Forwards and back play in rear wheel.

I have a KZ900 with Drum breaks on the rear. I have about 1/4 in play in the rear wheel before it stops moving or moves the chain. The rear sprocket does not move just the wheel itself.

I have yet to tear into it to take a look at it but I was going to ask if that could possibly be caused by bad Shock Dampers? If not that what could be causing this?

If I need to replace the rear wheel its not a problem just need to find one.
Any information you have would be greatly appreciated.

I'd pull the rear wheel out and check the bearings and rubber "Cush" drive.

www.goallballs.com sells replacement bearings.

Normal wear and tear...

What MFolks said.

Alright I will do that at some point before I go ordering parts like crazy next Friday.

Thanks a lot.

I would definitely fix the problem before you ride the bike. ANY movement in either of the wheels can KILL you. This is no laughing matter. Weather you have movement in the wheel bearings or the swing arm bearings, both situations are potentiality deadly.

Well I guess I should be specific so people don't get the wrong impression.

The movement is in the rotation of the wheel. I know the wheel should not move at all when the chain is locked in place. Even with the chain locked in place I can move the wheel freely for about 1/4 in work of travel.
The wheel does not wobble side to side or move forward and back if you shake the wheel. All extra movement that shouldn't be there is all in the rotation of the wheel.

WELL that makes a big difference. That movement is absolutely normal on older bikes. That is just ware in the rubber cushions that connect the drive hub to the rear wheel. If it annoys you there are two ways you can fix that. The correct way which is also the expensive way is to replace the cushion(s). Since you have a 900 they should be separate but are sold as a set. This will cost you about $50
www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=22

Or you can put rubber shims into the gaps, that you can cut from an old inner-tube.

There is a rubber damper thing on the wheel that the sprocket mounts into. Play is no big deal, I don't see any need to worry at all.

otakar wrote:

WELL that makes a big difference. That movement is absolutely normal on older bikes. That is just ware in the rubber cushions that connect the drive hub to the rear wheel. If it annoys you there are two ways you can fix that. The correct way which is also the expensive way is to replace the cushion(s). Since you have a 900 they should be separate but are sold as a set. This will cost you about $50
www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=22

Or you can put rubber shims into the gaps, that you can cut from an old inner-tube.

50 bucks is nothing compared to everything else I need to pick up to really get my bike running like a champ.

I will probably replace the bearings and maybe have someone do the spokes for me. But the spokes can wait till I need new tires.

Can hardly wait to hear later report if newly installed dampers allow same 1/4" wheel movement. :ohmy: :laugh: :laugh:

Good Fortune!

Well how is that at all helpful Patton?

Krusty_47 wrote:

Well how is that at all helpful Patton?

I can't speak for Patton, but I also would like to know if replacing the cush or "shock damper" with a new one eliminates the play. This would be good info for all of us who have that 1/4" of play because if a new damper results in the same play perhaps we should not use shims/whatever to eliminate it. Personally, I'm betting there is still play with a new damper; the question is "how much?" Ed