Fork stem nut question?
Novice
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 15
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There is no torque spec for the top bolt (15/16" btw) on FL type forks. (Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe). The FX bikes (Night Train) use the torque spec. FL adjustments are much easier. The top bolt is barely over hand tight, for the fall-away to be correct. You must loosen the pinch bolt (a torx headed bolt behind the top bolt at the back of the top triple tree) before you can turn the top bolt. But first, you have to loosen the bottom triple tree fork tube clamp bolts-so the triple trees will remain parallel to each other during this adjustment. This is very important.
.
These bolts are behind the tin cover behind the headlight. If you don't, do this, the triple trees will just be "flexing" towards each other, and will adjust and snug up, but won't keep the adjustment long. Do it right, and you'll probably only adjust it a time or two during the life of the bearings. I'm at work right now, so I don't have the actual torque specs for the torx head pinch bolt or the fork tube pinch bolts. but just snug'em up tight and you'll be fine. I wish I were a little more computer savy so I could do a whole write up on this with pictures. There seems to be much confusion on here concerning this. I would really recommend the factory service manual for your bike, it covers this procedure quite well-Glenn.
.
These bolts are behind the tin cover behind the headlight. If you don't, do this, the triple trees will just be "flexing" towards each other, and will adjust and snug up, but won't keep the adjustment long. Do it right, and you'll probably only adjust it a time or two during the life of the bearings. I'm at work right now, so I don't have the actual torque specs for the torx head pinch bolt or the fork tube pinch bolts. but just snug'em up tight and you'll be fine. I wish I were a little more computer savy so I could do a whole write up on this with pictures. There seems to be much confusion on here concerning this. I would really recommend the factory service manual for your bike, it covers this procedure quite well-Glenn.
Last edited by HikerGlenn; Oct 5, 2009 at 11:47 AM. Reason: spelling correction
Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
There is no torque spec for the top bolt (15/16" btw) on FL type forks. (Heritage, Fatboy, Deluxe). The FX bikes (Night Train) use the torque spec. FL adjustments are much easier. The top bolt is barely over hand tight, for the fall-away to be correct. You must loosen the pinch bolt (a torx headed bolt behind the top bolt at the back of the top triple tree) before you can turn the top bolt. But first, you have to loosen the bottom triple tree fork tube clamp bolts-so the triple trees will remain parallel to each other during this adjustment. This is very important.
.
These bolts are behind the tin cover behind the headlight. If you don't, do this, the triple trees will just be "flexing" towards each other, and will adjust and snug up, but won't keep the adjustment long. Do it right, and you'll probably only adjust it a time or two during the life of the bearings. I'm at work right now, so I don't have the actual torque specs for the torx head pinch bolt or the fork tube pinch bolts. but just snug'em up tight and you'll be fine. I wish I were a little more computer savy so I could do a whole write up on this with pictures. There seems to be much confusion on here concerning this. I would really recommend the factory service manual for your bike, it covers this procedure quite well-Glenn.
.
These bolts are behind the tin cover behind the headlight. If you don't, do this, the triple trees will just be "flexing" towards each other, and will adjust and snug up, but won't keep the adjustment long. Do it right, and you'll probably only adjust it a time or two during the life of the bearings. I'm at work right now, so I don't have the actual torque specs for the torx head pinch bolt or the fork tube pinch bolts. but just snug'em up tight and you'll be fine. I wish I were a little more computer savy so I could do a whole write up on this with pictures. There seems to be much confusion on here concerning this. I would really recommend the factory service manual for your bike, it covers this procedure quite well-Glenn.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
I lubed mine with H-D special purpose grease (after the adjustment), and it only took about 1/4 tube before it started flowing out. This is an NLGI #2 type grease, same as it's assembled with at the factory. They say you don't want to mix "soap types" of different greases together, so I just used factory spec. stuff. If I ever disassembled it, i'd probably re-pack it with higher temp #2 type stuff, so it wouldn't ooze on a hot day.-Glenn.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 279
Likes: 1
From: WV
I have an 06 Softail with the 1.5" nut.
I had a front end "clunk" when going over bumps at low speeds. Turned out Harley has a tech bulletin saying the torque on the head bolt was increased to 100 lbs. This was a big jump considering the manual said about half that. I went to the dealer and they showed me the tech note. The clunk is not gone.
Maybe check with your dealer and see if they increased the torque on your's.
I had a front end "clunk" when going over bumps at low speeds. Turned out Harley has a tech bulletin saying the torque on the head bolt was increased to 100 lbs. This was a big jump considering the manual said about half that. I went to the dealer and they showed me the tech note. The clunk is not gone.
Maybe check with your dealer and see if they increased the torque on your's.
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