Hitchcocks Forum

Whilst I'm in here, I've had to get a new speedo mechanism for the front wheel and it seems easy as to fit it but I'm trying to find info on how tight the two nuts on the axle are meant to be. One nut is on the front break side and the other is on the speedo side. I've not started as yet but I assume if you tighten these too tight it stops the front wheel rotating? Or at least adds more friction? Is that the case or is it a case of tighten as tight as you can. I assume as one wheel is in the direction of wheel rotation it'll get tightened by the bike's motion anyhow. That'd be the speedo side I assume.

Sorry I hope all that makes some sense.

Tight as you like; but do make sure that speedo drive is at correct angle for cable to run smoothly, also that speedo drive dogs are in recesses otherwise all will go tight as you tighten axle nuts. If you hear a bang as you tighten,as mine did, don't worry - it is probably the bearings pulling fully into their seatings!

If you're replacing the original factory speedo drive, your problem may be getting the speedo nut off in the first place. They tend to do them up a bit on the tight side at the factory! As to tightening the nuts afterwards, P is right. These nuts have no bearing (excuse the pun)on the running of the wheel. Tom

Hi jfw }------ don't forget that the width across the outer faces of those nuts has to fit between the INSIDE faces of the bottom of the forks. Don't be tempted to spread the fork legs a little just to make the wheel assy. fit !!

Thanks a million everybody, seems like a piece of cake, more or less

----------- Ah yes, but there's cake and then there's cake. Fruit cake (?)---wedding cake !!!

Hi jfw --- on a serious note now }--- check those 2 axle caps before re-fitting as the aluminium ones have a habit of developing cracks in them. Our hosts do a steel replacement.

I agree with Alan, steel axle caps would be a worthwhile mod.

Hi jfw,

The touque settings for the two nuts on the axle caps is 11f/lb
This prevents stress on the ally caps when doing them up by hand.

Regards, Jon

The caps aren't symetrical. They need to be the right way round. Hard to see until you've put them on the wrong way. No biggy, but a bit of a pain if you're struggeling on your own.