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Some friends and I are trying to figure out what the grooves are for on the front wheel spacer. This is for a 2018 street glide but they’re all the same. Any ideas?
I don't know what the reason is for them , but the service manual calls for them to be installed with the grooves outwards on the axle.
Actually the topic came up because my friend had his front tire changed by a Harley dealer and when they remounted everything the grooves were on the inside. They told him it didn’t matter which way the spacer was positioned but yes, the manual says they should be on the outside. Then we started wondering what the grooves were for.
Aerodynamic wind reduction. Adds .05 MPH and .003 MPG to your scooter..........
Actually, I have wondered this myself and swear I'm going to mic them out next time I have the wheel off my 03 RK just to see what is different, if anything.
I have not inspected many spacers... but over the years, here is what I have been told...
1) The groves correspond to the spacer size... allegedly helps with assembly process...
2) The groves mark the end of the spacer with a slightly different chamfer than the other end.
3) The grooves should always be facing outboard of the wheel.
4) If you have an ABS bike, the index pin in the spacer needs to face outboard the wheel.
Of those 4 things, I have been able to verify numbers 3 & 4... I still don't have any confirmation on numbers 1 or 2...
I have seen references to 3 & 4 in both a service manual and exploded parts diagram....
Service manual.. (I saved it, but forget which service manual, too lazy to look it up again):
"Be sure that grooves on external spacer(s), or index pin onfront wheel speed sensor (if ABS equipped), are on the outboardside. If motorcycle is not ABS equipped, external spacerson left and right side of wheel hub are interchangeable."
Parts diagram:
Last edited by hattitude; Jan 2, 2022 at 12:54 PM.
my post isn't about bashing any of the info I'm presenting here... I'm trying to understand why.
Just performed my 25k and I needed to put new boots on the bike (front and back). Before I touch anything I take pictures, cause I have the retention of a ...oh I forget
and as you can see previous works on my bike have resulted in the spacer being installed the incorrect way around (I had Axeo's installed by an indy @ 20K)
Having done 19K on this used bike, with that spacer that way around, its appears to have been running fine IMHO
the 2017 service manual CLEARLY states "Install outer spacers (2) with grooves on the outboard side" and also shows it in Figure 3.4
Ryan Urlacher's handy Youtube vid even shows it the incorrect way!
I appreciate we can all make mistakes....but, does this particular spacer REALLY matter if its run the other way around?
and lastly item 4) If you have an ABS bike, the index pin in the spacer needs to face outboard the wheel.
what is this index pin you mention?
both my ABS spacers are curved in a particular direction, that meant they would only go back on one way. Which I assume is the correct way
anyone got a closeup pic of this index pin mentioned?
Originally Posted by hattitude
I have not inspected many spacers... but over the years, here is what I have been told...
1) The groves correspond to the spacer size... allegedly helps with assembly process...
2) The groves mark the end of the spacer with a slightly different chamfer than the other end.
3) The grooves should always be facing outboard of the wheel.
4) If you have an ABS bike, the index pin in the spacer needs to face outboard the wheel.
Of those 4 things, I have been able to verify numbers 3 & 4... I still don't have any confirmation on numbers 1 or 2...
I have seen references to 3 & 4 in both a service manual and exploded parts diagram....
Service manual.. (I saved it, but forget which service manual, too lazy to look it up again):
"Be sure that grooves on external spacer(s), or index pin onfront wheel speed sensor (if ABS equipped), are on the outboardside. If motorcycle is not ABS equipped, external spacerson left and right side of wheel hub are interchangeable."
There is a reason the service manual states that these spacers go a certain way and i am not about to risk my life over thinking the design. My spacers are in the correct direction.
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