Hitchcocks Forum

Does anybody have an inside measurement between the cast mounts on these frames. The spacers/thrust washers I've just recieved seem too wide, meaning I have to pump the frame apart nearly an inch to get the swing arm to fit. I can turn them down to suit if I have a measurement to go by. From what I can measure on an Indian frame it appears about correct without spreading the frame. Even a centre/centre measurement between the cast mounts would be close enough.

I'll have a look at mine tonight Norm, but its the other type of 53 frame. From memory it did involve some minor spreading to get the swinging arm in.

Norm, you have to spread the frame, the Factory even offered an expander tool for this job. I just happen to have my frame on the living room floor as it's just back from the blasters (my wife is very understanding!) and it measures 8.25 inches as best I can measure between inside faces of the cast plates. Some frames are tighter than others in my experience. Note: you should also have a pair of rubber collars to cover the edges of the thrust washers, I think these may not be in the parts book.
REgards, Mark

Thanks Chris and Mark. I got mine back from the blasters on Friday and it is now painted in 2 pak gloss black and looks a treat. No problems spreading it, easily done with threaded rod through the frame and wind it apart, I just didn't want to spread it too much. Bit of grey area around these frames. The Meteor has the rubber covers but I didn't get these from Mr H mainly because I didn't see them in the books. Thanks for pointing this out.

Twenty nine inches........ooops sorry that's the old inside leg measurement. Sorry.

I fitted the swing arm today but as I expected the chainstay bearing stud is 1/2 an inch short.It is 9&3/8 inches long which I believe is the longest one. Swing arm clears each side of the frame by 1/4 inch so that all looks correct.This also means the centre stand spacers will be wrong, I can live with that, but it is the bearing stud which is the main concern.Any thoughts?

Norm, my spindle (chainstay bearing stud) also measures 9&3/8ths. I've measured a later type one (post 56) and that is 10" long so longer ones are available. Are you sure you have A) the correct swinging arm and B) you have fitted the thrust washers the right way round? There should be a recess on the inner face of the washer that fits over the outer spindle sleeve.
REgards, Mark

Thanks Mark, interesting that the later frame has a longer spindle, 10 inch would work out fine.All I got was a frame and swing arm with no bushes or spindle and I can only assume it is the right swingarm for the frame. The washers fit into the frame no problems but the distance collar doesn't fit into the recess in the washers and is held apart by 1mm. This would only account for 2mm but I'm 15mm short of the stud coming to the face of the swingarm nuts

Norm, something's not right, obviously. Have a look at the Parts Books Online here, the swing arm should look like the one for the 1953 500 Twin.
REgards, Mark

Thanks Mark, I have looked and looked but can't see the problem it is the bearing tube not fitting into the recess in the washers not as I described before, but that still only accounts for 2mm in total if the thrust washers were hard up against the swingarm. They may possibly pull up if I tightened the nuts up but I don't have enough thread on the stud to try this. I'm discussing it with Allan but we don't have an answer either