rear axle insertion chain/caliper side?

Just curious, mine used to be chain side in. Took it for bearing change and mechanic said it was wrong way round. Anyway he had hell of a job getting wheel in, that was last year. Yesterday went to take wheel off and the spindle had to be hammered all the way out. So does it matter which way round it goes. Would it cause damage being the wrong way

It's supposed to be inserted from chain side although I can't see it making a huge difference because there are no shoulders on the bolt.
When you refit the spindle always give it a good smear of engine oil, it stops it seizing.

I don't know if being the wrong way round can do any damage - I suspect not.  The mechanic might have had difficulty getting it out because of corrosion, not because it was the wrong way round...

I would say chain side in as the exhaust would restrict the view and access. As the spindle is smooth and parallel ( when new anyway) it should have no problem going in or out either way.

Hi,

If you look at the Haynes Manual (which of course is sometimes wrong!),
it shows that the axle goes in from the chain side on
the disc model, and from the exhaust side on the drum model.

Having recently changed the rear pads on my disc model CB, I
know it is so much easier to go in from the chain side.  I
couldn't confirm if the opposite is true of the drum version.

Best Wishes,
Jim