Topic: CB 750 K2 Axle Clamp Stamp F

[bird]

Anyone know why each front axle clamp is stamped with an F ?
Does the F side go toward the front?

Also, they aren't perfectly flat, with one side a tad higher than the other.
Appreciate any ideas. Cheers.

[MCRider]

Anyone know why each front axle clamp is stamped with an F ?
Does the F side go toward the front?

Also, they aren't perfectly flat, with one side a tad higher than the other.
Appreciate any ideas. Cheers.

Hadn't seen one with the "F", I'd assume front.

They are not symetrical. The high side is tightened first, leaving a gap on the short side. You then tighten it down and the gap makes it act like a clamp. Do not attempt to close the gap, you'll break it. Just take it to the proper torque spec. Which off hand i don't know.

I'd love to know which side the F is on as there has been some controversy whether the gap goes to the front or rear.

[bird]

Thanks MCRider. So the gap is meant to be there? That's interesting. My mate had a similar theory, but wasn't too sure. Big question is whether it goes to the front or back.

As for the F, yeah it's there alright (along with a faint M and a number), but nothing in the books explains why. Maybe it's all related.

Cheers.

[MCRider]

Thanks MCRider. So the gap is meant to be there? That's interesting. My mate had a similar theory, but wasn't too sure. Big question is whether it goes to the front or back.

As for the F, yeah it's there alright (along with a faint M and a number), but nothing in the books explains why. Maybe it's all related.

Cheers.

Is the F on the tall side or short side?

I was raised to put the gap to the back. I think most manuals concur, Clymers etc.

HondaMan whom I respect says Honda Engineers told him the gap goes to the front.

Is your F on the tall (thick) side or short?

[bird]

I'll have a look tonight and get back to you.
Be good to solve this little mystery.
Thanks.

[bird]

MC. Took off the clamp and if you flip it over, looking from above, you'll see: F cast (rather than stamped) into the thicker side, sitting just
off to the right (or left?) of the mounting hole. There's also a D in the centre, and another, smaller D or O off-centre from that. I also noted that the bottom of the fork leg has different letters and numbers. Perhaps these relate to the F and mounting of the clamp, thick of thin side forward, or back? What do you think? They were smart engineers who built the Four so long ago, so must be a reason for the design and correct fitting of the clamps. Back to you (and HondaMan if he's watching). Cheers guys.

[bollingball]

The78750 manual says F mark goes forward and the front gets torque first this is VERY important see what your K2 book says

[bollingball]

After my last post I went to look at mine (750K8) the gap is in the front however no F mark instead there is a arrow pointing forward on the bottom of the clamp no mention of this in the service manual. My torque values are (13.0-18.1) I set mine at 15.5. keep in mind this is a (750K8) I have not found anything in my HondaMan book about this but could have missed it.

[MCRider]

After my last post I went to look at mine (750K8) the gap is in the front however no F mark instead there is a arrow pointing forward on the bottom of the clamp no mention of this in the service manual. My torque values are (13.0-18.1) I set mine at 15.5. keep in mind this is a (750K8) I have not found anything in my HondaMan book about this but could have missed it.

If your gap is in front, wouldn't you torque the rear one first?

[bollingball]

NO the manual says gap in front and torque front first until I hear different from someone like HondaMan or TT I will do it that way.Also those are Ft/Lb readings

[MCRider]

NO the manual says gap in front and torque front first until I hear different from someone like HondaMan or TT I will do it that way.Also those are Ft/Lb readings

Wow that is so weird (compared to what I'd learned.) I don't blame you for going your way.

But you can envision, if you tighten the gap first, the gap surfaces will not mate up, the clamp surface will approach the surface on the leg at an angle. Just doesn't feel good to me.
By learned, that was 5 years at Honda dealerships. So it wasn't just a friend of my brother in law.  

BUT, i am very willing to accept that I am wrong with proper discussion and documentation.

As to my K2 manual, the Clymer says "mount the wheel on the forks, install the axle holders (part in question), and tighten the nuts". That's all, real helpful. (sarcasm)

However, the picture clearly shows the gap in back. Either the K2 clamps weren't marked or my marks were polished off, as I have none. I think in fact that I have converted to K1 forks anyway.

