Rear disc brake caliper

I'm a newbie and 69 yoa,  located in Coeur d'Alene ID and have been riding for 57 years. I bought a Silverwing new in 2002 and still own it. Life consumed me so I only put 3k miles on it in 20 years. I had a couple brain surgeries and I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer any more. I changed out the tires, a novel in itself.
The problem is when I put the rear wheel back on the rear caliper will not bolt up.  I have a service manual, which I've spent hours in, I've had the wheel off and on mamy times trying to figure out my error.
Everything goes back together except the rear caliper and parking brake is 10mm away from the swingarm. The bolts will not reach them. What am I doing wrong?
I tried to post photos,  but couldn't figure it out. Thanks

Hello Doc. Welcome to the forum.

Kinda hard to help you without seeing a photo of the wheel, swingarm, and caliper. Unfortunately this forum format won't allow anyone to post a photo unless they have a minimum number of posts (4-5-6?). So hang around for a few more beers. Chat with us a bit and you'll get there.

Meanwhile you might use the Search function to see if your issue has come up before.

Just a thought: there are two spacers on the rear axle. The long one goes ON between the wheel & swingarm --the big end at the wheel and the small end fits into the swingarm inner bearing seal. And the small spacer goes into the swingarm outside bearing seal --then the washer, then the nut.

Have you got the calipers on the wrong side of the mounting brackets? Just a thought...

Cosmic_Jumper wrote:

Hello Doc. Welcome to the forum.

Kinda hard to help you without seeing a photo of the wheel, swingarm, and caliper. Unfortunately this forum format won't allow anyone to post a photo unless they have a minimum number of posts (4-5-6?). So hang around for a few more beers. Chat with us a bit and you'll get there.

Meanwhile you might use the Search function to see if your issue has come up before.

Just a thought: there are two spacers on the rear axle. The long one goes ON between the wheel & swingarm --the big end at the wheel and the small end fits into the swingarm inner bearing seal. And the small spacer goes into the swingarm outside bearing seal --then the washer, then the nut.

When I pulled the wheel,  I layed all the parts on a piece of cardboard and labeled them. I put them back in order and discovered my issue.  I ordered a service manual, and ten days later studied it for hours. Nothing. The rotor needs to move to the right (curb side) 10mm for the caliper to bolt to the swing arm.  Is there a spacer on the left (street) side of the rear wheel that has disappeared?  That is the only way I can think for the wheel/rotor to move to the right 10mm.

There is no spacer between the wheel and the belt case / transmission. The wheel fits firmly against the transmission.

Does the (right side) swingarm fit onto the larger spacer, i.e. the one between the wheel and swingarm?

Does the wheel slide freely on the axle splines?

Is there something hitting the tire causing the wheel to not slide all the way onto the axle?

Does the swingarm fit properly against the swingarm pivot?

Test fit: Assuming the swingarm fits properly to the pivot, does the brake caliper fit the Silverwing rotor if that larger spacer is left OFF the axle?

This video might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bO3UTARbvwc

HOO-RAY!!!

Glad you got it sorted. Something to remember for next time. I reckon all of us DIYers have learned the hard way.