Grooves in Wheel Spacers
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,289
Likes: 22
From: Beautiful Downtown Burbank
Grooves in Wheel Spacers
There have been several threads over time about orientation of wheel spacers, and whether the grooves go toward the wheel or away. I did a little experimentation on my own and I thought I’d let everyone know what my findings were. The service manual gives no reference to the spacers and which way they go.
The first time I had the wheels off for new tires, I didn't pay any attention to the spacers. When I went to put it all back together, I noticed grooves cut in one end of each spacer. I did a search and got conflicting statements to which way they go. Most saying it makes no difference. So I put everything together and ended up with a growling sound coming from the wheels when I went into a hard corner. Knowing what little I do, the sound resembled excessive side loading of the bearings while cornering. Since I’ve been doing some wheel work recently, I figured this was the time to investigate this further.
When the spacer grooves are pointed away from the wheel hub, the growl is intense, no matter which way you’re cornering. You can feel the growl in the grips. When one spacer gets turned around, the growl is more noticeable turning one way and not so much in the other. If the rear wheel is affected, you can feel it in the frame, transmitted up through the seat. When the grooves are oriented inward, pointing at the axle hub, theres no noise and no vibration while cornering.
I’ve mic’d the spacers and cant find anything different, so I understand why some say theres no difference bout how they go in. There IS a difference, however subtle it may be.
The first time I had the wheels off for new tires, I didn't pay any attention to the spacers. When I went to put it all back together, I noticed grooves cut in one end of each spacer. I did a search and got conflicting statements to which way they go. Most saying it makes no difference. So I put everything together and ended up with a growling sound coming from the wheels when I went into a hard corner. Knowing what little I do, the sound resembled excessive side loading of the bearings while cornering. Since I’ve been doing some wheel work recently, I figured this was the time to investigate this further.
When the spacer grooves are pointed away from the wheel hub, the growl is intense, no matter which way you’re cornering. You can feel the growl in the grips. When one spacer gets turned around, the growl is more noticeable turning one way and not so much in the other. If the rear wheel is affected, you can feel it in the frame, transmitted up through the seat. When the grooves are oriented inward, pointing at the axle hub, theres no noise and no vibration while cornering.
I’ve mic’d the spacers and cant find anything different, so I understand why some say theres no difference bout how they go in. There IS a difference, however subtle it may be.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,553
Likes: 17
Thanks for the info. I have my wheel off right now. I paid attention to the grooves when I disassembled, but the weird thing is I have a groove on the small spacer only. The spacer for the primary side has no groove. I don't know what's up with that, but if I get any growling I know to swap it around -- thanks again.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,123
Likes: 1
From: Dallas TX
noticed mine yesterday when i was putting my fender back on i have groves on both spacers and they are facing out away from the bearings, my wheel has never been off the bike and i have never noticed anything while cornering. But i will be puting a duce solid wheel on soon and ill try them the other way just check it out. My 06 street bob did not have any groves in the spacers so i just cant see what difference it would make.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,938
Likes: 4
From: NC
There have been several threads over time about orientation of wheel spacers, and whether the grooves go toward the wheel or away. I did a little experimentation on my own and I thought I’d let everyone know what my findings were. The service manual gives no reference to the spacers and which way they go.
The first time I had the wheels off for new tires, I didn't pay any attention to the spacers. When I went to put it all back together, I noticed grooves cut in one end of each spacer. I did a search and got conflicting statements to which way they go. Most saying it makes no difference. So I put everything together and ended up with a growling sound coming from the wheels when I went into a hard corner. Knowing what little I do, the sound resembled excessive side loading of the bearings while cornering. Since I’ve been doing some wheel work recently, I figured this was the time to investigate this further.
When the spacer grooves are pointed away from the wheel hub, the growl is intense, no matter which way you’re cornering. You can feel the growl in the grips. When one spacer gets turned around, the growl is more noticeable turning one way and not so much in the other. If the rear wheel is affected, you can feel it in the frame, transmitted up through the seat. When the grooves are oriented inward, pointing at the axle hub, theres no noise and no vibration while cornering.
I’ve mic’d the spacers and cant find anything different, so I understand why some say theres no difference bout how they go in. There IS a difference, however subtle it may be.
The first time I had the wheels off for new tires, I didn't pay any attention to the spacers. When I went to put it all back together, I noticed grooves cut in one end of each spacer. I did a search and got conflicting statements to which way they go. Most saying it makes no difference. So I put everything together and ended up with a growling sound coming from the wheels when I went into a hard corner. Knowing what little I do, the sound resembled excessive side loading of the bearings while cornering. Since I’ve been doing some wheel work recently, I figured this was the time to investigate this further.
When the spacer grooves are pointed away from the wheel hub, the growl is intense, no matter which way you’re cornering. You can feel the growl in the grips. When one spacer gets turned around, the growl is more noticeable turning one way and not so much in the other. If the rear wheel is affected, you can feel it in the frame, transmitted up through the seat. When the grooves are oriented inward, pointing at the axle hub, theres no noise and no vibration while cornering.
I’ve mic’d the spacers and cant find anything different, so I understand why some say theres no difference bout how they go in. There IS a difference, however subtle it may be.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,212
Likes: 212
The spacer grooves are there so the plant worker can identify what length spacer he/she is grabbing out of the parts bin. They serve no purpose other than that.
Their primary function is just as a spacer. I've got dozens of custom length ones I lathed up out of aluminum stock that work just as well as factory. Don't be overthinking it.
Their primary function is just as a spacer. I've got dozens of custom length ones I lathed up out of aluminum stock that work just as well as factory. Don't be overthinking it.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: Meridian, Idaho
The spacer grooves are there so the plant worker can identify what length spacer he/she is grabbing out of the parts bin. They serve no purpose other than that.
Their primary function is just as a spacer. I've got dozens of custom length ones I lathed up out of aluminum stock that work just as well as factory. Don't be overthinking it.
Their primary function is just as a spacer. I've got dozens of custom length ones I lathed up out of aluminum stock that work just as well as factory. Don't be overthinking it.
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