Front axel bolt and pinch bolts not tight!

[John_Dumke]

I removed the front wheel tonight for the first time (9,000 miles). Time for a new front tire. The front axle bolt and pinch bolts felt only slightly tighter than finger tight.

I read this in another post as well. For new owners it might be worthwhile to check these two items. I believe the two torques are 66ft lbs and 22ft lbs.

I am not sure if this is a factory issue because bikes are often shipped with the front wheel off, allowing the forks of the bike to be bolted to the base of the crate. Then the wheels are put on by the dealer, which was D&H in Alabama. They know the bike and should have torqued items to the proper spec.

So maybe these items just have a habit of loosening up. :dntknw: Something to keep an eye on I guess.

 

[painman]

Actually the pinch bolts on the Gen II bikes on the front are 15 ft. lbs. and the axel nut is 66. When I got my 06 in Apr. of last year the main front axel nut was only holding on by 2 or 3 threads when I got back in my garage from a first little ride around town. I got a free 600 mi. service because of it but it pays to check "all" the fasteners on a regular basis and luckilly I didn't crash out, but those axel pinch bolts would have helped, right? I just did a tire change also and felt the 15 lb. torque was light so I just made them tight by feel that is what felt good to me without over-tightening them. Oh, by the way, when putting the aluminum brake calipers back on the front, make real sure the bolts holding them on are started evenly in the threads because they are aluminum and can cross up real easy. Don't ask me how I know this.....PM. <><

 

[Queensland Ken]

Hi Painman,

It may pay you to go over the bike. My front forks were loose at the tripple clamp as well.

This Forum has a wealth of knolledge and I heeded it, it pays to check the 06/07 Bin-o-Facts.

https://www.fjrforum.com/forum//index.php?showtopic=8660

I've had bad wheel bearings, head bearings, dry drive shaft, and loose motor mounts on my 06.

Regards

Ken

 

[zzzzip]

I'm lazy about checking torque. When I have torqued something to spec, I place a dot from a Sharpie in the 6 or 12 o'clock position on the bolt. Then all I have to do is a visual inspection to see if any dots ever move from position.

B)

 

[TruWrecks]

Blue locktite is your friend on the pinch bolts. Torque to 17lbs and you're good.

 

[mike25]

The day you buy (or the next day), go over every bolt on the bike.

Take stock of your tools, and get the tools needed to do the job. I've built

100's if not 1000's of bikes, and yes **** happens (litterly you need to ****),

and forget to thighten whatever. And yes the guys building the bikes at the

plant also need to ****.

 

[Charlie Hoss]

The front axle bolt on my 05 was tightened by a 500 LB gorirra. Needed a pipe on a 1/2 dr breaker bar to pop it loose.

 

[Rickster]

The front wheel is a dealer installed item.

Here's my '06 AE in the crate: