axle pinch bolts/fork question... helppppp

[minig0d]

Ok so I've been trying to figure out why my axle wouldnt slide all the way into place...

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c303/minig0d/axle1.jpg

note how the axle isnt going all the way through the fork....

so I remove the wheel and try to slide the axle through.... if i flip the axle around the larger end fits through its side no problem.... if i flip it the other way and try to put it through the other fork theres the problem.... I used a digital caliper on the axle and the axle itself hasnt mushroomed any... but aparently the pinch bolts had been overtightened or something and now the opening on the NONexhaust side (the left side) fork is too small to put the axle through.... I can force it through with a mallet without the wheel on but cant force it through with the wheel on.... the forks are in alignment its just that hole has gotten too compressed... anyone have any ideas on expanding it again? I tried using a screwdriver from the bottom and hammering it up to expand it but its just marring the fork not expanding it.... any ideas short of replacing the fork?

[Ritten]

Sell me the bike for $2000 and go buy you an SV650. From there on out, any fork problems you have with the SV I'll personally take care of myself!

[minig0d]

heh thats not a very good solution... how bout I go park it in the middle of the 9th ward and spraypaint BUSA on it.... but fa real helpppppppppppppppppppp

[kenwelshons]

Ok. I don't know if you tried this, but the correct way to install this style axle is...

Slide it in from the non-threaded side. Line it up and clamp it down. Then use the nut on the thread side to pull the forks together with the correct torque on the nut. Most axles are stepped or keyed so that just in case you are a dumbass the axle cannot be pulled completely through the fork from the non-threaded side. You know... just in case you leave the pinch bolts out.

Just a note the pinch bolts cannot be over tightened unless you strip them or break them off. Maybe if you clamped them down all the way with the axle out, but even then I doubt it. If you looked at the axle installed with the bolt tightened down there is still a gap there.

And I assume it was correctly installed before you took it off, so unless you did something to it while it was out it will go back in.

And finally... drive down to your local Yamaha shop and look at one in the shop. It really just sounds like the fork legs are stepped and you are installing it backwards.

Next time take a picture before you take it off...

[minig0d]

ok problem solved

and ken thanks but I did it according to the service manual and apparently I had done everything right I just didn't know it... it isnt meant to go in all the way... but no the fork legs arent stepped... they are both just round holes I felt inside with my fingers...

A guy on the R6 board confirmed his 05's axle sat the same way and measured the entire fork width to prove the axle wasnt even long enough to make it all the way to the far end of the fork so aparently I had it installed right the first time so its all back together and everything is good :)

Thanks :)

*end of thread*

[kenwelshons]

See... take a picture of it before you take it apart next time. I learned that with drum brakes on a ford a long time ago.

And also remember. It's your bike. You can put it back together however you like.

[minig0d]

yes but the way I like to put it back together is the correct one hehe

and just because its assembled a certain way now doesn't mean its the correct one... I've had some morons work on my bike in the past... now I try not to let anyone touch it unless I really cant figure it out... especially since I'm so anal about precision and stuff...

[kenwelshons]

Anal? please... One of our friends buys his motorcycles in the factory crates and assembles them himself. Typically, after disassembling every moving part to make sure it has the right amount of grease and proper type on it. He samples his oil and has it tested at least twice per oil interval. Just to make sure it doesn't break down unexpectedly.

Lightspeed and Friendly have sold him crated bikes to my surprise. Now that is anal.

I don't let anyone else work on any of my bikes. It's my life after all and I am not trusting it to some yahoo who has to get to the titty bar before 6:00 for his steak dinner.

[Ben]

Lightspeed and Friendly have sold him crated bikes to my surprise. Now that is anal.

I don't let anyone else work on any of my bikes. It's my life after all and I am not trusting it to some yahoo who has to get to the titty bar before 6:00 for his steak dinner.

Craig was in Parts...

[minig0d]

Anal? please... One of our friends buys his motorcycles in the factory crates and assembles them himself. Typically, after disassembling every moving part to make sure it has the right amount of grease and proper type on it. He samples his oil and has it tested at least twice per oil interval. Just to make sure it doesn't break down unexpectedly.

Lightspeed and Friendly have sold him crated bikes to my surprise. Now that is anal.

I don't let anyone else work on any of my bikes. It's my life after all and I am not trusting it to some yahoo who has to get to the titty bar before 6:00 for his steak dinner.


Heh I've asked them to sell me the bike in the crate too but they wouldnt... I sure as hell don't want some 18 year old punk assembling my bike (and then wrecking it on the test ride).... but yeah I'd do exactly what your friend did had they let me...