VF500F Rear Axle Questions - Pitbull TRS

I've been in contact with George at Pitbull about potentially making up some TRS (Trailer Restraint System) pins for the VF500F. If you're not familiar with them, they basically make securing a bike to a trailer about 20x easier and less stressful than traditional methods. It hooks onto the two sides of the rear axle using a set of pins that either go over or into the axle/nut. It's one of those few "overpriced items that are totally worth it"--at least to me.

My questions:
- Is the 1984/85 axle the same as the 1986?
- Does anybody have any pictures of a Pitbull TRS installed on a 2-sided swingarm VFR700/750?

As far as I can tell, the 1984-1986 axle and nut are all identical. At least, they're all identical part numbers on the parts fiches posted on Partzilla. Am I correct in thinking this is adequate due diligence? I don't know of any 1986s I can check.
1986 AXLE, RR. WHEEL = 42301-KE7-000
1984 NUT, RR. AXLE U (16MM)90305-MC0-003

I bought a spare 1985 axle I'm planning to send to them. They asked that I mount it and get a measurement of how much thread is still showing--then set the nut to that depth before shipping it out. I was planning to do this with both the spare I purchased and my existing 1984 axle to verify they're correct.



The part I'm curious about how they're going to do is the axle head since the hex isn't going to be enough depth to get a good clamp on. However, it's got a lot bigger shoulder than my SV650. The width of the adjuster piece is also going to have to be taken into consideration since it'll shorten the axle that much on the other side.

Picture of the VF500F installed axle


Pictures of my SV650 axle with Pitbull adjuster-slider replacement




I know that they've made these for the VFR700/750F. But that axle setup seems a lot similar to the SV than the VF does.


I'm going to try to take measurements of everything I can think of and send them. I wish I could send a whole swingarm as well, but that's just not feasible. I just wanted to see if anyone can think of any "gotchas" that may not be obvious or may make this type of setup not a good idea.

 

Two things I can offer:

84 - 86 VF500F rear axles are identical.

VFR axle is 20mm, VF is 17mm.

 

Three I guess:

If you want to pay for shipping, I will forward a VF500F swingarm wherever you want.

 

Tell you what--if I send out the axle, pictures, and measurements and they still need more information, I'll take you up on that. One of my rear straps came loose on the rear last time I was trailering the bike, and I'm lucky I didn't lose the thing from the trailer.

Thanks for the info on the axle diameters and that 500 84-86 are identical.

 

So basically, you want enough exposed thread to compensate for the 2x thickness of their adapters... I think it's there looking at mine. That nut is pretty thick, even if you don't get flush to engage the "thread lock" of the nut, a proper torque should alleviate any concerns.

OK... bourbon after a killer PNW Fall ride kicking in... Captain 80's out. Time to cook some Friday night burgers!

 

Enjoy the burgers! There's no rush on this project at all. Cheer's Captain.