I put a new set of tires on...couple of questions

[rws]

This is the 6th set of tires I've put on and never really thought about the sequence of installing the front axle until now.  I've always followed the shop manual procedure but don't understand how the axle will seat itself while holding the brake and pumping the fork up and down with the right side pinch bolts loose but the axle bolt being torqued down in a previous step.  How can the axle move?

Also ever since I bought the bike new in 1997 I've had a slow leak on the front tire...I'm assuming a porous wheel.  Would adding a tire sealant (Slime) be an OK thing to use? 

[Leathel]

Have you replaced the OEM valve stem yet? My leak was there

As for the seating the axle..its more to set the forks position on the already tight axle to ensure correct disc alignment to the calipers (with the axle tight the fork can still slide on the axle on the clamp side)

[Chrisj CMA]

The only thing that makes sense is to bounce the forks with the CLUTCH side pinch bolts loose and then tighten the pinch bolts before releasing the brakes. This centers the caliper on that side on the rotor. The brake side cannot move.

[rws]

Have you replaced the OEM valve stem yet? My leak was there

As for the seating the axle..its more to set the forks position on the already tight axle to ensure correct disc alignment to the calipers (with the axle tight the fork can still slide on the axle on the clamp side)

put new stems in on a previous tire install and new stems on this latest install

[sandy]

I also had a slow leak on a previous valk. At a tire change, I steel wooled the rim and painted the inside of the rim with polyurethane spray. Also be sure no deposits have built up. Clean the bead area very well.

[9Ball]

Have you replaced the OEM valve stem yet? My leak was there

As for the seating the axle..its more to set the forks position on the already tight axle to ensure correct disc alignment to the calipers (with the axle tight the fork can still slide on the axle on the clamp side)

+1

[Paladin528]

The left side of the axle can slip right through the hole on the fork.  The axle is actually set to the speed sensor on the axle.  Once that is set and the pinch bolts tightened then you brake and bounce to center everything since the right side still has some play.  once its all buttoned up everything should be centered.
I have never had issue with the steps presented in the honda manual