I had a little bit of lateral play in my sprocket so had the sprocket bearing replaced. It reduced but didn't eliminate completely the free play so I mounted up the tire and have ridden it maybe 4 times in the last month. When I went to lube the chain, it seemed louder and a little less smooth when spinning the wheel than I recalled. In peering down from above, it seemed like there was a gap between the axle "flange" and the wheel that I also didn't remember ever seeing. I could be being paranoid, it wouldn't be the first time, but imagining something going wrong with the rear wheel is unsettling.

I took off the wheel and took a couple pics looking down at it that I hopefully will be able to post (I know, it's filthy). You will see it has a couple grooves that go around the circumference.
So my question is whether it is normal for what I assume is a spacer to stick out as much as it does, about 3 mm to flush with the seal (see pics attached). The spacer on the other side also has about a 2mm gap. Both are wedged in pretty tight and it seems to me the spacer on the other side used to come out pretty easily. I had the thought to try to tap them in with a rubber hammer but I wanted to ask if that was warranted and advisable. I've been known to make bad situations worse in this arena. I would really appreciate some help, as I don't feel like I should ride it until I know if this is normal and, if not normal, have gotten it fixed.
Thanks,
Jim

http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/duclad/media/IMG_0388_2.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2

http://s1221.photobucket.com/user/duclad/media/IMG_0392_1.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
_________________
-Jim
'93 MC21

Jim,

Make sure your rear axle is adjusted equally on both sides of the swing-arm. If the sprocket is cocked at an angle to the chain line it will run rough, make more noise than normal and cause premature wear to your chain and sprocket. Also ,make sure you have enough slack or freeplay in the chain so it does not bind up when you rotate the wheel by hand ,with the wheel off the ground.
I checked my rear wheel and my spacers stick out as much as the ones in your photos so I think this is normal. The spacers are a tight fit but should come out of the bearing with some very light tapping. Make sure they are clean as any dirt in between them will take up the space and create an interference fit making them difficult to remove. Hope this helps.

Hey, thanks a ton for taking a look at your MC21; it helps enormously to know that the collars aren't necessarily supposed to be flush with the seals. They are both in there pretty tight, but I think I will gently try to pry them out and clean out the area. I wouldn't be surprised if there was some dirt in there that is making things even tighter. Good to know though that I should not try pounding them IN! Thanks again!
Jim
_________________
-Jim
'93 MC21