KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

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MartinL
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KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by MartinL »

Dear all,

I almost dismantled the 55 KH 500 to the last bolt. Almost....
Just the tie stud of the swingarm cannot be removed. I read on Draganfly that this can only be done by burning out the rubbers :shock:
IMG_2313.jpg

Moreover, I have no clue now how to loosen the footrest rod.
It can't really be witchcraft, but I don't want to use too much force if it can be done with a bit of brains. Can one of you give me a tip.
IMG_2312.jpg
Ariel KH 500 Twin 1954 (Modell 55)
pete.collings
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by pete.collings »

In previous rebuilds, I had removed a swinging arm with a rusted solid shaft by spreading the inside of the frame with a jack, enough to expose the spindle so it could be cut/sawn through, and the swinging arm wrangled out to free it. A somewhat laborous process, and I did have a new swinging arm to use as a replacement. The rusted spindle was eventually removed using a 10 ton press.
If you replace the metalastic bushes, use stainless to make a new spacer that fits between the bushes, I had previously supplied details somewhere on the forum of spacer dimensions.
All this supposes you have, or have access to, engineering facilities!
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simon.holyfield
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by simon.holyfield »

That footrest rod looks bent to me. I'd probably cut it right through the spacer in the middle - these bits are readily available or easily made. You'll then pull out the two halves without damaging the frame or the engine plates.
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Mick D
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by Mick D »

Hi

I removed my FH rusted swinging arm pivot by the following, laborious but successful method:

With the frame laying on it's side and the nuts removed from the pivot pin, liberally soak the pin with penetrating fluid, (I use a 50/50 mix of acetone and ATF). Leave for 24 hours then turn the frame over and repeat from the other side.

Using one of the domed nuts try to get the pin to move by tightening the nut, if it moves half a turn stop tightening and swap the nut to the other side and try to move the pin back again. Keep flooding the pin with penetrating fluid as you go.

Gradually increase the amount of movement on the pin as you draw it from side to side being careful not to draw it so far as to be unable to fit a nut to the other side to return it, the pin will get easier to move. When you think the pin is moving fairly easily try to move it by hitting the domed nuts with a soft hammer. If you can't move it with the hammer go back to jacking it back and forth with the nuts and lubricating until it can be.

When the pin is moving fairly easily start fitting spacers to one side to increase the amount it is withdrawn, not too many just enough to extend the withdrawal degree and still allow the pin to be tapped back in again. Keep gradually extending with spacers, (washers, nuts, sockets, tubes), with drawing then tapping back whilst continuing to flood with fluid until you feel brave enough to withdraw it the whole way.

It's a good workout :) and as long as you can get the pin to move initially it will work. I was lucky and able to retain the bushes :)
SA Elastomeric.png
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The pin was cleaned up as was the spacer, (in situ), and re-used too.

You could try the same method on your footrest rod but if Simon is correct and you footrest rod ends are bent, I'd straighten or remove one end and then draw it through if possible rather than cutting the spacer.

Good luck Mick
MartinL
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by MartinL »

simon.holyfield wrote: Sat Feb 22, 2025 9:14 pm That footrest rod looks bent to me. I'd probably cut it right through the spacer in the middle - these bits are readily available or easily made. You'll then pull out the two halves without damaging the frame or the engine plates.
Thanks Simon.
But what is the regular way to remove the rod if it would be new and ideal?
Can´t find at Draganfly or in a spare parts catalog the screw with toothing outside (picture, red arrow). So I´m not absolutely sure how the connection actually is. I assume it is a bolt screwed onto the rod.
Or is it another kind of connection between the rod and the bolt?
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Ariel KH 500 Twin 1954 (Modell 55)
MartinL
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by MartinL »

Mick, Pete,
Thank you for your suggestions.
Before I use a destructive method, I think I will try Mick's method.
I also often have good results when dissolving material by heating. Maybe I will do a combination of penetration fluid and heat.
Martin
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Mick D
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by Mick D »

Hi Martin

The splined bush you have arrowed above is welded to the frame tube, the long footrest stud just slides out, (or it would if not corroded or bent).

Regards Mick
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Roger Gwynn
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by Roger Gwynn »

New bosses are available should you damage that one.
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MartinL
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by MartinL »

Mick D wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 6:30 pm Hi Martin
The splined bush you have arrowed above is welded to the frame tube, the long footrest stud just slides out, (or it would if not corroded or bent).
Regards Mick
Hi Mick.
Thanks for the information and the correct term (splined bush) for this part. I had no idea how to translate it from "Verzahnung" into English :D
That makes more sense know.

Regards Martin
Ariel KH 500 Twin 1954 (Modell 55)
MartinL
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Re: KH 500: loosening the footrest bolt

Post by MartinL »

Roger Gwynn wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 7:01 pm New bosses are available should you damage that one.
Great. thanks for the information.
Ariel KH 500 Twin 1954 (Modell 55)
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