Topic: Front axle question

[Swede]

I was looking over my front wheel today and I noticed that on the left hand side there was a gap between the axle and the bottom of the fork tube.  I pulled the wheel off and there seems to be some kind of shim that has been put in there which prevents the axle from seating completely.  I haven't noticed any problems while riding the bike but is this normal? 

[mrbreeze]

Yes,it is normal.The gap should be towards the rear of the bike and I believe if you look on the bottom of the cap,there should be an arrow pointing forward.If I am not mistaken,the early models didn't have the arrow.Anyone else...correct me if I'm wrong.

[Einyodeler]

My `72 & `73 have an "F" for Front stamped on them.

[jaknight]

     Yes, there should be a gap to the rear of the fork/axle caps.  I am told some had directional arrows and others have the letter "F", without the qoute marks, indicating to the FRONT.

     I cannot recall info about a shim though........

     ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[mrbreeze]

Yeah,never heard of a shim.

[Bob Wessner]

If I am not mistaken,the early models didn't have the arrow.Anyone else...correct me if I'm wrong.

On my K0 there is no indication of front (either F or arrow) on the axle caps.

[DeLuxe]

My CB400f has the 'F' (raised in the casting, not stamped) in the clamps - I've been told to tighten the Front bolt first, then the rear ones before final torquing - same as for the handlebar clamps.
Sorry - no shims in there, just plain faces to the fork ends and the clamps.
BTW, I have to squeeze the forks together to 'clamp' the wheel - I guess this is what the peg end with the hole in it is for - I put a number 3 phillips though the hole and lever the RHS fork against that to close the gap.

[Swede]

I took some pictures last night sorry about the bad quality. 

[angeldeville]

yeah there shouldn't be any type of shims in there, they may have been placed there by an uninformed PO.

if there are no markings on the cap just look at the cap and you will see one side is higher than the other, this is the front side.

Always tighten the front side first, then the back, this will leave a gap in the back.

it is my understanding that if it is not done this way, the studs on the fork legs can break off.

[Swede]

I didn't think that it should be there but I thought it best to check the forum and see if anyone else has seen this.  I guess tonight I will see if I can knock the shim out of there (unless anyone knows of a reason that i shouldn't) and see how it handles.  Thanks for the responses.