Fork tubes are turning while riding...?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
I know someone whose pinch bolt broke and the front end collapsed when he was riding... (he didn't realize the bolt was broken). If I'm not mistaken, those bolts are NOT grade 8 bolts so you might want to replace them if you are going to tighten them beyond spec.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 41
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From: Petaluma Ca
Well, the lower triple clamp is the important one...and the pinch bolts are what holds your front end in proper placement. The top ones are only there to locate everything and should NOT be bearing the weight of the bike. If you have been riding this way for a while, I would take a very careful look at all the parts before just tightening and riding away. The top tree may be cracked, the neck bearings may be toast...etc etc. Check everything well. If you lucked out this time...torque that lower pinch bolt (triple clamp, not axle), and check the alignment of your front wheel, axle, neck, and bars. They could easily be tweaked now.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,784
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From: Boston
Shhhh. Some people refer differently to parts of the bike, hence why I asked.
Everything seemed fine. Ill recheck though.
Good idea, since I didnt use a torque wrench.
I had the bearings checked by HD last year and they were good. I thought they were seated incorrectly because it looked off after I had the trees powdered. They did the fall away test and it was good.
I think shes going to go in for a total check this winter.
Yep, pinch bolt is on the bottom triple tree right where the fork passes through it. Sounds like it needs to be tightened. First though, I'd remove it to be sure it isn't broken before you tighten it down. They do have a history of snapping off inside. I've seen it a few times and read about it on here as well.
Well, the lower triple clamp is the important one...and the pinch bolts are what holds your front end in proper placement. The top ones are only there to locate everything and should NOT be bearing the weight of the bike. If you have been riding this way for a while, I would take a very careful look at all the parts before just tightening and riding away. The top tree may be cracked, the neck bearings may be toast...etc etc. Check everything well. If you lucked out this time...torque that lower pinch bolt (triple clamp, not axle), and check the alignment of your front wheel, axle, neck, and bars. They could easily be tweaked now.
I think shes going to go in for a total check this winter.
Last edited by jcallesano; Jul 7, 2014 at 11:52 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 9,741
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From: Danbury CT
[quote=jcallesano;12956615]Shhhh. Some people refer differently to parts of the bike, hence why I asked.
Well when you posted "Its fact that the tubes are moving not the blinker.
Pinch bolts are on the bottom arent they, below the axle?", I thought it would be better for someone that knows the parts of a bike a little better to fix it. Having the tube rotate & thinking the pinch bolts were below the axle is a little scary. I assume the bolts you were referring to were the axle clamp nuts on the bottom of the right fork tube. Since they are only on one side it's a give away they don't hold both forks in, just the axle. I wasn't trying to be a wise guy but sometimes it is better to step back and have someone that knows assist you.
Well when you posted "Its fact that the tubes are moving not the blinker.
Pinch bolts are on the bottom arent they, below the axle?", I thought it would be better for someone that knows the parts of a bike a little better to fix it. Having the tube rotate & thinking the pinch bolts were below the axle is a little scary. I assume the bolts you were referring to were the axle clamp nuts on the bottom of the right fork tube. Since they are only on one side it's a give away they don't hold both forks in, just the axle. I wasn't trying to be a wise guy but sometimes it is better to step back and have someone that knows assist you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,320
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From: Upstate New York
I've had the left side pinch bolt break on my bike twice now. I won't use a Grade 8 for this, since if it breaks again, good luck getting an EZ-out into a Grade 8 bolt.
I use Grade 5 bolts, but I replace them every two years as part of my routine maintenance. In fact, they're due now, come to think of it.
35 foot-lbs is the correct torque, IIRC. I never use a torque wrench on my pinch bolts because it won't fit under the fork tins on a Heritage. I use the longest box wrench I can get and as much force as a 62 year old man can muster.
I use Grade 5 bolts, but I replace them every two years as part of my routine maintenance. In fact, they're due now, come to think of it.
35 foot-lbs is the correct torque, IIRC. I never use a torque wrench on my pinch bolts because it won't fit under the fork tins on a Heritage. I use the longest box wrench I can get and as much force as a 62 year old man can muster.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Jul 7, 2014 at 12:41 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,110
Likes: 56,613
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Number 2 ( Two ) in the illustration in the "pinch bolt"
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....-STEERING-STEM
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....-STEERING-STEM
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,784
Likes: 6
From: Boston
[QUOTE=golfblues;12956756]
Thank you. Didnt mean to snap like I did. It hasnt moved since I tightened it weeks ago.
I didnt use one either. I know its tight because im strong. LOL
Thank you sir.
Its all set guys. Been good and hasnt moved since I tightened it.
Shhhh. Some people refer differently to parts of the bike, hence why I asked.
Well when you posted "Its fact that the tubes are moving not the blinker.
Pinch bolts are on the bottom arent they, below the axle?", I thought it would be better for someone that knows the parts of a bike a little better to fix it. Having the tube rotate & thinking the pinch bolts were below the axle is a little scary. I assume the bolts you were referring to were the axle clamp nuts on the bottom of the right fork tube. Since they are only on one side it's a give away they don't hold both forks in, just the axle. I wasn't trying to be a wise guy but sometimes it is better to step back and have someone that knows assist you.
Well when you posted "Its fact that the tubes are moving not the blinker.
Pinch bolts are on the bottom arent they, below the axle?", I thought it would be better for someone that knows the parts of a bike a little better to fix it. Having the tube rotate & thinking the pinch bolts were below the axle is a little scary. I assume the bolts you were referring to were the axle clamp nuts on the bottom of the right fork tube. Since they are only on one side it's a give away they don't hold both forks in, just the axle. I wasn't trying to be a wise guy but sometimes it is better to step back and have someone that knows assist you.
I've had the left side pinch bolt break on my bike twice now. I won't use a Grade 8 for this, since if it breaks again, good luck getting an EZ-out into a Grade 8 bolt.
I use Grade 5 bolts, but I replace them every two years as part of my routine maintenance. In fact, they're due now, come to think of it.
35 foot-lbs is the correct torque, IIRC. I never use a torque wrench on my pinch bolts because it won't fit under the fork tins on a Heritage. I use the longest box wrench I can get and as much force as a 62 year old man can muster.
I use Grade 5 bolts, but I replace them every two years as part of my routine maintenance. In fact, they're due now, come to think of it.
35 foot-lbs is the correct torque, IIRC. I never use a torque wrench on my pinch bolts because it won't fit under the fork tins on a Heritage. I use the longest box wrench I can get and as much force as a 62 year old man can muster.
Number 2 ( Two ) in the illustration in the "pinch bolt"
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....-STEERING-STEM
http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....-STEERING-STEM
Its all set guys. Been good and hasnt moved since I tightened it.
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