Out for a ride today and felt some rear end side to side movement when either getting on the throttle or leaning into corners. I have thought in the past this feeling was due to the solo seat with its srpings and side to side play but on closer inspection after the ride I noticed the the rear wheel axle was not tightened properly so the wheel was free to move rearward and away from the adjustable stops in the rear drop outs. I have adjusted now as good as I can and it seems fine now when out on another test ride but looking at how the adjustable axle stops work, its seems like kind of a poor design unless I am missing something. The adjustment grub stop screws for the axle just rests up against the front side of the axle stopping the axle from any forward movement BUT I dont see how the axle is limited from rearward movement within the slotted drop outs. Power from the motor and applying the rear brake lever I guess stops the drive side of the wheel from moving rearward but the non drive side is free to move rearwards unless the axle nuts are tightened up super tight from what I can see.
The bike kind of rides like a camel anyways but if the rear wheel axle moves in the drop outs it seems like an accident waiting to happen. Just got the bike 6 months ago so still trying to figure the bike out. Perhaps I am missing something on how the axle is supposed to stay in adjustment and lined up to the frame and front wheel or do we just rely on super tight nuts on the axle to keep things in place?
Thanks ........wayne
Hi Wayne,
This is not just a plunger frame issue. I once had similar feeling on rear end of my A65 but it was just the axle not quite tight enough. I had just adjusted the chain and did not do it up tight enough.
My wife's A10 plunger is the same. So get the axle nuts really tight.
Another issue with the plunger suspension is wear on the pillars/bushes. This is not always easy to detect with the wheel in and the axle tight so check them with the wheel out.
Dave.
Thanks Dave , I will keep an eye on those areas then. Appreciated...........wayne