Dirt Bike Fork and Front Wheel Alignment Done RIGHT!

Learn how to properly install your dirt bike's front wheel and forks! Be sure to subscribe to the Ride JBI KZbin channel for more Tech Tips, JBI Spec, or Shop Talk Episodes!
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#dirtbike #motocross #suspension

[@yukonjon5964]

it's important to tighten the brake side axle pinch bolts ever so slightly before torqueing the axle nut. do them evenly so you can feel when the spring effect is out of the end cap. the nut will still pull the axle through if the bolts are set right. if not done this way the pinch bolts cannot counteract the power of the axle nut once it's torqued. the end cap may be left sprung open and slightly out of round, even after torqueing the pinch bolts. also it cannot be overstated how critical it is to get the forks perfectly aligned parallel. all your suspension work may be wasted if the forks are binding as they go through their travel. some guys make a custom spacer on a lathe. it goes between the fork tubes to set them at the perfect dimension as worked out from the component center points.

[@RideJBI]

Hello. Yes. We agree on the importance of correct install. However your recommended install process is incorrect. The left side axle pinch bolts should not be torqued before torquing the axle nut. But if your process is working well for you then please continue what you trust.

[@yukonjon5964]

@@RideJBI thanks for the reply. please see if a better description here changes anything. the reason we can slide the axle through the brake-side end-cap is because it springs open a few thousands of an inch. while the 6 mm bolts can easily overcome this spring effect and bend the end cap around the axle perfectly as it is, they may not do so once the nut has been torqued to 65 lb ft. this is because the higher force of the nut locks the end-cap in that open position, leaving a slight air gap. the 6 mm bolts are no longer able to fully collapse the end cap into place. this is not ideal. if you have ever seen dust on the axle stub when taking it out, this would be why. to get a better fit, nip up the brake side pinch bolts only slightly (about 20 inch pounds). this closes up the tolerances. torque the axle nut, and then torque the pinch bolts to the 15 lb ft. here is what i meant by feel the spring effect... there is an increase in turning resistance between the end cap flexing and when it touches the axle. evenly turn the pinch bolts until that turning increase/touch point is felt. once that contact point is known, loosen the pinch bolts a touch and then retighten them more carefully. this way we know the axle will still be moved into place properly by the axle nut. a better way to describe the technique is... partially tighten the brake side pinch bolts while spinning the axle from the non-brake side (use the axle holding tool or the head of a big bolt). when it binds in the brake-side end-cap, back off the pinch bolts till it spins again. then re-set the bolts so the axle just drags a bit in the end-cap when you turn it. this is the ideal setting to be at when torqueing the axle nut. lastly torque the pinch bolts. thanks for reading!

[@alphaaquatics9695]

What are your thoughts on spinning the wheel and squeezing the front brake to get the fork tube to align in its resting position before tightening the pinch bolts? I've also seen those who prefer to bounce the front end a few times and then tighten the pinch bolts. Last supercross I attended, I saw most of the factory mechanics do the wheel spin technique.

[@Mr.Stroke0331]

What you described is how I’ve always done it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[@someoneyouknow96]

Wheel spin method is what I've used. Sometimes the axle is slightly binding and won't move like JB showed "naturally". That's where I think the spin and brake method come in.

[@RideJBI]

That method works as well. The main take away is to understand what we are doing / trying to achieve. The axle lug can only move axial in reference to the axle. The radial movement is very minimal and should be minimal. The main take away is the forks should be parallel when mounted and torqued.

[@Pappa_Wheelie]

Awesome content!

[@RideJBI]

Glad you think so!

[@justinp9515]

You the man JB!

[@jimmysmyth7510]

Please do front fork sag for air forks!

[@chrisban6007]

I see my big ass suspension case in the background.... Lol

[@RideJBI]

👀

[@mikeburnett6222]

I know you are an Excellent suspension guru. But if a person has both forks off or have removed the left fork only, you’ve left out half of the process

[@RideJBI]

Hello. Fair point. JB already installed the other fork in order to speed up the video. The same install process applies to both forks.

[@joel387ktm]

Well i learned that ive been doing this incorrectly for yrs 😂

[@RideJBI]

Better late than never!

[@mikekraz6193]

push down on the forks then tq it

[@RideJBI]

Hi. Yes. That method works as well.