Axle Spacer Issue, Please help.

[PapaKonkel]

I'm hoping someone here can help me out.

I have a 2001 Road king. I am putting a wheel on it from a 2008 flhx. I changed the axle to 25mm and installed the spacers that came with the kit (JP 220-500). The bike also has tri-glide triple trees although I doubt that matters.

The problem I am having is this. When I installed the spacers they were very difficult to get in place. I felt like I was flexing the fork lowers out just to get them in. Has anyone had any experience with this? I know most of the bikes on here are newer so prob dont have all the issues I do, but maybe someone has run into this before.

I called HD (uhg) to try and get some spacer dimensions, but no body there could help either.

Heres the OEM spacer numbers: 00-07 43521-00 and 43520-00, 08-12 41901-08.

It seams to me that because I ordered the axle and spacers for an 08 everything should be right, however it could be possible that the distance between the forks where the spacers go changed in 08??

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Opunui]

With out the spacers does you're axel go in.so you have 25 mm axels now with 25mm bearings correct? Are you looking for the inside diameter or the length of the spacer. Here is what I do.i center the wheel on the axel with the brakes in place,pads on the rotor then mike out the distance from each side of the hub to the fork.

Make sure you have the correct spacers.

 

[PapaKonkel]

Yes. Axle goes in fine... all 25mm. I'm talking about the length of the spacers.. left to right installed. I could try measuring and getting custom sized spacers. I just thought that wouldnt be necessary since I have the appropriate kit. I was more worried that something else might be causing them to fit tightly such as a bent fork. They are in place now, but they seemed really difficult to get in place. At first I thought it was due to the powder coat on the lowers, but that wasnt the issue.

 

[PapaKonkel]

Additionally, Im concerned that if they are too tight they will cause my forks to flex out. This would not only cause them to not function properly but will also wear out my fork seals.

 

[Opunui]

Yes unfortunately we machine all our spacers.i know you don't have that luxury.but there not hard to do by hand. You need .010-.025 clearence between the spacer and fork to prevent the forks from being mis-align with no binding of internal components. So when you toque down the axel bolts your applying force in the right direction.

With all said and done you have to be able to turn the spacers by hand before you tighten the axl up. If not take a little bit off.

 

[PapaKonkel]

Thanks Opunui. Guess its back to square one on this thing. Was hoping it would go smoother.

 

[Opunui]

It's not hard try and take off the excess by hand..sander,grinder,lathe,hacksaw..etc

 

[PapaKonkel]

The 2010 axle spacers length is 1.010" on both sides. (#41901-08)

The 2007 is .965" on left w/ notches and .885" on right.

Does this sound right. If this is right, theoretically I should be able to get the spacers lengths for a 07 and be pretty close. Does anyone know if the bearing to bearing (outer) distance is the same. Im talking about the thickness of the two bearings plus the inner spacer.

 

[Opunui]

From the inner race of the bearing to the inside of the forks?

 

[Opunui]

You just need to set the rim up in the forks and then mike out your spacers so your brakes don't bind when you torque down the axel.

 

[PapaKonkel]

Sounds good. Except I dont have the brakes yet.

 

[Opunui]

Don't do anything till you get your brakes on.then shim the pads equal distance. Then and only then measure for your spacers.

Aloha,

 

[PapaKonkel]

Thanks much Opunui. Will do

 

[Opunui]

How's the weather!

 

[PapaKonkel]

72 and sunny. Everyone is riding but me..lol