Need a good mechanic in South Florida

[bluesman46.2009]

Hi All

I had new rear wheel bearings installed at a local dealer for my 86 GW( I took wheel to them). I have tried to put the rear wheel back on myself but I cannot get it right! Most of the dealers here in Miami are terrible! Does anyone know of a good mechanic that can work on the older Gold Wings?

Thanks and happy holidays!

Bluesman 46

[WingAdmin]

It's really tough finding a decent mechanic that will still work on the old bikes. What's the problem you're having with getting the rear wheel on?

[bluesman46.2009]

Hi Thanks for the reply

I cannot get the wheel to center properly. I am not sure why. I was a mechanic in the army and a shade tree hot rodder but this thing has whipped me! I have done the following repairs since I bougth the bike last Jan. with no trouble replaced the timing belts, fan switch,fuel pump,exhaust.shocks all filters and had no trouble with the 2 manuals I bought but this has me stumped!

When I tighten the axle nut it pulls tire to far to the right side. If I put a screw driver in the hole to hold the axle from moving thru the swing arm it will bend it. It is as if the old spacers are not correct with the new wheel bearings that the dealer installed? Or I have something else wrong? I spent about 8 hours messing with this several months ago and just do not want to fool with it any more.

Any ideas?

[WingAdmin]

Wow, it's bending the screwdriver? How much torque are you applying to the axle nut?

Sometimes you have to install the pinch bolt and tighten it down a bit to hold the axle in place before tightening the axle nut, to prevent the axle nut from spreading the left swingarm pinch arms open and pulling the axle through.

Here's an exploded diagram of your rear wheel - see if you have any spacers missing (click for full size):

GL1200 rear wheel exploded diagram

[raycw]

Sounds like you might have lost the spacer that goes into the final drive.
To be sure you'll have to pull the wheel again. This time look into the center of the final drive (where the axle goes through it) and make sure there is a metal spacer in the middle. If you stick your finger into it and wiggle it should pull out. You'll notice (if it's there) that one end has a machined end….. that goes INTO the final drive from the wheel side.

You're description is just like leaving out this spacer. Hope you find it!! It's gotta be somewhere around your garage.

[bluesman46.2009]

Thanks to all. I will give it another go over the xmas weekend. Maybe I am due for a xmas miracle and I can get back on the road!

[blu boy]

there is a guy in melborn they say is a "wing wizzard" somebody said if he cant fix it it dont need to be fixed. ( from steve saunders site -pm me blu boy in port saint lucie, fl.) OR... e-mail me @ t.blu_53@yahoo.com i'll get his ph number-it is at home i'm at work

[bluesman46.2009]

Thanks blu boy I will email for the guys number.