Mystery racket

[fiddle mike]

I had my front wheel off, today. When I reinstalled it I had the rotor rivets racketing on the brake shoes.  I tried every why I could think of, including step-by-step from the service manual, to line up the wheel. I finally got the wheel to spin freely on the lift.  My methods were, admittedly, non-spec.

On a test-ride I got a racket similar to rivet noise when turning right. The rivets weren't heated when I stopped and put my hand on them. Since the axle didn't slide easily, I suspect a wheel bearing, but didn't hear the noise, yesterday.
Does anyone care to speculate on the source of the noise?

[Joe Hummer]

Hey Mike,

I am willing to bet you still don't have things lined up like you need to be.  One thing to remember when assembling the front wheel...the wheel tightens up against the raised end on the right side (as you are sitting at the front wheel looking to the back of the bike).  Once you tighten the bolt on the left side of the axle, loosen the right side pinch bolts and align the fork on the axle so that the disc is centered in the rotor.  Then tighten the pinch bolts on both sides and you are done and it should be good to go.

Joe

[fiddle mike]

Thanks, I'll take another run at it in the a.m.  Riding from Corpus Christi to San Antonio in the early afternoon, hopefully, not on the Baby Shadow (VLX).

[Nickster]

I had the same problem when i did mine.  Its all in the sequence of tighting the pinch bolts and the axle in the right order
good luck
AkNickster

[DeathWishBikerDude]

I use a small block of wood to get the wheel centered in the forks before tightening everything down.
Since the front has rotors and calipers on each side,clearance must be correct between all the front wheel parts.
Take a good look at all the angles closely before tightening everything up,and you'll easily see what I mean.
This same thing happens to most people on their first tire replacement adventure.
After aquiring some experience,checking the clearance just comes naturally.

[Master Blaster]

You can also get this if the front axle isnt seated all the way in.

[fiddle mike]

I loosened the pinch bolts, pried the wheel over, spun it and locked the brake a few times. A test ride indicates I'm good to go.
Sometimes it goes right on, and sometimes it gives me fits. I shouldn't have violated my policy of not working on a bike the week of a ride.