Drill bit to hold the front axle
Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
Drill bit to hold the front axle
Does anyone know when Harley stopped telling us to use a 7/16th drill bit to hold the front axle while tightening the axle nut?
The '85 manual says use it and the '91 doesn't.
I was just wondering if anybody knew when they changed.
The '85 manual says use it and the '91 doesn't.
I was just wondering if anybody knew when they changed.
Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 691
Likes: 4
From: H-TOWN TEXAS
I haven't saw in in the manual , but the way I read it in an online manual is.....
With pinch bolts loose. Torque axle nut to 50-55 ft lbs while hold a screw driver into axle preventing the axle to turn. Insert 7/16" drill bit into axle hole and pull fork leg until it makes contact with drill bit then torque pinch bolts.
The only sense that can be made of this method is to keep the hole in the axle flush with outer edge of the fork leg. However IMO I don't see pulling or putting sideways pressure on the fork leg a proper procedure. I would just keep doing the way you have been.....the way it has worked.
With pinch bolts loose. Torque axle nut to 50-55 ft lbs while hold a screw driver into axle preventing the axle to turn. Insert 7/16" drill bit into axle hole and pull fork leg until it makes contact with drill bit then torque pinch bolts.
The only sense that can be made of this method is to keep the hole in the axle flush with outer edge of the fork leg. However IMO I don't see pulling or putting sideways pressure on the fork leg a proper procedure. I would just keep doing the way you have been.....the way it has worked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,873
From: Upstate New York
seems pretty weird to me to do it that way. I've always tightened the axle nut, holding the axle end with a screwdriver, them tightened the pinch bolts on the right fork leg. That way, the fork legs aren't under any side load-and why would you want them to be?
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Thread Starter
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Dirt don't hurt
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 21,065
Likes: 4,561
From: Haslet Texas
I have no intention of trying it with a drill bit.
I was just curious that is all.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Indiana
I do too but, my computer is double posting as well........