rear wheel freezing on final drive

There are many hours that have gone into my '83 KZ1100LTD since I got it back as a pile of parts from a very, very naughty shop who was hired to swap shift forks (no, I didn't whack the forks). Many wouldn't believe what they took apart, which is a story for another day.

So, in the final stretch of restoration, readying for a first run tomorrow, all together...I am putting the rear wheel back on. Headed up to the FSM 101 ft-lbs torque in the rear axle nut, with a piece of heavy PVC extending the bar side to fix it in place and working up on the nut, I hear a "click" or "clack" kind of like something adjusted in the holding rod or pipe alignment.

Well, the 101 ft-lbs comes to bear and lo and behold, the wheel hub is TOUCHING the final drive. There is no motion.

My thinking is this: I have collapsed something in that final drive. I think this because when I look at the wheel assembly (including bearings, spacer, brake, and swing arm everything is 100% contact. The only place I see it isn't (again FSM) is the final drive.

I am sure glad this didn't happen on the road. Need advice. Is the FSM 101 ft-lbs overrated, like 87 would do? Any ideas what may have "popped?" FSM shows a snap ring, paired oil seals, etc.

Anyone else had this happen?

Wildly, would the final drive off a 2001 Mean Streak fit? Got one in the garage and it looks oh-so-close. The axle bolt matches diameter and thread but is longer for that wider swing arm. Thinking I just might check the measurements and splines tomorrow.

You can go to kawasaki.com and look at the expanded parts diagrams. It will make your life a lot easier if you remember that. There's a tutorial around here somewhere telling you how to access them.

Meantime I'm going to post a pic from there, and hope it helps.

Rear drive:

Wow :ohmy: ....and it doesn't get any easier than a shaft drive bike See if you're missing a wheel spacer on the right side of the axle. If you are and you've tightened the axle nut as much as you say you have, you may have done damage.......

I stand humbled. Nothing broken or cracked, specs checked, bearings/gears/cases/swingarm are sound. I was missing a singular piece. :silly:

What I did was "misplace" (thanks to a mini-nephew) then forget (all me) the 85mm spacer between between the final drive and wheel. This results in approximately 2 mm flex and the wheel touching the final drive. When relaxed and properly reassembled, no stress in positioning or fit.

Note to self: got lucky this time. Memorize the FSM.

Good that you found and fixed it!

Bet you don't do that again