Hi Guy's,

I just went out and measured the hole the Rear axle nut sets in and it's 2" (51.5mm) dia. This would be perfect for a dress up hole cover made of black ABS plastic or nylon. I can't aford one right now so if any one wants to try this idea and share your findings with all the members, that would be wonderful. This would give the area a more finished look.

Just one more thing...A person could also paint the hole plug to match the color of the Honda swing arm. Easy to do.

Wouldn't you be concerned with trapping moisture in there if you put a cap on it?

No, It would not be a water tight seal. Water would get in and then it would leak out. I was thinking of, when I get some extra cash, Turning a cover out of aluminum and sealing it with 2 o-rings. Leaving the bottom open for screwdriver tip removal and water dranage or what they call in the big world of designing, a weep hole.

Another great idea from Dennis's fertile mind. I did a quick search and found a company in California that makes 2" hole covers from black nylon, in solid and vented designs: http://www.wclco.com/pdf/plastics/110-111.pdf . What I couldn't find is a price list, just a $100 minimum. Anyone out there in the LA area who could check them out?

Hi Bill,

There's a bunch of these companies that make these plugs. What I'll do is call them this comming week and get some engineering samles from them. There are more then happy to send out samples and I'll let you all know if any one of them has the right stuff to be mounted on our Silverwings.

Removed by Opalsboy

My bad -- it's fixed now.

Just a picture of the axle nut hole area that we are checking on to find a cover for. 2" dia and 1" deep.

I just got off the phone with a very nice lady at Alliance plastics and she is sending out some samples for testing.

www.allianceplastics.com

For me, putting a plastic piece over the very mechanical looking axle nut would make the swing arm look, well, plasticky, like something that you'd find on a cheap 50cc Chinese scooter. I like the metallic mechanical look of all the bits and pieces. No plastic cover for me.

In my oh, so humble opinion, I concur with the Bird; as a mechanic, anything that interferes with maintenance or creates a potential trouble situation (the nut rusting on the axle, or loosening off for some reason and not noticed because the observation point has been blinged up instead of farkled) has no place on the SWing; leave the shinola to the Goldwingers, it amuses them.
Pendragon, the prejudiced. :-)

While our friends in the Great White North both make valid arguments against capping the axle hole, I'm all for something that will help keep muck and grit from the threads of such a critical nut. Dennis, if the Alliance cap works out, I'm interested. Farkle or not.

A special hello to Pendragon, by the way; my grandmother was from Hope, BC. which, if I'm not mistaken, isn't far from you. I was fortunate enough to make it up there a couple of times before she left the room.

P/N BP1146A is one of the samples I requisted. Should be interesting.

http://www.allianceplastics.com/mss/mss-pc.nsf/WebEngine?OpenAgent=yes&cmd=query&optwp=yes&optnw=yes&optpc=yes&search=bp1146a&itemdirect=y&itemdirectwildcard=y&keywordsearch=&partsearch=bp1146a&Submit.x=10&Submit.y=9

One of the other things I've been looking at is a nice water proof tube plug for the front axles open end on the right side of the scooter. Yes, that's the open end axle that is open for rain water intrusion when the scooter is on it's side stand. Is has a nice chrome plated end cap. P/N RPD465336A

http://www.allianceplastics.com/mss/mss-pc.nsf/WebEngine?OpenAgent=yes&cmd=query&optwp=yes&optnw=yes&optpc=yes&search=rdp465336a&itemdirect=y&itemdirectwildcard=y&keywordsearch=&partsearch=rdp465336a&Submit.x=10&Submit.y=11

Hello, Roadrunner, I'm about 50 miles or so from Hope, but as they say, past that is beyond Hope :-) Just a thought; if a nut cover costing all of about 20 cents to produce would have contributed to the overall value and operation of the SWing, is it not reasonable to assume that Honda's engineers would have provided one?

Pendragon, the perplexed. :-) :-)

Maybe so. Maybe there's just not enough profit in it for Honda. If it were OEM, it would retail for at least $9.95. Honda's better than most, but they ain't perfect.

If I remember right, beyond hope is the Fraser canyon, one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen.

Hello Dennis, how about a nice black rubber cork? It would do the job quite nicely, keep out the water, and keep in the grease. BTW, it would work well in salty air environments too. Once again I wonder why Honda didn't provide this feature, but then in my years in the M/C shop I haven't seen an instance of corrosion on the front axle if a modicum of grey "Never Seize or other is applied.

Pendragon the profound! :-)

Hi Roadrunner, yup, it's pretty here, but you have some outstanding rides in your country as well; I cherish them all, regards,


Pendragon

Hello Dennis, how about a nice black rubber cork? It would do the job quite nicely, keep out the water, and keep in the grease. BTW, it would work well in salty air environments too. Once again I wonder why Honda didn't provide this feature, but then in my years in the M/C shop I haven't seen an instance of corrosion on the front axle if a modicum of grey "Never Seize or other is applied.

Pendragon the profound! :-)

Modicum.

I love that word.

Pendragon rocks!

Well, Alliance Plastics sent me three to mess with. I painted one to match the scooter' swing arm. The fit is excellent. Snug but can be removed with finger nails.

Now a few pictures. First picture is cover fit and no paint.







I have 2 left over, one is promised, who wants the other? You will need to pain yours or leave it natural.

I'll take it if it isn't already gone!

Bill, You got it.

I'll drop it in the mail as soon as you send a PM with your address. It will not be painted. So have fun with it.