Forum

[2cvandy]

Yeah Deanobats, that's quite a normal set up, I just thought that combined with a pinch bolt that didn't pinch it could potentially be a problem. Dennis C, I think maybe you read a different thread? I don't recall anybody saying the wheel was moving sideways on the spindle.

[Dennis C]

Thanks for that 2cvandy?, reading a different thread?, so Deanobats didn't say, "The right hand fork is then free to float back and forth along the spindle until you tighten the pinch bolts. It does look odd and I guess the temptation would be to push it hard up against the Speedo drive as it looks like that's what stops the wheel drifting along the axel to the right, but, as you say, if you do that then the forks aren't straight.".

[Deanobats]

Probably my fault for not making it clear. The left hand spindle end is about 16mm, the right hand side 20mm, so I guess there is a 4mm step in diameter just before the speedo drive. Tightening the left hand axle nut should pull the speedo drive and the wheel bearings onto the left hand fork and hold them there, so the wheel does not slide back and forth along the axle. The right hand fork end can then slide back and forth on the axle until you get the forks straight and then tighten the pinch bolts. Luckily, given the fact that I can't tighten the pinch bolts enough, the right hand fork has no role in stopping your wheel from falling off

[Dennis C]

No Deanobats not at all, I understand how the wheel is held, my post started "if" it was Andy's response I answered. But the other fork must clamp securely on the wheel spindle to be safe.

[Gwilly]

Jeez!! I can see how the wheel is held to the axle/spindle by the machined shoulder, spacers and nut..

But if the whole plot is reliant on a six or eight mil pinch bolt keeping the forks parallel and secure to the spindle, then it means we are also reliant on the machining tolerance of our indian friend to produce a axle and bore that fit tightly together and pinched together securely.

God help us.. I reckon it should be a product recall..

[2cvandy]

Okay Dennis C, I totally agree that "If the wheel can slide side to side along the axel then something is very wrong" but that's quite a large "if", because nobody said it could. In Deanobats posting he did say "I guess the temptation would be to push it hard up against the Speedo drive as it looks like that's what stops the wheel drifting along the axel to the right". Note that it "looks like" that's what stops the wheel drifting, he doesn't say it stops the wheel drifting because the wheel wasn't drifting in the first place. What he did say was " The right hand fork is then free to float back and forth along the spindle until you tighten the pinch bolts". Note that it is the RH fork which is free to drift along the spindle, not the wheel. All of which is a perfectly normal front wheel fitting, the only issue here is the build quality (or lack of) on an Indian made bike. If Enfield made aeroplanes, would you fly in one?

[Deanobats]

That's great, now I know my Enfield has got it's own Jesus bolt!

[Dennis C]

Andy, yes I would fly in one, it would be tested and airworthy, unlike the bikes it seems. Page 1, post 11, quote "This only manifested itself as being loose at a precise point when turning the steering and only when the wheel was loaded by the fork end sliding about an eighth of an inch along the spindle", unquote, not much punctuation in the quote, wheel sliding?, fork leg sliding? your guess is as good as mine that is why I stated "IF IT WAS", it should not be able to, but Enfield India made it and it seems anything can happen.

Quote " the only issue here is the build quality (or lack of) on an Indian made bike.". True if they can make a spindle loose in the fork clamp is it beyond the realms of possibility that they can machine the spindle wrong in other ways and cause it not to fully pull the wheel into place?, I genuinely think it possible.

[Deanobats]

An update: Lola went back to the dealers today to have the forks looked at. There was much tugging, scratching of heads and photos taken, the consensus being that it is likely that the hole in the fork end for the spindle was machined too wide. A warranty repair was suggested with a new fork end and spindle on order.

[Dennis C]

Good result Deanobats, perhaps the dealer is not so bad after all?, just a great shame that the poor punter has to find a fault the dealer missed, aah in that case yes they are bad!!!.