Front Axle Installation Tip

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Front Axle Installation Tip

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Harley Davidson >> Do It Yourself Help Forum >> Chassis, Suspension, Brakes, and Front End/Controls >> Front Axle Installation Tip

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Front Axle Installation Tip - 12/12/2005 6:03:17 PM

HDF Tech

Posts: 14559
Joined: 5/14/2005
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Re-Installing The Front Axle

Gadget

This question seems to come up quite a bit on various motorcycle forums: "Do I tighten the pinch bolt and then the axle bolt or the other way around?"

The simple answer is, axle bolt first and then the pinch bolt. This will ensure the axle has been pulled all the way through both forks before being locked down on the (for Vulcans) right side.

The CORRECT way which takes just a few more minutes is as follows:

To ensure your fork tubes travel up and down smoothly without one being slightly higher than the other, tighten the large axle nut to the manufacturers spec but leave the clamp bolt loose.

With the wheel butted against something solid (wall, garage door, cabinet...) repeatedly pump the front end up and down as far and fast as you can both pushing and lifting on the handlebar at least half a dozen times. DO NOT use the front brake because the calipers clamping on the disks might prevent the legs from centering themselves. This procedure will align the fork tubes for the smoothest possible operation.

When you're finished with the above tighten the pinch bolt to specs and go ride with your forks riding at exactly the same height, possibly for the first time ever.