Spacer for rear mount question

AaronF · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:10 AM

Hey all.The spacer that comes for the rear mount does not fit against the seat tube on my bike,would it be possible to "shim" it down make it a little wider so that it will fit? I don't have any machinery tools of the sort just the basic hand tools drill etc. Any options out there would be great! Thanks

bairdco · #2 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:19 AM

are you saying your seat tube is wider than the clamp?

if that's the case, then yeah, you can grind out the mount to fit. if you've got a drill, you can find grinding bits at any hardware store.

AaronF · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:32 AM

The clamp that goes behind the seat tube fits around it perfectly,the spacer that goes over the rear engine studs does not fit because the frame tubing is a little wider than the center of the spacer.On the spacer,there is very little room to shear or grind off so making it even harder to do so.

Picture at the bottom if your not sure what I'm talking about..Thanks again

bairdco · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:42 AM

here's the big question; do the studs on the engine fit around the seat tube? if they don't, then you'll have to find or make a custom bracket. search around this site, there's plenty of options.

if they do, you should still be able to grind away at the sides of the mount to make it fit.

AaronF · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 02:59 AM

Yes the studs fit right around the frame but for some reason the spacer will not even fit close around the frame.Believe me I've looked through this forum many i mean many times (lol) for different motor mounting options there is a few that fit to my needs but lacking the tools an not knowing anyone that has the tools to customize mounts is getting on my nerves!

Since i joined the forum,its been quite a addictive daily checking routine for me!I noticed that Manic Mechanic finished his mounting kits and are for sale but i don't see them on his website? Thanks Bairdco!

**BarelyAWake** · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 05:00 AM

Yep - I had that exact same problem

Nuthin' a lil dremel time wont fix - grind away! Just be sure to keep it a nicely rounded shape, any flat spots or out-of-round could dent yer seat post a lil under torque.

**Bikeguy Joe** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 09:52 AM

Alternately you can fill the gap with an epoxy product like PC-7 or any epoxy "steel" mix. Not JB Weld, it's too thin.

Mix the putty and put a large gob in the space, with a piece of aluminum (like a soda can) Between the putty and the tube. Put the clamp piece on and tighten just enough to start mashing the putty out and then let it cure until hard, and finish tightening.

No tools required.

**Bikeguy Joe** · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 09:55 AM

I use a thin sheet of lead between the putty and the frame tube, but any thin metal will work.

marioaz · #9 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:33 AM

I used a barrel sander in a drill press to open up and work the rear mount for a perfect fit to the seat tube, and a more level install. Maybe 3-5 degrees carb tilt on a Point Beach.

AaronF · #10 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 01:50 AM

Please don't laugh at me..Well today for about two hours I tried hand sanding down the spacer to a proper fit,it removed some but not much.Next i got the drill out and started using a few different drill bits to act as a grinder after bout an hour of "drill grinding" i got the spacer cut down just a little but it still does not fit around the seat tube! I appreciate the ideas Joe,I'd still rather have a proper fit from using just the spacer itself if i can get the darn thing to fit.

Sorry for asking,is there a actual drill bit to grind things down with? What would you recommend (cheaply) yet reliable? Cheap grinders out there? My drill is my only power tool! Thank you for the advice all.