03 Chopper Front End Issue
- Thread starter roadie1389
- Start date
roadie1389
Well-Known Member
New tire installed MH90, all is good now! Thanks for all the help.
As stated, I do not want my fender brace loaded with a fork lower/higher than the other. This is pretty much a basic application to any front end it's all about static no load and who is higher than the other is the axle float calls the ball.
I fix the one fork [take your pick] and send it home/tightened to spec. I next float the other leg until the front axle flies out of the legs = I push the axle out both holes via a FASTHUMBSHOVE. That tells me I have the static legs suspended, the axle square to the holes, the forks squared to the upper and lower crown; squared to the fender braces = no load.
I install the rim [ignore tire] and measure the wheel in the center of the legs. I now find my spacers by installing a toothpick, break the end where it kisses the inner bearing<-->kisses the fork. I now measure my spacer to the toothpick length = Right spacer [vice-verse] is what side fits where; are my 2 tooth pick lengths?
I now install the axle thru the wheel and forks, drop the front end on the ground, push the forks down, shake the front end, push the forks down one more time, I have freed up any drag the axle was dragging or pulling the one fork at an angle. They now sit static [parallel] as if no axle and wheel in place.
If say the one axle is threaded on one side and the other fork pinches the other axle end with a fork having that slit up the center to leg side, axle tight, on more bounce-twist-bounce so the static is back to before you tightened the axle. Well, the other fork dragged a touch, you shook that out back to static. Tighten front end is the pinch should be the last loose bolt on the front end.
Because I:
1. Sent the one fork up and tightened to spec.
2. I floated the other fork till the axle showed no drag but static in the horizontal.
3. Both forks being tightened to spec I now torque my axle nut.
4. I finish off after the bounce-static-bounce is tighten the pincher on the fork = Done.
Brake caliper:
1. I hand tighten the caliper on the fork leg.
2. I pump the brake pads so they move the caliper squared to that loose hand tightened bolts.
3. I now have the caliper body set in a stationary/floating position as the caliper's pads squares up vertical = Torque caliper bolts.
I fix the one fork [take your pick] and send it home/tightened to spec. I next float the other leg until the front axle flies out of the legs = I push the axle out both holes via a FASTHUMBSHOVE. That tells me I have the static legs suspended, the axle square to the holes, the forks squared to the upper and lower crown; squared to the fender braces = no load.
I install the rim [ignore tire] and measure the wheel in the center of the legs. I now find my spacers by installing a toothpick, break the end where it kisses the inner bearing<-->kisses the fork. I now measure my spacer to the toothpick length = Right spacer [vice-verse] is what side fits where; are my 2 tooth pick lengths?
I now install the axle thru the wheel and forks, drop the front end on the ground, push the forks down, shake the front end, push the forks down one more time, I have freed up any drag the axle was dragging or pulling the one fork at an angle. They now sit static [parallel] as if no axle and wheel in place.
If say the one axle is threaded on one side and the other fork pinches the other axle end with a fork having that slit up the center to leg side, axle tight, on more bounce-twist-bounce so the static is back to before you tightened the axle. Well, the other fork dragged a touch, you shook that out back to static. Tighten front end is the pinch should be the last loose bolt on the front end.
Because I:
1. Sent the one fork up and tightened to spec.
2. I floated the other fork till the axle showed no drag but static in the horizontal.
3. Both forks being tightened to spec I now torque my axle nut.
4. I finish off after the bounce-static-bounce is tighten the pincher on the fork = Done.
Brake caliper:
1. I hand tighten the caliper on the fork leg.
2. I pump the brake pads so they move the caliper squared to that loose hand tightened bolts.
3. I now have the caliper body set in a stationary/floating position as the caliper's pads squares up vertical = Torque caliper bolts.