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Post by medic09 on Aug 22, 2006 21:27:31 GMT -5
So I got home from UNM this evening, and started looking the bike over front to back. Tire inflations have remained okay since I filled them a few days ago. Front spindle/axle seems tight. Headset/forks seems fine. Castle nut on rear axle is loose enough I can turn it with my fingers!  So, how did it get that way? How do I prevent it from recurring?  I tightened it with an adjustable wrench (all I had that would fit). Took the bike for a ride. Fast, slow, fast, slow...no more wobble. Now what? Thanks all! Hey rodentrancher/ABQ-how's your bike? |
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Post by pablosrfivehundred on Aug 22, 2006 21:53:59 GMT -5
umm you didn't mention anything about the cotter pin threw the rear axle. you are using one correct?
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Post by medic09 on Aug 22, 2006 22:18:12 GMT -5
I also thought there should be one (like on the front axle); but there isn't, and I can't see a hole for it. Remember guys, I'm new to this so be patient...  Okay, went out to the garage, tightened the nut a tad more, and the flashlight reveals the hole for the cotter pin. I didn't have it lined up so I could see it before. So, is the missing pin the cause/and solution to my problem? I wonder how much the previous owner rode without it? |
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Post by hopwheels on Aug 22, 2006 23:26:43 GMT -5
Yep, cotter pin them both, and some blue LockTite on those axle threads wouldn't hurt either. I'm a pretty new rider myself, and have found doing a pre-ride check (TCLOCS, here's a site with the acronym defined www.abateofmichigan.org/tclocs.htm) is very helpful. Not trying to be preachy. It helped me keep from hopping on the bike a couple of times with under-inflated tires. Gary Hopwheels |
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Post by medic09 on Aug 22, 2006 23:36:07 GMT -5
I'm with you on the pre-ride. My wife (who takes the MSF class next week) even stopped me and reminded me the other day. I just never (yet!) thought I needed to closely inspect that axle nut...  |
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Post by StewRoss on Aug 23, 2006 3:44:21 GMT -5
Hi, Yes put the split pins in and the problem will never return...unless you leave 'em out...the axle nut really shouldn't come loose at all if it's tightened correctly. The pins are there just to make sure that that doesn't happen in any case... I always remember...many years ago...riding a Honda C50 that belonged to my grandmother. These have a centrifugal clutch and a gear pedal that you push down forward to change up and down back to change back. As I tried to change down a gear the pedal wouldn't go down far enough...when I looked down to see why, I noticed that the swing arm axle had come out about half way, blocking the movement of the gear lever... ...much longer and it might have been a bit painfull! The nut had vibrated off... Check your head stem bearings as well. Put the bike on the centre stand...if it has one...and have someone hold the rear down so that the front is in the air. First check to see if there's any front to rear movement. If there is try tighteneing up the head stem nut a little...not too tight though. It should move freely side to side. Sometimes a little hard to judge with all of the cables etc. hooked up... Turn the bars from side to side carefully to see if there is any 'notchiness' of the bearings. If there is then initially try to lubricate them..this'll need some disassembly though...if they're the standard balls replace them with ra tapered bearing kit. There are a few different ones around. That will give you almost instant new bike steering feel. SR |
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Post by medic09 on Aug 23, 2006 6:13:05 GMT -5
Thanks all! I truly appreciate the good, clear answers.  May you all be blessed with good riding. |
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Post by rodentrancher on Aug 23, 2006 19:49:28 GMT -5
Hey rodentrancher/ABQ-how's your bike? Sigh . . . getting lonely in my garage while I spend the week TDY in/near beautiful Socorro for work. However, I've got hopes for the weekend. I've got the replacement main jet and gasket kit for the carb, and a vernier caliper and a big second-cut file to adjust the slide cut-away. Minton mods here we come I'll try to document the project with a digital camera, if I actually get it done and put the carb back together without too many missing pieces I'll see if I can't put the pics up somewhere and post a link  |
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