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I just replaced my front tire on my 09 RK for the first time. When I was putting it back on the bike and ran the axle through, I noticed that the rod didn't extend past the end of the nut. On my past bikes (metrics), the axle would extend slightly past the nut so that I could insert a cotter pin to keep it from backing out. That way, I could leave it loose enough for the front tire to turn easily but not have to worry about it backing off and getting lost.
The only way I can think of securing the nut and still have my tire rotate freely, is to put a drop of blue locktight on it and slightly snug it down. Do you have a different method of securing the nut and axle?
i think you need an owers manual(quickly). after installing the axle though the wheel and before you tighten anything else you need to install the axle nut and while holding the axle from the right side ( though the hole in the end) torque it to 65 ft lbs. then tighten the cap on the right side. you must do this so the bearings, inside spacer and outside spacers on the wheel hub can takeup slack correctly. make installing the brake calipers the last thing you do. never, never, ever leave the front axle nut loose. your life could depend on it. hope this makes sense.
Last edited by hardheaded; Jun 12, 2016 at 09:13 PM.
I know from previous correspondence on HDF that owners manuals seem to evaporate whenever a bike changes hands, however for recent bikes they can be downloaded from the H-D website, just go to the Owners tab. I've just serviced one of my bikes and both the owners and service manuals have essential info in them.
I knew about the two bolts on the right side that you're talking about but when I started this thread, I had forgotten about their purpose. I tightened them down and torqued the nut to 65 lbs but the front wheel wouldn't rotate at all. I had to take the nut off and put blue locktite on the axle threads and tighten the nut snug (but not 65 lbs). I've ridden it several times and there is no sign of it backing off.
Also, I didn't realize my old email address was still in this system. That is why I didn't know that anyone had responded until now. Sorry about that. Updated it.
It wouldn't rotate because you tightened the cap nut first! Then when you tried to tighten the axle nut you put everything in a bind. Sequence is with the cap nuts loose tighten the axle nut to proper torque then tighten the cap nuts being careful to do evenly and DO NOT over torque them!
OK. Tomorrow when I get off work, I'll take it apart again and make sure I do it in the proper sequence. I've got three torque wrenches - one is digital, one is a wand, and one is a clicker style. I used the clicker to do it before. I'll double check it with the digital one. Thanks.
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Tightening Front Wheel Axle Nut
