Topic: CB500/550 Lower Fork caps/clamps "taper"???

[puppytrax]

I keep reading of the need to install the fork lower caps [the axle clamps] with the taper to the rear...

What taper???  I'm looking at one of my CB500 axle clamps and I don't see any taper... 

[Mad Dog]

what they mean is that you snug up at the front nuts first so it is just touching the bottom of the fork tube. Then tighten up the rear nuts. That is where your thinking of the taper. Make sure there facing the right direction. There are little lines/arrows that should be facing forward. I hope this helped.

[Peter]

If you look at them, they are not perfectly square.  that is to say they are not symmetrical.

[puppytrax]

There are little lines/arrows that should be facing forward. I hope this helped.

Nothing like that on my caps, I'm afraid...I have several sets of forks with caps; some have the letter B or K in the center of the cap, all have the letter F at one side of the cap...but no lines or arrows...   

So the taper refers to the gap??? And the wide gap is to the rear???

[puppytrax]

Ah, now I see!!! The cap is thicker at one end than at the other (where the stud passes through). One end is ~.600"; the other end is ~.660"...About 1/16" thicker...   

OK! So the thinner end goes to the back, is that it??? Or does it matter, as long as both are on the same plane???   

[78 k550]

F mean's front.

[puppytrax]

F mean's front.

The F is on the side of mine, not the end.   

But thanks for your guess! 

[78 k550]

The open part of the F faces forward.
Not really a guess. Sorry i didnt explain myself.

Paul

[puppytrax]

The open part of the F faces forward.
Not really a guess. Sorry i didnt explain myself.

Paul

Good enough! Thanks, Paul!   

[78 k550]

if you have it setup wrong it is said to give you different handleing caracteristics. Snowed last night and never got above 30 or so. 50 tomorrow and a nice riding day.

take care,

Paul

[puppytrax]

Snowed last night and never got above 30 or so. 50 tomorrow and a nice riding day.

I drove across town yesterday to pick up a wheel+rotor...power was still out in the Southern part of town since last Thursdays blizzard; streets/curbs are full of downed branches & uncollected garbage...I never got a flake here... 

Gonna be a baaaaad Winter...