Bodmin prep, rear wheel?

Just popped the sv on a paddock stand for the first time to give the chain a proper clean and lube and the rear wheel will only spin for around a quarter to a half turn with me spinning it by hand. Surely it should spin freely to a point?


Might be nothing. Any help appreciated

What happens after that?

Does the chain gather at the top, or the wheel lock or what?

It just comes to a stop. I cant hear anything grinding or rubbing, the wheel just feels tight. Maybe lubing the chain might help

Don't panic mines the same, hamfisted spindle tightening, It'll cause you no dramas, take a half turn off the spindle if your worried but I personally would not bother. It will never spin like a push bike wheel it's too heavy and the chain and front sprocket slow it down!

BTW is this you setting up ready for the inevitable I cant come in the morning?

What, you mean if you just try to spin it it stops or if you keep exerting pressure it refuses to move?


Because if it's the former then I think that's pretty normal, easiest way to tell is when you're moving it around in neutral.

[Mark_h]

Given the GM motto of "Check the simple stuff first" It's not in gear is it?

No when i spin the wheel with my hand and let go the rear wheel stops moving in about a quarter of a turn. I remember my ybr used to spin for something like 6 turns or something haha


@ thunderace What do you mean by spindle

The round piece of metal that goes through the the swing arm and holds the back wheel on (axle)!

But don't worry your 125 span more freely coz it's lighter wheel, chain, sprockets, brakes etc, It takes more force to spin coz its heavy.

I did try to undo the axle nut to adjust the freeplay but i dont have a socket/spanner big enough ...oopsie.


Now that ive just cleaned and powerhosed the chain it seems to spin about half a turn

More live Jammy mechanical action coming up!

[Fallout]

Doesn't sound like a problem to me mate. When you spin that wheel you're spinning against bearings (which are probably old!), chain friction and mass, front sprocket friction, spindle tightness as has been mentioned and your rear brake pads which will be touching. Plus you probably have lilly livered upper body strength!

If you're really concerned you could adjust the chain tension all the way forward, whip the chain off the rear sprocket, remove the rear calliper and then spin it again to check for bearing/tightness only smoothness. But that's way overkill. Don't worry. IT'S FINE!! It's aint broke. DON'T FIX IT!