Stuff that jiggles and wiggles

[num]

So i'm on my way to work today and I realize i hear a nasty knocking from the front end and realize the nut covered by rubber on the tripple is spinning off, I pull over and finger tighten it and take it easy to the office.
I'll tighten this one up when I get home (only 5 miles away)
Does anyone know torque values?
Does anything else on this bike rattle off?


Please note, ive never ever put a tool to that nut, this happened all on its own ???

 

[djm_ct]

If you are referring to the Steering Stem Nut, which is located right between the bar riser brackets, and which has a cap on it, the torque spec is:
130 Nm (13 m-kgf, 94 ft.lbf)

I haven't heard of one just vibrating loose on it's own. Sounds like it wasn't tightened properly during assembly at the dealership. How long have you had the bike?

 

[djm_ct]

I'll try a pic but I'm not sure I know how to attach one.
See if this works

 

[djm_ct]

Kinda small, but if you can make it out, the nut and the cap are at the top right in my little picture.

 

[Don in Lodi]

Used to have to check that nut on my Royal Star once or twice a year...

 

[HoebSTer]

If you are referring to the Steering Stem Nut, which is located right between the bar riser brackets, and which has a cap on it, the torque spec is:
130 Nm (13 m-kgf, 94 ft.lbf)

I haven't heard of one just vibrating loose on it's own. Sounds like it wasn't tightened properly during assembly at the dealership. How long have you had the bike?

The dealer doesn't assemble this part of bike from the factory. It has a factory set spec, then is a maintenance check after a few thousand miles preferably. Of the few I have done for people around here, they are always way under 94 ft/lbs of torque. It is just the way it is, and most bikes require periodic checking of these. While you are at it, you should check preload of the spanner nuts under the top triple clamp. They need to be retorqued with weight off front wheel. The whole process is less than 20 minutes to do with the tool.

jeff

 

[Firefight911]

Couple things with this nut;

Since it is loose, center your forks in the triple while you're at it. Loosen the axle pinch bolts (20ft/lb), loosen the axle (60ft/lb). Now loosen the upper triple pinch bolts (double check torque value - 20ft/lb???).

Lift the bike up and balance it and then jounce several times to center the steering in the triples. Center stand it after word. Just be gentle and don't jostle it everywhere.

Now tighten the center nut that came loose on you. Do not tighten this against the steering stop. Apply opposing force only to top triple clamp or you will twist the forks in the triples, defeating the purpose.

Now tighten the axle and lower pinch bolts.

Now tighten the upper triple pinch bolts.

Ride.

Don't minimize the importance of this very simple procedure. The best and most perfect suspension is rendered worthless if the forks are tweaked in the triples. Fork seals scream and leak as a result as well.

The order you do things is vital. The center nut must be done with loose upper triple pinch bolts and they should be tightened last.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk which means there are more than likely spelling errors!

 

[spasm]

mine done the same, was knocking too, took me a while to find the problem as i thought it was the springs in the forks. till a mate pulled the black rubber off. it was very loose. torqued it up no further problems. that was 4k ago.

 

[num]

@fire thanks for the procedure, I'll check that out, and yes it is the stem nut. After a forum search I can see i'm not the first to have this shake on me.

Thank god i caught it before it fell off the bike.

I'll run through the process of tightening it all up tonight, haven't used my torque wrench in months!

Thanks again.

 

[rotortech71]

This nut is larger than the biggest socket I have. Someone know the size so I can pick one up?

 

[Don in Lodi]

This nut is larger than the biggest socket I have. Someone know the size so I can pick one up?

You haven't pulled your rear wheel yet I gather... 27mm, same-same.

 

[rotortech71]

You haven't pulled your rear wheel yet I gather... 27mm, same-same.

Only at 3k, so no. Good to know, thanks.