Need help with front tire re-install.........

[Dave Weaver]

I have a 1999 Interstate with 46,000 miles on it.  I was removing the front wheel bearings Wednesday evening and managed to knock a chunk out of the wheel where bearing seats.  I was not comfortable putting that wheel back on, so I ordered a front wheel from Pinwall to replace it.  The ad stated it was from an Interstate.  The wheel arrived this morning and I checked the bearings to make sure they felt good and proceeded with installing it on the bike.  I removed the right brake rotor from old wheel and installed on right side of new wheel, and did the same with left rotor.  I put the collar into hub on right side and the speedo sensor into left side.  I lifted the wheel up and pushed axle into wheel and tapped until it stopped and sounded solid.  I inserted and tightened left pinch bolts and inserted axle bolt and tightened it.  I mounted right side brake caliper and tightened bolts and mounted right side caliper and tightened bolts.  The lower bolt was rubbing the caliper, so I removed it and put a lock washer under it to back it out enough to quit rubbing.  I lowered the bike to the ground, pumped the brake pressure up, held the brakes, and pumped the front forks up and down several times to seat the axle and align everything.  I, lastly, inserted and tightened the right pinch bolts.  I took it for a test drive and on both sides of the bike, the front calipers or pads are rubbing so badly that you cannot touch the rotors after only a couple miles.  What did I do wrong?  I followed book procedure to the letter to re-install a front wheel.  Should I jack up, remove, and re-install.  Thanks for any and all advice.

[Ken Tarver]

Dave, check the caliper hold bracket to see if that is what is rubbing the rotor. these wheels are interchangable but not neccessarily all the other components. I put 2003 chrome wheels on my '97 tourer and the caliper bracket was rubbing.....I ground away a thin slice of the bracket where it was rubbing....all good.

Ken

[ptgb]

Here's a recent (if you think April is "recent") thread about this... I think this might be the issue. Each time I reinstalled my front wheel, last year and this year I had the same problem... it was the axle not seating properly.


http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,26572.0.html

Good luck... let us know what you found.

[longrider]

If the axle is installed correctly the left side end of the axle will be flush at the top and bottom in the fork.  If it is protruding out at all the caliper will touch the rotor. So loosen the pinch bolts and gently pull out on the lower fork tube until it is flush

[Dave Weaver]

Once again, you guys rock!!!! I went out this morning and looked at the axle and it was NOT flush with the fork tube on the left side.  I lifted the ole girl up, loosened the pinch bolts on both sides, and loosened the axle bolt.  I grabbed a piece of 2x4 and a hammer and tapped the axle into the fork tube until it was flush, then bolted everything back up per the manual.  I took her for a quick test drive and all is quiet and cool.  I now need to make a notation in my manual that after it feels like axle is seated, gently tap axle into fork tube until flush with fork tube.  Thanks a lot.

[hmt81]

Had the same issue 1st time I took the wheel off. This group is awesome and always ready to lend a hand. The knowledge base here is amazing!!