Is my front wheel going to fall off? Need assistance.

[Wavalk]

While cleaning my 1999 Interstate, I noticed that the left front fork is not seated against the wheel hub housing.  There is an approximate 3/16 gap.  (see picture) There was a build up of grease also.  I recently had new tires installed and they inspected the bearings and said all was fine.  I have jacked up the bike and I cannot hear any bearing noise.  The brake pads however are rubbing.  I have ridden the bike approximately 300 miles since getting the new tires and it handles very well.  Is this gap suppose to be there?  Any fellow Interstate owners able to confirm for me.  I have a 700 mile ride tomorrow and would like to return in one piece.

[img]http://imgur.com/vVLE1nt[img]
Thanks guys.

[Bighead]

Picture no work.

[Wavalk]

Sorry about the no picture.  I nor my teenage kid can figure out how to post a pic.  Looks like you have to do it from photostash? I'm still working on it.

[big poppa pump]

[Wavalk]

Thanks Big Poppa Pump for attaching the picture.   Does this gap look normal?  I wouldn't worry so much about it except for the build up of grease that I cleaned off around it.  Maybe the mechanic that installed the tires was a bit over zealous with the lubricant.

[mike72903]

Just went out to look. I have a tourer model and have that gap.

[Wavalk]

Thanks CI_Borg.  Much appreciated.

[MP]

There is a specific procedure to follow mounting the front wheel, so that it is true.  I think you are ok.

[GreenValk]

Looks about right to me. I've taken my front wheel off several times. If it is too tight the brake caliper bolts will rub on the disk.

[The emperor has no clothes]

It's kind of hard to tell, but that gap looks larger than either my I/S or my Standard. I would jack it up and go thru the front wheel installation procedure. It's in shoptalk if you haven't done it before. Very easy. 

[BobB]

It's hard to tell from the picture, but your axle may not be all the way in.  The end of the axle should be flush with the out side of the fork (right side of the picture).  If not right, that can cause the brake drag...

[MP]

It's kind of hard to tell, but that gap looks larger than either my I/S or my Standard. I would jack it up and go thru the front wheel installation procedure. It's in shoptalk if you haven't done it before. Very easy. 

I have done this.  Gone back, and redid the procedure.  Easy, just follow carefully.

[Bighead]

It's hard to tell from the picture, but your axle may not be all the way in.  The end of the axle should be flush with the out side of the fork (right side of the picture).  If not right, that can cause the brake drag...

Agreed and if not done correctly it could put some undue stress on stuff but to answer your question the only way the wheel could fall off is if the pinch bolts at the bottom were not tight and the cap bolt were not there.

[indybobm]

Actually, 'front axle not seated' is a misnomer.  If you look at the picture of the front axle below you will see that the left fork side of the axle is wider than the width of the fork. Also notice the step where the diameter is reduced. The step is what is against the speedometer unit. When the left pinch bolts are loosened, the left fork is free to move left and right along that surface of the axle.
In your picture, it does look like the  left fork is too close to the speedometer unit (too much axle extending past the outside of the left fork). The end of the axle should be absolutely flush with the outside of the fork. When it is misaligned like yours, it will cause  the clicking sound you have because the rotor is contacting the brake caliper. Loosen the left fork pinch bolts and move the fork away from the wheel until it is flush with the end of the axle.

[RP#62]

Correct.  The wheel "seats" against the shoulder on the axle.  If the rivits on your brake disk aren't contacting the brake calipers, the axle/wheel assembly is properly positioned between the forks.

-RP