Fitting the front wheel - CAUTION

[Farky]

Just got a new set of tyres fitted and as I was trying to wheel the bike out, I noticed it wasnt free-wheeling as such so ask the fitter to check.

Same fitters have put 3 previous sets on my bike without issues but today was different.

It seems that he squeezed the bottom of the forks together when tightening the clamps and this resulted in the caliper frame rubbing on the disc - hence it wasnt freewheeling.

I took the bike to my dealer for further investigation and apparently you DONT squeeze the forks together, there is a lip on the end of the spindle which the bars should match up to, almost needing to be pulled outwards to match, otherwise the forks aint straight and the discs rub.

3rd bike with same issue this year apparently and luckely with no damage.....other 2 required new discs due to warping and one needed a new caliper frame it was that bad!!!

OOPS!

Good job I went straight to my dealer....and I will be educating the fitter as he is genuine and honest.

[oggy]

Hells teeth! Basic error there! You may wish to check your fork seals too. Tyre fitters are usually no mechanics so understandable. Remove wheel yourself next time - not that difficult - even without centre stand.

[Treadtrader]

Hells teeth! Basic error there! You may wish to check your fork seals too. Tyre fitters are usually no mechanics so understandable. Remove wheel yourself next time - not that difficult - even without centre stand.

A trained tyre fitter will have more idea of safe wheel removal and refitting than the average mechanic. Daily practice helps.
Maybe this guy needs some training.

[btbloke]

It's a mystery to me how he did it, you do the spindle up untill it stops which is when the shoulder of the spindle meets the bearing inside the dust seal,torque it then torque the spindle clamp tight, simple. How the hell did he manage to pull the forks together against the force of the fork seals and guides trying to keep them straight???
I would seriously avoid him again mate,like dave says,most tyre fitters know as much if not more than some mechanics as to the wheels and tyres etc as it is their bread and butter and a life and death process, they don't really want to send someone away with a dangerously fitted front wheel that's going to fall off 5 miles down the road and kill them.

[Farky]

Your not wrong to question his knowledge - thing is, he's been in the business for years and works on BSB and trackbikes for many. Very well established business and a reputible man too.

Think he had a brain fart today, as I say, last 3 times it never happened.

I watched him push the forks together too, didnt take any pressure at all - I wouldnt have known not to do it but then Id have the Honda Alp workshop manual if I was doing it. If it was a real 'push' you would naturally question it with the force required, but it didnt.

I will be telling about this incase of any issues with the fork seals etc and im sure he will be over apologetic if not blown away by the grandness of the mistake....will also tell him about the 3 others incase it was them.

[YEN_POWELL]

It's easy to move the forks, finger tip pressure will do it. Here's an AT, the two yellow lines I've drawn should be together before clamping up the axle.

[btbloke]

I wouldn't pull them out that looks fine to me,any further out and the little tab that stops the speedo drive from spinning forward might not be able to do it's job.Mine looked like that from new and I've left it as is.

[YEN_POWELL]

I wouldn't pull them out that looks fine to me,any further out and the little tab that stops the speedo drive from spinning forward might not be able to do it's job.Mine looked like that from new and I've left it as is.

It actually says in the handbook that it has to be lined up. Don't forget that your bike arrived at the dealer in a crate with the wheels and handlebars removed, so some shop monkey was given the task of plonking the wheel on.

[clutchspring]

Had new tyres fitted to day, removed & replaced wheels my self,
As for the front wheel fitting it says in the 700 hand book to CHECK caliper to disc clearance after assembly,
I fail to see how the tyre fitter ended up doing what he did !
When fitting any wheel that does not turn freely after assembly should sound alarm bells,
Ian,

[Bikerider]

Hells teeth! Basic error there! You may wish to check your fork seals too. Tyre fitters are usually no mechanics so understandable. Remove wheel yourself next time - not that difficult - even without centre stand.

Ah! and talking about removing weels without centre stand, thatw as going to be my next question. Out on the road, how are the wheels (front or back) removed without a centre stand for innner tube replacement? Advice/hints/tips most apreciated.
Thanks