FJowners.com

General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: Tor-King on May 14, 2017, 11:11:34 AM

Title: Suspension rebuild question
Post by: Tor-King on May 14, 2017, 11:11:34 AM
Hi everyone!
I just finished rebuilding the swing arm components on my 3CV (needle bearings and spherical bearing were rather tired).  When I mounted the relay arm to the frame and swing arm, I later noticed that I installed the bolts from the right side of the bike.  In the shop manual, it appears that they are installed from the left... Will that have an impact/adverse affect?  In other words, with the way the suspension moves, will the bolts loosen or tighten with the bolts installed from the opposite side?

Thanks,
Dean
Title: Re: Suspension rebuild question
Post by: FJmonkey on May 14, 2017, 11:53:13 AM
I don't think you will have a problem. The order of assembly is often the driving factor of the direction of the fasteners. Once it leaves the factory the only thing left is the engineered mates. The nut for the front sprocket is a good example, can only be put on one direction. Once the fastener is tightened/locked the movement of the assembly should not affect the fastener.

For the OCD (or CDO) then you have to follow the factory order of assembly. No further explanation is required. FYI, I think we all have some of this in different levels. 
Title: Re: Suspension rebuild question
Post by: red on May 14, 2017, 02:41:46 PM
Quote from: Tor-King on May 14, 2017, 11:11:34 AMHi everyone!  I just finished rebuilding the swing arm components on my 3CV (needle bearings and spherical bearing were rather tired).  When I mounted the relay arm to the frame and swing arm, I later noticed that I installed the bolts from the right side of the bike.  In the shop manual, it appears that they are installed from the left... Will that have an impact/adverse affect?  In other words, with the way the suspension moves, will the bolts loosen or tighten with the bolts installed from the opposite side?  Thanks,
Dean
Dean,

Good question!  For anything that moves both ways, I do not believe that either way is "better" or "worse" in terms of loosening the hardware.  I have an aviation background, and I am a great believer in safety (locking) wire.  I've had riders looking at the hardware that I "safetied" on my bike and ask if I am overly concerned about those things coming apart.  I have to say, I am NOT at all concerned about those items.  Safety wire obliterates such worries.  Typically the wire comes in 0.032"  and 0.041" and 0.051" diameters, and it is non-rusting stainless steel.

What, you say you have no pinholes for safety wire in your hardware?  Shame on the maker, sure, but hey, NO problem!  You can get drilling fixtures that make it easy to drill the corners of the hardware.  The fact that such gadgets are made (and sold) proves to me that I am not an OCD person, and in fact just the opposite.  I am never worried that something I safety-wired may be coming apart while I ride.

https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=5738 (https://www.pegasusautoracing.com/productdetails.asp?RecID=5738)
-