tell you how many times I get those backwards. Like at least 80% of the time.

EDIT: attach reference photos if this isn't the case, because that's the only thing I can think of. Those swingarm plates can be installed upside down without penalty.



Rear wheel:
View attachment 6891

Swingarm:
View attachment 6892

Thanks Sneaky Dingo! It's the Swingarm plates which I'm having problems with; they just won't go back-in flush with the Swingarm.

I didn't remove the rear sprocket from the rear wheel, though it's possible the shop which mounted the tire did so I'll check that it's installed properly. I'm thinking one of the spacers (#5) may be out of place. Last night was 'Date Night' with my girl so tonight after work I'll dig into it again. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Kev250R]

^ I've also done that and suspect it's the issue you're having.
One other tip for future work, before putting the bike on the center stand slide a sheet of wood under where the center stand will go, or otherwise try to position the bike so that the front tire can touch ground lower down than the rear tire would be able to. The stock rear fender drapes down far where it makes it a real PITA to get the right angle to pull the rear wheel out the back or push it back in. Give yourself an extra inch to slide the wheel in from the rear and it makes all the difference, especially if you're working with oversized knobby tires.

It's definitly something I'm going to check. I know what you mean about the rear fender getting in the way, I ran into that two nights ago when I was working on it. At one point I lifted the bike up with my floor jack, which helped but the next time I work on it I'm going to dig my MC Jack out from the back of my garage and use that, Hopefully it goes smoother.

Thanks for the tips!

 

[SneakyDingo]

At one point I lifted the bike up with my floor jack, which helped but the next time I work on it I'm going to dig my MC Jack out from the back of my garage and use that

IIRC @m in sc has warned against lifting the motorcycle by the <gestures vaguely at the bashplate portion of the bike> because it's not strong enough/designed to take that kind of weight.

Any chance you can take a photo of the swingarm plates and what they look like when not sitting flush?

 

[Kev250R]

**SOLVED**

It was the Chain Adjusters; (#4 in the second diagram that Sneaky Dingo posted) I had them installed backwards.

Once I installed them the correct way, everything went back together easily.

After I got everything back together again I went for a ~10 mile street ride. The new tires still feel 'gummy' which is to be expected but other then that I like them. Supposed to be doing a longer street ride and a trail ride next week then a trip back up to the lake so they'll get a good workout soon!

Thanks for all the advice everyone!

 

[Kev250R]

IIRC @m in sc has warned against lifting the motorcycle by the <gestures vaguely at the bashplate portion of the bike> because it's not strong enough/designed to take that kind of weight.

I totoally agree, the bash plate isn't designed to be used that way. At that point though I was being lazy and didn't want to move a couple of other bikes and ATV's to get to my Cycle Jack (which really is what I should have done). My floor jack was just sitting there looking bored so it got pressed into service. Thankfully I didn't damage the plate or it's mounts (the front wheel was still on the ground so it was supporting a lot of the weight). That and replacing that plate with a stronger one is on my short-list of things to do to this bike.

 

[Kev250R]

^ I've also done that and suspect it's the issue you're having.
One other tip for future work, before putting the bike on the center stand slide a sheet of wood under where the center stand will go, or otherwise try to position the bike so that the front tire can touch ground lower down than the rear tire would be able to. The stock rear fender drapes down far where it makes it a real PITA to get the right angle to pull the rear wheel out the back or push it back in. Give yourself an extra inch to slide the wheel in from the rear and it makes all the difference, especially if you're working with oversized knobby tires.

Thanks for this tip! I ended-up doing that and it made a huge difference!