Fork bolts

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Thu Jul 28, 2016 10:01 pm

The ones at the bottom, for holding the axle.
I took the wheel off and now have a shiny new Michelin PR3 on it.
I thought the pinch bolts felt too stiff when i loosened them, so bright spark here had the idea to remove them and apply a bit of copper grease.
The first one came out with a fight. The thread has some aluminimum stuck it in. Oh dear!
The second one fought me back and snapped. Leaving part still in the threaded part. Oh how i laughed!
As it happens, i have a better set of forks to put on it, but that was planned for winter along with a few other jobs.
So, how important are they? Will the universe implode if i ride the bike without them in?

No Ronnie Barker jokes okay, that was Fork handles!

Britisherspy · Post by **Britisherspy** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 9:58 am

I wouldn't be riding the bike without the fork pinch bolts in, the one that's snapped you need to get it out or take it somewhere for someone else local to get it out. The spindle is held in by the bolt at the end but the fork bottom could travel a bit left to right.

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Fri Jul 29, 2016 10:33 pm

Thanks. Im going to put the wheel back on and give it all a good wiggle.
See how it is without those bolts.
I will have to just find time to get the other forks on it. They are already painted and whilst im at it i will try the handle bars above the yoke for a change.

Britisherspy · Post by **Britisherspy** » Sat Jul 30, 2016 6:36 am

Neil178 wrote:Thanks. Im going to put the wheel back on and give it all a good wiggle.
See how it is without those bolts.
I will have to just find time to get the other forks on it. They are already painted and whilst im at it i will try the handle bars above the yoke for a change.

Pretty easy to change the forks over once the fronts off the ground. You need a big spanner for the ball joint.

I took mine off and stripped and resprayed them recently.

Neil178 · Post by **Neil178** » Mon Aug 01, 2016 5:58 pm

Thanks mate.
Im going to hold fire just now until i have time and do the full monty with the Ramlever jobbie as well. I have a spare one to send off this week.
The front engine cover is corroded so i may as well sort that out and change over the original alternator belt whilst I'm there.
I have a different set of headers and a funky exhaust system to try. The Italian tripple set up!
It should be ready by Xmas, but im not saying which one!