Suzuki 2 Strokes

Something goofy I discovered when I popped out my rear wheel bearings. They were turning roughly and figured they needed replacing. The bearing spacer came loose when the bearings moved and when I got them out, the hub was full of aluminum shavings getting in the bearings and all over in there. Not sure what to call it but in the spacer center, there is a steel ring around it I guess to keep it centered. Problem is it's a good 3- 5mm smaller than the hub diameter and has worn a groove inside the hub causing the shavings. What's up with that??

This sounds strange to me as well... The ring is there to keep it from falling out of position so the axle can be slid through... With the axle in, the ring should never contact the hub.. I also didn't think that with the ring it could move far enough out of the way for the axle to be slid through without going through the spacer...

This is a good one....

I found a few loose spokes while cleaning the wheel and tightened them up a bit. Only thing I can figure is that maybe the spokes being loose would cause the spacer ring (and axle) to move enough going down the road to hit the inner part of the hub???

What I said above doesn't make any sense to me either. Just measured the axle and the spacer. The spacer I.D. is 3mm larger than the axle O.D. so what's happening is when installed, the spacer is not centered and therefore is rubbing inside the hub. Do you suppose someone had the wrong size spacer in there????

Do you suppose someone had the wrong size spacer in there????

I'd almost bet the ranch on that supposition, Doug. The PO probably grabbed a spacer that was "close" and maybe machined the ends down so it would fit axially and threw it in. The axle is usually a loose sliding fit in the spacer.
A proper spacer can be made quite easily as you can see it's not a complex piece of work. Most of the "centre-washer-style" spacers use an 18 or 20 gauge washer that is broached to leave a little lip on one side. It's then slid over the spacer body with no welding at all.....just a press fit on the spacer OD.

That's the only thing that makes sense to me. There is actually one on fleabay for $8 I found. Thanks.