Pre war wheel spindles

[sdr51]

I have a 1937 jap engine 500cc which came in bits.The wheels came together with spindles but I’m not sure if everything is there,locknuts spacers etc,could anyone help with what goes where on front and rear, thanks for any help David Roper

[cottonjo]

Assuming you have the original cup and cone type with loose ball bearings. The cones are threaded to adjust the bearing. Some free play essential. The thin lock nut tightens against the threaded cone. Front wheel fairly straightforward. The rear will need spacing to ensure the rear sprocket is in line with the gearbox sprocket. There are 3 different widths of gearbox sprocket available for the Burman gearbox sprocket., so will depend on what you have. I hope this quick reply helps. Feel free to ask so more if you want.
Good luck
Paul S

[sdr51]

It does have the original cups & cones,the front wheel has one cone with flats on it the other is plain I’m not sure why.The spindle has a shoulder on one side adjacent to the end of thread,I’m not sure what this is for maybe to lock one cone against it and then adjustment is made on the other side there was only one thin locknut.The spindle has a groove on most of the thread on both sides.There were two spacers one 9/16” the other 9/32”

[sdr51]

I’ve just had a look and the front spindle has a groove only on one side not on the side with the shoulder.The rear spindle has the groove on both sides

[cottonjo]

The cone with a flat on is to aid adjustment using an open ended spanner and the thin nut is to lock that nut when adjustment is correct. They will go on the nearside. I am not sure about the shoulder without seeing it, you suggestion may be correct. There is sometimes more thread on the offside to allow for the brake drums. As you were not there to note the spacer sizes during removal it will be a case of assembling and checking dimensions. When assembled the front wheel should be in the centre of the forks, the rear wheel is dictated by alignment of the 2 sprockets. The rear wheel should also be in line with the front wheel. I have found that the inexpensive laser levels are ideal for checking this. I am not sure if the groove in the spindle is to take a "C" spanner to hold it whilst turning the other nuts. Sometimes there is a washer with a tab that locates in the groove. I have found using 2 nuts locked together on one end of the spindle a useful way of holding it whilst turing the other nuts.
God luck
Paul S

[davemassam]

The cone without flats goes against the shoulder on the right hand side of the wheel.  This to ensure that if the cone tries to tighten the wheel does not progressively lock.  The groove on the left side of the spindle is to take the washer with the tab on the inside diameter.  This washer fits between the left hand adjustable cone and the lock-washer to help prevent the cone tightening when the lock nut is tightened.  As mentioned above, some bearing slack felt at the wheel rim is essential.

Spacers and washers are often required to place the wheel central although the brakeplate fit in the forks often dictates where the hub wants to be.  If necessary the rim might need to be moved across on the hub.

Good luck.  

[sdr51]

Thanks for the information that all makes sense now, I presume then the grooves on rear spindle are for the same reason a lock tab between cone adjuster and locknut.

[davemassam]

Not a lock washer, they're normally too thick for that.  It's just a washer to help prevent the cone tightening as you nip the
lock nut, the lock nut won't undo far anyway because the fork gets in the way (assuming you remembered to tighten the wheel nut).

[sdr51]

Thanks for the details