The rear axle and a hammer...

Ok guys.. the chin adjuster seized so I decided to take I apart..

Took off the exhaust, broke the axle nut (with some great force and effort), removed the brake caliper and then I was stuck...

The sprocket would not come off..

Using a piece of wood and a lump hammer (and a few days soak with penetrating wd40) and a few wacks eventually the sprocket came off.. wahoo!

The unfortunate part is I am now stuck here..

I got a bigger wood and a bigger hammer and have given the axle a few more belts but nothing.. not a budge.

Iam stumped.. any suggestions?

Are you following the Service Manual (downloadable from this site)?

I haven't taken the rear hub off a VFR for a few years and I can't remember any differences from the 5th Gen, but I thought you needed to remove the brake disc assembly?

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

3 hours ago, Skids

Are you following the Service Manual (downloadable from this site)?

I haven't taken the rear hub off a VFR for a few years and I can't remember any differences from the 5th Gen, but I thought you needed to remove the brake disc assembly?

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be along soon.

Yes sir.. I have it done along with the manual.. I believe that it has corroded on as the full sprocket should slide off and the axle should slide out!

What you are dealing with are the negative effects of of corrosion...

mainly due to riding in the rain or hitting your prize with a garden hose...

both acts promotes corrosion in all the little nooks and crannies

hidden from view... The pitfull is that metal is etched for life...

Your axle is probably frozen at the wheel bearings due to corrosion
from either rain riding or washing your bike with a garden hose... if
the rubber hammer fails then you need more force like a large steel
hammer... to protect the axle and threads source a hard wood block or
plastic... installed the nut backwards so the flange faces you...
strike the wood / plastic against the nut... the force to budge the
axle maybe extreme so be prepared for the bike to move about... also
be prepared for the axle to propel free in a shot... having a second
body helps to control the reaction to the hammer force... after the
axle is out check to make sure the wheel bearings are still seated in
their place... a little grease will prevent this from happening
again...

Heat helps... always tackle disassembly after a ride when all the parts are

up to temp... working with room temp parts is more resistance...

[image: VFRAxleCorrosion.JPG]

[image: P1013415.JPG]

[image: Pat16RC3001.JPG]

2 hours ago, BusyLittleShop

you are dealing with are the negative effects of of corrosion...

BusyLittleShop you legend. Got the bugger off. Put the nut on, gave it a belt and bing bang boosh! Lots and lots of corrosion.. the inside of the sprocket looking not so good nor the axle itself.. any tips to clean these bad boys?

Also you nailed it on the head.. I use this bike year around and also washed it down a couple times with the hose

Next part is to remove the caliper mounting plate.. also wont budge!! Wahoo

[image: image.jpg]

[image: image.jpg]

Glad you got it (at least partly) sorted!  :beer:

I know it was a pig to get out but that doesn't look anywhere near as bad as I thought it would look like. 

Should clean up a treat.

How are your cush drive rubbers looking? mine (@ 80k miles) needed replacing, made gear changes much smoother.

Seems kinda barbaric to whack it with hammer. Is there way to use some kind of press or gear-puller to extract?

Walker1, 7/17/2021 at 11:58 AM

BusyLittleShop you legend. Got the bugger off. Put the nut on, gave it a belt and bing bang boosh! Lots and lots of corrosion.. the inside of the sprocket looking not so good nor the axle itself.. any tips to clean these bad boys?

1 hour ago, DannoXYZ

Seems kinda barbaric to whack it with hammer. Is there way to use some kind of press or gear-puller to extract?

Barbaric hammer blows would not be needed if owners would stop hitting their prize with a garden hose... it's tantamount to bike abuse...

Or if they followed the service schedule & removed cleaned & repacked the rear axle.

Normal rear ends get stripped every time you change a tyre., just like your front wheel. But SSSA don't, they should get stripped & cleaned every 2-3 years & then they wouldn't need a hammer !

interesting thread which I have bookmarked for future use, I have had my 4th gen nearly 5 years now and the previous owner "recommissioned" the bike after a long layoff and everything that I have had to do has been great as he did what he actually said he did, mine is a nice dry only bike unless I get caught out in rain so hopefully I will not have this trouble but I have not done this job yet, when I adjusted the chain it was as smooth a silk to do, again thanks to the previous owner, maybe a job for the winter, thanks to LittleBusyShop for the photo description

3 hours ago, scottbott

interesting thread which I have bookmarked for future use, I have had my 4th gen nearly 5 years now and the previous owner "recommissioned" the bike after a long layoff and everything that I have had to do has been great as he did what he actually said he did, mine is a nice dry only bike unless I get caught out in rain so hopefully I will not have this trouble but I have not done this job yet, when I adjusted the chain it was as smooth a silk to do, again thanks to the previous owner, maybe a job for the winter, thanks to LittleBusyShop for the photo description

You're welcome...

daved, 7/20/2021 at 5:59 PM

How are your cush drive rubbers looking? mine (@ 80k miles) needed replacing, made gear changes much smoother.

The cush drive rubbers look ok; they are not longer attached together but gave the general area a good clean up and put them back in! Wandered what they affected!

BusyLittleShop, 7/21/2021 at 6:35 PM

are my axle care notes

Much appreciated!

BusyLittleShop, 7/21/2021 at 6:51 PM

tantamount to bike abuse...

Guilty as charged! I suspect a sponge and bucket may be a better option..

Mohawk, 7/21/2021 at 9:27 PM

then they wouldn't need a hammer !

Learning more and more! This is an adventure.. one that may not need a hammer again 😝

12 hours ago, Walker1

Much appreciated!

Guilty as charged! I suspect a sponge and bucket may be a better option..

You're welcome... 

Looking for options??? try Busy Little Shop's 3 step method of bike cleaning:

 1) At the end of day soak a soft wash cloth in HOT water and remove
bugs and road grime... repeat as necessary and keep the rag HOT...

2) Apply Meguiars detailer mist to a soft rag and then to fairings and
gas tank and buff to a shine...

3) Apply a little gasoline to a soft rag and degrease chain and
magnesium wheels... Meguiars wheels to a nice luster...

After 20 years and 62,000 miles of perverted highway I've never once
hit Mr.RC45 with a garden hose... to me it's bike abuse because it
promotes corrosion in all the little nooks and crannies...

Mohawk, 7/21/2021 at 1:27 PM

Or if they followed the service schedule & removed cleaned & repacked the rear axle.

Normal rear ends get stripped every time you change a tyre., just like your front wheel. But SSSA don't, they should get stripped & cleaned every 2-3 years & then they wouldn't need a hammer !

BusyLittleShop, 7/21/2021 at 10:51 AM

Barbaric hammer blows would not be needed if owners would stop hitting their prize with a garden hose... it's tantamount to bike abuse...

Seems like design oversight on Honda's part. A little groove for O-ring or labyrinth seal would really go long way to preventing this issue.

I'd guess that the design reviews never considered that these bikes would still be going down the road nearly a quarter century later.  A unique lot us VFR owners are.  

Mohawk, 7/21/2021 at 9:27 PM

Or if they followed the service schedule & removed cleaned & repacked the rear axle.

Normal rear ends get stripped every time you change a tyre., just like your front wheel. But SSSA don't, they should get stripped & cleaned every 2-3 years & then they wouldn't need a hammer !

Rear end has never been touched on my bike, 23 years!! it's only had 3 tyre changes in all that time.