Forks

[Dlandbob]

I had to ask before I do anything else.

I have my front wheel off and I was holding the forks and they moved a lot, way too much even though I have no clue if they should have play or not. So I was looking at it and I noticed that the big bolt that holds them on to the frame was sticking out and I have never noticed that before. I guess before my bike is never up on a jack. So I was able to turn it at least 20 times before I got it snug. I imagine that because it was always on the ground the bolt would be up and I wouldn't see that or feel the play. Does this sound right or make any sense to anyone?

Thanks,

Bob

 

[chacha]

That was way not right, should never have been that loose.....do a search on "forks" and there you'll find the procedures for correctly tightening that nut.

 

[MARV]

should be a set screw in the back of the bottom tree

 

[Dlandbob]

Marv, what is the set screw for?

 

[kmalysa]

I had to ask before I do anything else.

I have my front wheel off and I was holding the forks and they moved a lot, way too much even though I have no clue if they should have play or not. So I was looking at it and I noticed that the big bolt that holds them on to the frame was sticking out and I have never noticed that before. I guess before my bike is never up on a jack. So I was able to turn it at least 20 times before I got it snug. I imagine that because it was always on the ground the bolt would be up and I wouldn't see that or feel the play. Does this sound right or make any sense to anyone?

Thanks,

Bob

WOW! That's why we need to totally inspect these bikes often. That was a wreck waiting to happen! Not only does that hold the triple tree to the frame, it sets the preload to the neck bearings, If the neck bearings are not preloaded and set with the rear set screw, it could possibly fail (balls fall out), and you could have the steering lock-up or get so sloppy, you would loose control. Every time I clean my bike I have my hex wrenches and sockets out and randomly look for loose nuts and bolts. Recently I found my top motor mount bolt was totally missing! Vibration has a way of working fasteners loose! Or if you use a mechanic, he might forget to tighten something!
Glad you found it before something bad happened!

Ken

 

[Dlandbob]

WOW! That's why we need to totally inspect these bikes often. That was a wreck waiting to happen! Not only does that hold the triple tree to the frame, it sets the preload to the neck bearings, If the neck bearings are not preloaded and set with the rear set screw, it could possibly fail (balls fall out), and you could have the steering lock-up or get so sloppy, you would loose control. Every time I clean my bike I have my hex wrenches and sockets out and randomly look for loose nuts and bolts. Recently I found my top motor mount bolt was totally missing! Vibration has a way of working fasteners loose! Or if you use a mechanic, he might forget to tighten something!
Glad you found it before something bad happened!

Ken

You are so right and I am lucky that I noticed this. I guess this is a good lesson for me. How tight should I tighten the net bolt, does anyone have the specs, I can't find anything.

 

[Bmarchant]

Here is a list someone did a while ago from the service manuals.

Torque specs

Air cleaner to carb 10-12 ft-lbs
Air cleaner to head bolts 8-12 ft-lbs
Ball ramp cover bolts 35-40 in-lbs
Brake caliper mount bolts 25 ft lbs
Brake rotor mount bolt 50 ft lbs
Cam cover bolts 120 inch-lbs
Carb to manifold bolts 18 ft-lbs
Engine drive sprocket nut 150-165 ft-lbs - Red Loctite
Exhaust flange bolts 60-80 in lbs
Forward control mount 25 ft lbs
Front axle 45 ft lbs
Front axle pinch bolts 12 ft lbs
Inner primary bolts 15 ft lbs
Inspection cover bolts 9 ft lbs
Intake flange bolts 16 ft-lbs
Lower triple tree pinch 16 ft lbs
Motor mount bolts 35 ft-lbs
Neutral switch 10-15 ft-lbs
Outer primary bolts 9 ft lbs
Primary fluid 32 oz
Pulley cover bolts 18-20 ft-lbs
Pulley nut 50 ft-lbs + 40 degrees
Rear pulley bolts 60 ft lbs
Rear axle 55-65 ft lbs
Rear fender strut bolts 25 ft lbs
Rear shock mount bolts 100 ft lbs
Spark plugs 18 ft-lbs
Tappet screen plug 120 inch-lbs
Transmission drain plug 7-9 ft-lbs
Transmission main / clutch hub shaft nut 80 ft-lbs - Red Loctite
Transmission mounts 45 ft-lbs
Upper engine mount to cylinder 35 ft lbs
Upper engine mount to frame 45 ft lbs

 

[kmalysa]

It's not how tight you make the bottom neck bolt, its a preload for the bearings.
You need to do a test called 'Fallaway'. Search the threads, but it is pretty much this...

Lift the entire bike and mark the center of the front tire or fender. Rig something in front of the tire like a ruler on a stool that is close to the tire as possible. Loosen the lower tree pinch bolds and the set screw behind the bottom trilple tree, Aim the handle bars to center, then tap lightly to each side and it should have some resistance for (1"-2", in either direction), before it simply falls to each side. Make sure clutch and brake cable to no interfere with the test Do left and right several times. and check against the ruler. The Bottom neck bolt (The one that almost fell out on you), Needs either tightended or loosened, until the resistance from center to each side is approx 1"-2", then falls all the way to each side. Then tighten the rear set screw to correct ft/lbs (I think 16ft/lbs????? better check on that one!!!!), then retiighten bottom tree pinch bolts to 16 ft/lbs