Atlas swinging arm bushes

If the bike has been riden some distance, with a loose Swinging Arm Spindle, you will probably find that the inside of each frame sideplate has now got an area ground away that matches the bush end. If this is not too bad and the swinging arm is not rubbing, on the frame, then tightening the spindle nuts may save the day. Don't overdo these nuts or they will snap the spindle end off.

There is supposed to be a spacer between the two S/A bushes. This may have been omitted during a rebuild or collapsed due to corrosion.

On my Atlas I inserted a washer to take temporarily up the wear that I discovered on my frame midway through a 2000 miles tour of Europe. As the S/A spindle had elongated the spindle hole, during the next major rebuild, I had all the damage welded over and then dressed back to size. If you need to go down this route remember to make a template of the S/A hole position.

The outer ends of the bushes shouldbe slightly proud of the swing arm bush tube and the frame should be a close fit to butt up to the ends...even before tightening the bolt. Easiest way is to remove the bolt and slip in a thin washer or shim at each end and retighten the bolt/nut when the swing arm is set half way up its full travel (shock absorberrange wise)..... A quick testto see if the swing arm bushes are not being pushed in and are being held firmly is that the swing arm should remain horizontal without the shocks fitted. and always return to this position if the arm is moved by hand up and down...Les

I would be very suspicious of a missing spacer between the bushes. When I first started on Nortons I discovered that was the case with my 99. The result was a snapped swinging arm spindle from an over-tightened nut 400 miles from home. Didn't do the handling a lot of good, especially 2 up with luggage.