Fork Leg Spacing

Discussion in 'Technical Help' started by 243jimb, Nov 8, 2023.

  1. 243jimb

    243jimb Member

    Nov 27, 2018
    10
    8
    Canada
    #1 243jimb, Nov 8, 2023
    I have noticed on my 2002 Bonneville that there is a gap of around 1/4" between the wheel hub and the bottoms of the forks when the front axle bolt and nut are removed. The forks effectively splay slightly when the axle is removed. This gets pulled tight when the axle nut is tightened. Has anyone else noticed this? The rear swingarm doesn't have that clearance. I have a front end wobble that I am trying to get to the bottom of after exhausting all other likely possibilities.
     
  2. TRIPLE X

    TRIPLE X Senior Member

    Sep 1, 2021
    455
    213
    Downham Market, Norfolk
    #2 TRIPLE X, Nov 8, 2023
    I have a Speed Triple, not a Bonneville but suspect the procedure is similar for front wheel replacement if you have either 1 or 2 clamping screws at the bottom of one fork leg. Basically one fork leg floats on the wheel spindle until the clamping screw is tightened. The procedure is to replace and tighten the wheel spindle then compress the forks before tightening the clamp screw. This is to ensure proper fork alignment and minimise stiction so that the forks compress freely. After everything is properly tightened you may end up with a gap between the inside of the fork leg and the spacer on one side but this is normal as the spindle has a shoulder which clamps against the spacer rather than the fork leg clamping against the spacer.
     
  3. 243jimb

    243jimb Member

    Nov 27, 2018
    10
    8
    Canada
    #3 243jimb, Nov 9, 2023
    Thanks for your reply. It may be a similar procedure to mine. When I tighten the spindle/axle nut, there is no gap, but when I slacken it off, there is. It just got me thinking if that is the source of my problem.
     
  4. TRIPLE X

    TRIPLE X Senior Member

    Sep 1, 2021
    455
    213
    Downham Market, Norfolk
    #4 TRIPLE X, Nov 9, 2023
    Did you bounce the forks before tightening the pinch bolt?
     
  5. 243jimb

    243jimb Member

    Nov 27, 2018
    10
    8
    Canada
    #5 243jimb, Nov 9, 2023
    Always. It seems strange that they should be splayed.
     
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