Fork Stem Nut Lock Tab

[dirtymike]

Anybody use these anymore. Seems ever time I see one the tab is broke or bent. Whats the trick to getting them to stay still through the torque process. Dirty

[76shuvlinoff]

There's one on my 76, I put a later front end on it 5-6 years ago. I have not been in there for a long time but last I looked it was still in position and intact.  I will likely be taking it all apart in the next few months so I'll be getting another look.

[Wiseguy]

I've had my latest one on my trees for about six months, and never bent it over to one of the nut flats yet. The roads are pretty much pool table flat and smooth down here in south Florida, but most of my other hardware is loctited to keep all the parts together. Besides, I know that as soon as I bend the washer over, I'll find a reason to unbend it to screw around with something on the forks. Lame excuse, but it's the best I could come up with on short notice.

Bill

[rigidthumper]

Might try anti seize on the underside of the nut.

[dirtymike]

anti seize on the underside of the nut, more slide. Every time i take one off its bent or ripped. Thanks Dirty

[rigidthumper]

Maybe a dab of valve grinding compound underneath, to keep it from spinning?

[JW113]

I don't use any of sheet metal lock washers anywhere on the bike. That's "pre-loctite technology" to me. Couple drops of blue loctite, tighen, forget...

-JW

[kink04fxd]

If the tab is broken off, just tighten the nut and take a punch and smack the washer over the hole where the tab would have gone in.

[Wiseguy]

As long as you don't have a chrome top nut, it shouldn't loosen if tightened enough. As said earlier, a little blue loctite should keep it in place.

Bill

[dirtymike]

The lock washer (#17 page 2-25) with the tab bends down to lock the head bearing nut (#20) into place. Seems i have a pop when the front brakes are applied hard, i tend to ride a little fast for the populace here. Dirty

[Burnout]

Seems i have a pop when the front brakes are applied hard

As I recall there should be a step on top of the preload nut that centers the upper tree on the stem.

Perhaps this is missing on yours and the upper tree is wobbling around?

[dirtymike]

The SM diagram (pg 2-25 fig 2-35) doesn't have a preload nut in the parts break brake down list. I think the head bearing nut(#20) need adjusting. I don't have any front end wobble. Dirty