[MCRider]

After my last post I went to look at mine (750K8) the gap is in the front however no F mark instead there is a arrow pointing forward on the bottom of the clamp no mention of this in the service manual. My torque values are (13.0-18.1) I set mine at 15.5. keep in mind this is a (750K8) I have not found anything in my HondaMan book about this but could have missed it.

The General Service Manual found on this site agrees with you, I guess. It shows a picture with the F arrow pointing forward. It says the "allow" goes forward. No mention of the gap, but one might think the "allow" is the gap, or the mark? It says to tighten the front first.

But as i mentioned, if you tighten the gap side first, you put the clamp and stud in a bind which seems too inelegant to be proper.

Too bad the GSM does not allow a copy and paste.

[MCRider]

Dan's MC agrees with me. Scroll about half way down to discussion of the pinch type.
http://www.dansmc.com/front_wheels.htm

If you double click on the "2 pinch nut" photo, it will enlarge with arrows and description.

This DOES not mean I think I am right, simply that there is confusion on the issue.

[bollingball]

It looks like there may be different ways to do this. I really don't know which way is correct. This could turn out to be worst than an OIL thread I have allways done mine the way I describe and after 5 or 6 times and 20,000 miles nothing has fallen off

[bollingball]

Bird hope your happy I just got back from a nice 50 mile ride worried about my front wheel falling off the whole time

[MCRider]

Bird hope your happy I just got back from a nice 50 mile ride worried about my front wheel falling off the whole time

No argument here. Gotta do what you gotta do. We did answer his one question though, confirming that the gap is normal.

[TwoTired]

Those axle clamps aren't always marked.  So, I check them on a flat surface.  If you push down on each end, one end will "flatten" and raise the opposite end showing a gap.  The gap end goes toward the rear of the bike.  The front side is tightened first.

Cheers,

[bollingball]

TT I'm still not clear on this did you look at the (750K8) manual it says gap in front and torque front first

[TwoTired]

TT I'm still not clear on this did you look at the (750K8) manual it says gap in front and torque front first

My CB750 K8 supplement doesn't note any axle clamp differences from previous models.

Which manual are you using?  Can you post a pic?

What I know is that the gap should face rearward rather than forward, so that rain and road grime don't get forced under pressure into the gap and foster corrosion.
All the pinch clamps are oriented this way, in my experience.

Cheers,

[bollingball]

I downloaded it from this site. It says Honda shop manual cb750k8 cb750f3 at the bottom of front cover are some numbers (6141000) and (A31007712) Honda motor company ltd 1977 I do not have any supplements

[bollingball]

I agree there should be a gap. Torque might or should be the main issue like the tube clamps on the forks but without the washer with the flat side. We do not want to snap these things. I'm going to sit back and try to learn. God I love this site

[TwoTired]

I downloaded it from this site. It says Honda shop manual cb750k8 cb750f3 at the bottom of front cover are some numbers (6141000) and (A31007712) Honda motor company ltd 1977 I do not have any supplements

Can you post a link?  The one I found on mediafire (that fits your description) doesn't seem to be available, anymore.

[bollingball]

TT I will look it up but have to take my son to scouts now. Mite be a couple of days but no more thanks for your help don't know how you put up with us guys.

                                       Ken Bolling

[Brown Bomber]

My 750K2 has the "F" mark on the clamps, and my '76 CB500T does too. I put the "F" toward the front, and the gap toward the rear, it only makes sense.

[mystic_1]

Here's the relevant diagram and instructions from the aforementioned K8-F3 shop manual.  Seems to show the gap in the rear, instructs to tighten the front nut first.

mystic_1

[bird]

Thanks guys. This topic sure generated some interest and different opinions. And to bollingball – my apology for dampening your Sunday ride. Hope you still had fun. Now, back to those clamps....

[The Lone Builder]

I know this topic is OLD!, but i thought it worth posting the SB that I just spent half an hour searching for to ease someones future quest.

I knew I had seen and downloaded it but couldn't, for the life of me, find it.

It answers the question clearly.

It comes from the "Honda General Service Bulletin post - near the bottom of page 2:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,102388.25.html

Sean

[beemerbum]

A while ago, someone posted a Honda Service Bulletin regarding the front wheel clamp. I can't find it. Surely someone can.

[CycleRanger]

A while ago, someone posted a Honda Service Bulletin regarding the front wheel clamp. I can't find it. Surely someone can.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,102388.msg1391690.html#msg1391690