Should I be able to push a scooter

[chenige]

My son and I just finished fixing up a 1980 Suzuki FZ50. We were getting ready to push it to the garage from the basement when I see that the rear tire does not turn freely. If we push it with nobody on it the rear tire skids. If we sit on it and push it the rear wheel turns but I believe we are also turning the crank and the piston. The brake is not the issue because I can pull the brake lever and then the rear wheel locks right up.

We did take the crankcase cover off and replaced the kick starter shaft and kick starter.

Is it normal for the rear tire to do this?

[mountainmoped]

It should turn freely. Either the clutch is binding or something is wrong in the gear housing.

[chenige]

Thanks, I guess we tear the cover off and see what we did wrong.

[chenige]

OK, it is finally warm here.

I took the crankcase cover off and the piston does not move when we turn the tire, which is correct. So we put the cover back on and tightened. The piston again turns when we turn the tire.

I find that if we leave a very small gap, maybe 1/16", between the crankcase and the motor it works right. As soon as we tighten that little bit the piston turns with the rear tire. I played with all the shafts that go into the crankcase cover but saw nothing wrong.

What could it be?????

[SunnieBell]

did you checked the belt or chain, whatever you say it. May be something stuck in it.

[chenige]

I, ahem, assembled it wrong. washers/spacers were in the wrong order and the manual does show what order they should be in. A little difference in order made a big difference in working.

[John]

Hey, we have all been there. The 1/16 gap would have been the tell tale. Happy motoring!

[freeriders]