Reversing the rear axle for ease of removal?

[Evo160K]

The megaphone mufflers I installed recently look like they may partially block the rear axle (softail) when I need to remove it.  Is there a safety or functional reason not to reverse the axle?  Thanks very much.

[Coyote]

I ran mine reversed on my 01 softail. Keep it anti seize coated and I wouldn't worry.

[04 SE DEUCE]

  Finally gave in a couple years back on the Deuce and reversed it,  because of muffler interference.  Most bikes I've owned have the rear axle nut on the right side.  Should have done it on first tire change.  Rick

[Alter]

My indy reversed the axle when he put my whitewalls on for me. It would make roadside and just regular maintance simpler with the axle flipped and not having to drop your exhaust to pull the axle out, but now getting a torque wrench in there to torque the axle, there just isn't enough room on my heritage to torque it properly so I have to tighten it by feel. Thats the only con I have come across with having a flipped axle

[cheetah]

No problem. Revesed mine at first tire replacment.
C

[Ohio HD]

Reversing will work perfectly, as the direction of the axle means nothing to the bearings, etc. The only possible down side would be if the bearing(s) were to lock, could the axle turn and unscrew the nut? Maybe, maybe not. I never could understand why HD didn't use a cotter pin or retaining pin.

[harleyfarmer]

OhioHD, my 2000 FXDX had a castle nut with pin through it. I thought all axles had one. Interesting. Think I'd drill a hole and add one.

[Ohio HD]

I think it must depend on the year of the bike. Early years had nothing, my two late models have a circlip at the end of the axle. But would be to late to keep the nut from loosening. Just may not fall off.



Brian

[JC 92FXRS]

I reversed mine...works fine, asked here about this a couple of years ago. Certainly, saves pulling the mufflers.
FWIW, I've never seen a stock Harley axel without a castellated nut and cotter-pin....'course I've haven't looked at 'em all. 
Cheers, Jeff

[truck]

my two late models have a circlip at the end of the axle. But would be to late to keep the nut from loosening. Just may not fall off.
Brian

That's all you really need, just keep to the axle form sliding out.

[Ohio HD]

I reversed mine...works fine, asked here about this a couple of years ago. Certainly, saves pulling the mufflers.
FWIW, I've never seen a stock Harley axel without a castellated nut and cotter-pin....'course I've haven't looked at 'em all. 
Cheers, Jeff

I think most all HD's prior to somewhere in the Evo string, were without any means to hold the nut.

[Ohio HD]

my two late models have a circlip at the end of the axle. But would be to late to keep the nut from loosening. Just may not fall off.
Brian

That's all you really need, just keep to the axle form sliding out.

Definitely much better than nothing, that would be for sure.

[Jim Bronson]

You just need to make sure you apply the anti-seize in the opposite direction.

(Is it too early for levity?)

[dakota224]

No problem. Revesed mine at first tire replacment.
C

Mee Too   

[Tsani]

I reversed mine...works fine, asked here about this a couple of years ago. Certainly, saves pulling the mufflers.
FWIW, I've never seen a stock Harley axel without a castellated nut and cotter-pin....'course I've haven't looked at 'em all. 
Cheers, Jeff

I think most all HD's prior to somewhere in the Evo string, were without any means to hold the nut.

Nope, not true at all. My pans and shovels used a cotter pin. Stock factory axles.

[Evo160K]

Thanks one and all.  I'm going to flip it.  Not sure yet how to deal with the torque issue Alter mentions.  I have the usual cotter pin and castle nut, so to get the holes to line up should get the torque real close. 

[Ohio HD]

I reversed mine...works fine, asked here about this a couple of years ago. Certainly, saves pulling the mufflers.
FWIW, I've never seen a stock Harley axel without a castellated nut and cotter-pin....'course I've haven't looked at 'em all. 
Cheers, Jeff

I think most all HD's prior to somewhere in the Evo string, were without any means to hold the nut.

Nope, not true at all. My pans and shovels used a cotter pin. Stock factory axles.

The aftermarket axles mostly had a castle nut. All of the OEM axles that I remember were a standard nut, with a lock washer, like these OEM axles are shown.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-HARLEY-DAVIDSON-KNUCKLEHEAD-PANHEAD-REAR-AXLE-RIDGID-FRAME-STAR-HUB-/280942617097?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item41697c2209&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Harley-Davidson-FLT-Touring-REAR-AXLE-/130749200993?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e71427a61&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/86-Harley-Davidson-Sportster-3-4-REAR-AXLE-/200807888292?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec11535a4&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-STOCK-OEM-REAR-AXLE-OFF-HARLEY-DAVIDSON-1975-IRONHEAD-SPORTSTER-/251133481027?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a78b8d043&vxp=mtr

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARLEY-OEM-SPORTSTER-IRONHEAD-REAR-AXLE-NUT-WASHERS-SPACERS-ADJUSTERS-1562-/330780121939?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d04081b53&vxp=mtr

[booker]

my 2000 rk came with a slotted axle nut and carter type pin. i tighten it down snug, tap the pin in. a lot of people would over tighten on this year and crack the axle. and always use anti-size,

[frankieb]

Thanks one and all.  I'm going to flip it.  Not sure yet how to deal with the torque issue Alter mentions.  I have the usual cotter pin and castle nut, so to get the holes to line up should get the torque real close.

george's garage has an axle nut wrench that will slip in there and you can still torque the nut down.

[Uncle Rod]

"Not sure yet how to deal with the torque issue "   
Torque up once without the exhaust on, centre pop each side of castlation the lock pin is to enter. next time you use spanner and tighten up to where centre pops line up, done this for eleven years no probs. you will know if you are one turn out!
Regards Rod

[Evo160K]

Thanks for that, Rod.  I'm gonna do it.

[a_disalvo]

Someone told me the reason the axle is put in from that side is so that if the nut comes off, the axle will stay in place because the mufflers will not let it come out past the axle supports. Just a thought.

[JC 92FXRS]

Actually, I think it's because the torque from the rotating rear wheel will tend to keep the nut tight if it ever became loose...I've never seen the nut budge on mine though, plus there the cotter pin back-up. For sure the axle could only come out to the mufflers though.
jeff

[wayzalot]

Both my FLH and my softail both have castle nuts and cotter pins.  Never thought about reversing the axle.  Duh    Of course on the FLH Ultra it won't help but on the softail I have loosened the muffler quite a bit to remove axle.     Thanks for the enlightenment.