Rear wheel stiff to turn

[clanadam]

I asked this in the FZ6 forum but nothing back there so trying in here as well :-)

Not sure if I have a problem with my 2004 FZ-6 or not. When on the centre stand the rear wheel felt very stiff to turn by hand. I took the wheel off and cleaned up (took out and scrubbed) the chain adjusters etc which were all crudded up after a couple of winter's use   


I regreased the axle and put it all back together and was hopeful it was sorted as all felt good before I tightened the axle nut up. It is now better than it was but is still stiffer than I think it should be. The rear pads definitely aren't binding so any ideas what could be causing this to stiffen up? The chain is also not too tight - tested with bike off centre stand as well and it's still got some play in it.


It feels fine to ride but I'm not happy it isn't spinning as freely as I think it should - any ideas?

[hightower]

Here's my silly response, but who knows eh.


You're not missing any spacers between the wheel and swing arm? Also, your rear axle isn't bent?

[Paul]

I found out that my rear sprocket carrier bearing had disintegrated last weekend.


Might be a good idea to take the wheel off and check each of the two wheel bearings and the sprocket carrier bearing.

[unfazed]

Easiest thing to do first is to remove the caliper and see if the wheel spins freely.

If it does spin freely overhaul the caliper.

If it does not spin freely, grab the wheel top and bottom and try and rock it.
If you can it's the bearings

[clanadam]

Cool will try them thanks guys

[reddave101]

If the wheel tightens up after torquing the wheel nut then you'll find the wheel bearings are shot which does happen after riding in winter due to salt on the roads eventually getting into the bearings. Cheap and easy enough to replace all the bearings, wheel and sprocket. And whilst at it I would also replace the front ones aswell. Good idea to strip the rear brake caliper and overhaul that aswell..