Reference Mark for Front Axle?

[Rio Wil]

I had my front axle out on my 2001 I/S and was just eyeballing the machining.  I noticed the obvious decrease in diameter between the left pinch bolt area and the rest of the shaft. Closer inspection revealed a slight taper on the larger diameter down to the smaller diameter and a slight undercut on the smaller diameter right at the step down.  Continuing to look, I noticed a very small groove cut in the larger diameter about .050 from the taper.  Closer inspection showed the groove was not a machining mark, but appeared to be a deliberately machined cut in the shaft.......hmmmmmm

In stalled the axle and lined up the left side of the axle flush with the surface of thefork.....looked for the little machined cut on the axle and lo and behold, it was just visible on the inside of the fork......dang! is it a reference mark to remove any guesswork as to the proper positioning of the f ork/axle relationship and gives optimum alignment for the left brake caliper to prevent rotor/caliper interference.   






 

[9Ball]

My guess is yes....you are on to something.  Good job!!

[The emperor has no clothes]

Very observant, I wouldn't have noticed that in a million years!

[wiggydotcom]

Very observant, I wouldn't have noticed that in a million years!

Ditto.. Veeeery interesting.

[Chrisj CMA]

That is very interesting for sure....I looked and I think I can just make out that mark on the inside edge of the fork.......Ill look better next time the front wheel comes off.  I certainly never noticed that before.  I wonder if it was a new addition, mine is a first  year, we shall see.

[Bone]

My 98 Tourer has one.
Weak flashlight and cell phone picture doesn't get posted.

[Rio Wil]

Here is a closer look at the final alignment of the mark after final tightening........maybe .010 off .....if it is meaningful at all..... 

[MarcusS]

I noticed you are missing the 8mm bolt caps like everyone else.  Anyone purchased and replaced the 4 caps that are suppose to dress up the axle bolts?

CAP (8MM)
91455-MB0-010

[hubcapsc]

Honda sells 10 packs of 6, 8 and 10mm ones...

http://www.hondadirectlineofshadyside.com/stores/product.asp?pid=5346&str=2&ID=680392159

I got a pack a few years ago...

-Mike

[Farther]

There are a few of them in the dirt floor of my barn you are welcome to, if you can find them.   

[Thrud]

I checked my Honda shop manual and found no mention of any reference mark on the front axle.  Perhaps your previous owner made this mark?  I don't believe there's any requirement for aligning any high or low spots on the axle/fork mating surfaces.

[Thrud]

Also, properly installed and functioning brakes will have the pads "floating" between the rotors and the caliper pistons.  Check your brakes and replace the pads when the pad wear indicators are at/near their service limits.  You may want to remove the calipers and check for correct piston movement (no binding).  And, insure the calipers move in either direction along the caliper pin bolts.  I recently overhauled my rear brake because the pistons were stuck (piston surfaces corroded).  During the course I discovered that the pin bolts lacked any silicone grease.

[Rio Wil]

Also, properly installed and functioning brakes will have the pads "floating" between the rotors and the caliper pistons.  Check your brakes and replace the pads when the pad wear indicators are at/near their service limits.  You may want to remove the calipers and check for correct piston movement (no binding).  And, insure the calipers move in either direction along the caliper pin bolts.  I recently overhauled my rear brake because the pistons were stuck (piston surfaces corroded).  During the course I discovered that the pin bolts lacked any silicone grease.

The topic of this thread is the possible discovery of a undocumented maintenance aid to assist in aligning the axle on the left fork tube properly....so question is, does your axle have one of these minute grooves?

[hubcapsc]

The topic of this thread is the possible discovery of a undocumented maintenance aid to assist in aligning the axle on the left fork tube properly....so question is, does your axle have one of these minute grooves?

I got curious and looked at the ones on ebay... the only one I saw that did not have the groove was
this  marked-as-a-97-front axle...



-Mike

[Rio Wil]

Hmmmm, that is interesting.  Isn't the '97 axle different cause of the smaller bearing size also......

I looked on ebay also and could clearly see one shaft with the machined groove.....I couldn't tell about the ones from Pinwall because of the orientation of the shaft.....

[Chrisj CMA]

Hmmmm, that is interesting.  Isn't the '97 axle different cause of the smaller bearing size also......

I looked on ebay also and could clearly see one shaft with the machined groove.....I couldn't tell about the ones from Pinwall because of the orientation of the shaft.....

No difference in the axle between years.  The bearing OUTER diameter is a bit smaller. Inner diameter (where the axle goes) is all the same

[hubcapsc]

Hmmmm, that is interesting.  Isn't the '97 axle different cause of the smaller bearing size also......

I looked on ebay also and could clearly see one shaft with the machined groove.....I couldn't tell about the ones from Pinwall because of the orientation of the shaft.....

If you grind around on the pinwall ads, there's multiple pictures... kind of klunky, but you can see that they have the groove...

-Mike

[Rio Wil]

I just replaced my front tire and upon re-inserting the axle, it was kind of nice to just look for the "reference groove" to peek out from the fork tube......tighten the left pinch bolts down and walla!!

[matt]

just finished fron wheel install had a mark on axle an yup just bring mark thru fork tighten up lower bike bounce tighten right side pinch bolts(yes did tighten axle bolt first)  jack back up and no rubbing. I think you are deff on to something.  TTTHHHAAANNNKKK   YYYOOOUUUUU!!!!!!!!!

[KSDragonRider]

I noticed you are missing the 8mm bolt caps like everyone else.  Anyone purchased and replaced the 4 caps that are suppose to dress up the axle bolts?

CAP (8MM)
91455-MB0-010

i bought some last time i did a front tire.

[RP#62]

Hmm, not on my '97.  I'll have to go check the '98.
-RP

[Rio Wil]

That will be interesting to see if the '98 has it.....

[Bone]

Check reply #5 your question will be answered.

[Rio Wil]

Bone.....I remember seeing your post....just looking for further verification.

Thanks,

Wil

[Bone]

Good idea I want to see the axle moved over a bit to be positive.