Hi Just wondering if anyone out there can help… I have a 2001 748 with 5 spokes, I’ve noticed that the back of front brake callipers are very close to the wheel spokes! I can fit a 5mm plastic spacer on left side and 3mm on right side, should they be this close?? Also the front spindle on the right side seems happy sitting proud by about 3mm from fork leg, surely end of axle should be flush with fork leg??? I can pull fork leg over and do pinch bolts up so axle is flush, this gives 5mm gap between both callipers and spokes. There is evidence of previous to me crash damage on left side, maybe one of the forks bent slightly and pushing everything over making the spindle proud by the 3mm?? Perhaps some of you could kindly check theirs to see how much gap you have between back of callipers and wheel spokes and if the end of spindle on right side is flush with fork? I’ve attached some pics….
Scott, I will check mine tomorrow morning and take some photos. It looks a little odd in your pictures, I wonder if you can see whether the washer and speedo drive on the left side are in place and fitted correctly. Pretty sure the spindle sits nearly flush on the outside of the fork clamp, also it would be useful to check whether the spacer that sits between the bearings is in there but that will need the wheel out. Its a 2001 748, are the 5 spokes OEM (as in 748S or R) or are they a replacement for 3 spokes that were fitted from new, the discs suggest to me it had 3 spokes? Edit, do you have factory manual to see how it needs to be reassembled? The sequence is quite important as it needs the nut tightening, then the forks to be settled on the shaft before doing up the pinch bolts. BTW, this post should be in the "Technical Help" section
Thanks for your speedy reply’s guys! Sorry this is my first post and found it hard enough getting this on here!Cookster, will get some better pics up later. Denzil, I have had the front wheel out recently and can confirm the Speedo drive and washer/drive ring are in place. I do have a workshop and Haynes manual and went through the procedure of doing axle nut up, compressing forks to settle, then doing pinch bolts, all at correct torque settings. The bike is a Spanish one and I know the bikes history from 2006 as my brother had it from then. It’s a 2001 748s and has Brembo 5 spokes….
There isn't a washer between the speedo drive and fork leg. There should be one under the nut though. The calipers are close, but there's nothing amiss. If they aren't touching, then you're OK.
Nelly, I didn’t think there was but weren’t sure as I can find an assembly drawing of forks an wheel together. Ok, will stop worrying and live with it!
Chris Chris, that’s my main problem, I have 2or3mm on right side and 5mm left side. Also the wheel spindle is about 3mm proud on fork leg after being settled. To get end of axle flush I have to pull fork leg over which does even the gaps up but puts the forks under pressure. Have a look at previous pics I posted.
Before you tighten the fork clamp bolts, apply the brakes and hold them on with a tie wrap around the lever. This will allow the wheel and spindle to float to the correct position. Then tighten the clamp bolts.
Ok, thanks guys for your advise, will have another look at it over the weekend if I have time! Will check the centre dims are correct top and bottom of forks aswell. If anyone could check the gap is around 5mm on their bike that would rule out for me the wrong callipers or possibly the wrong wheels, although I’m pretty sure both are correct for that year. If I can remember, the 2001 748s had 5 spokes, titanium nitride coated forks, adjustable rake headstock. The 748E had 3 spokes, no adjustable headstock and plain chrome forks…???
Scot checked mine and both sides wheel spoke to calliper are around 4-5mm, they look to be symmetrical but difficult to be precise, access is limited to the bike as it is in long term storage. The reason I queried the wheels is that it turns out the MY01 748S has different discs to the MY02 748S (Mine is an MY02S)
as said.. look at your first picture at the beginning of the thread and then compare the amount the axle shaft protrudes with Denzil's similar picture. The amount of difference looks about right, i.e. around 1.5 mm. WANKER
Thanks for checking yours Denzil to confirm and thanks for the advise Sev, will have another tinker and update….
If it doesn't align after following the manuals procedure something is bent which could be either or both fork legs and or potentially the axle (they can bend in an off) . Try rotating the fork leg with signs of prior impact in the yokes to see if the mis-alignment changes , which if it does then I would guess the leg is bent somewhere.
