Front Tire movement / camber

Is this a special bolt or can I substitue any bolt in there?

Use a metric bolt the correct size and length with a lock washer.
A bolt that is not threaded all the way to the head would be best.


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I would try to get a stock Kawasaki bolt fork bolt. If you cannot track one down, maybe a KZRider member can give you the exact measurements of one like it. If so, I would get a high grade replacement bolt from a place that has a really good selection of metric fasteners. Here's a description of bolt grades, notice 1/2 way down shows metric grades. Bolt Depot has a good selection, so it is one place to consider if you can't find a genuine Kawasaki bolt; just be sure you have the exact measurements before ordering. Ed

www.boltdepot.com/fastener-information/M...olt-Grade-Chart.aspx

Hay Jedsdead,
Thats what we are trying to avoid ,
Jed being dead.

Yes you NEED the stock OR better pinch bolt.
It looks like something else is missing from the right side (the pinch bolt side) on that setup.
I don't know what it is, but too much NOT painted red and its to clean.
Maybe a dust cover of some kind?

And I hope what I see in the top photo is a piece of straw or grass or something,
stuck to the dirt on the wheel,
and not a big ass crack.

DO NOT RIDE IT THE WAY IT IS !!!!!

We do not want JED to be DEAD.

All kidding aside ,
Don't ride it without the pinch bolt.
And you cant ride it with that kind of slop in your front wheel.

Mike

Jedsdead wrote:

Attachment IMG-20130831-00054.jpg not found

Attachment IMG-20130831-00053.jpg not found

not sure if these help

Are you sure that wheel is mounted the right way?
There are 2 tangs on the speedo gear, and they fit into
corresponding notches in the bearing cover. Also check
for an arrow on the tire sidewall for direction of rotation.


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LOL Mike...you are very observant...it was straw. As I mentioned, the bike sat for 10 years in a barn. The front tire was the last thing to go on and hasn't been cleaned yet.

I will order the pinch bolt.

I have looked at the pics on kawi.com and the only pieces that I have to put on are the axle, spacer, speedometer, and axle nut, unless I am missing something.

Maybe Ed was right above and the bearings are ruined...although I'm not sure I would get this kind of movement even if that was the case.

Nebr_Rex wrote:

Jedsdead wrote:

Attachment IMG-20130831-00054.jpg not found

Attachment IMG-20130831-00053.jpg not found

not sure if these help

Are you sure that wheel is mounted the right way?
There are 2 tangs on the speedo gear, and they fit into
corresponding notches in the bearing cover. Also check
for an arrow on the tire sidewall for direction of rotation.


.

tire is on correctly...I fretted over this for about an hour until I saw those arrows. I'm fairly certain I got the speedometer into the notched...but I will take it off and try to make sure.

Perhaps the wheel bearing are missing?

Good Fortune!

thanks Patton, but the wheel bearings are in.

Ok so I took the wheel off again. Speedometer housing looks fine. I ran the axle back through the hub, and the same shake is there. Should the axle be tight here (no play if I try to lift the axle up and down)or should there be some give.

If not, does that mean the bearings are gone?

thanks again for all the help

Yes, they should be tight. I have had to tap the axle thru with a hammer before.


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OK,,,
Nuff said,

Now you know why the bike was parked.

Sounds like bearings are PAST dead.

Still have the wheel off ?

Put the axle through it and have someone give it a slow spin while you hold both ends of the axle with your hands.

Does it feel like its full of rocks or nice and smoooooooooth ,,,,,,,

Let us know.

Mike

www.goallballs.com sells good replacement wheel bearings. If you've never replaced bearings in a motorcycle wheel, it's not a big thing to do.

1.To remove the old bearings, you need to have the front wheel removed from the bike.

2.Get some 2" X 4"'s for the wheel to rest on.

3.See if there's snap ring/circlip holding the bearings in place on both sides; if there is, remove them.

4.Place the new bearings in a freezer for a few hours.

5.Obtain a propane torch & light it off, adjusting for a small flame.

6.Move the flame around the area where the bearings are, not staying in one place very long.

7.Using a hammer and long drift punch, work the other side's bearing out through the axle.

8.Check the place where the bearing came out, for burrs, and gouges, smooth those out before installing the new bearings.

9.heat up the bearing area again & quickly drop in the new bearings, they should go right in with no problems, if they stick. carefully hit the OUTSIDE of the bearing with a large socket, never the inside, making sure the bearing is straight and seated, as this will ruin the bearing race.