Wheel Spacers : V-Twin Forum: Harley Davidson Forums

shakerharley · 11-04-2009, 08:21 AM

Just installed a progressive spring lowering kit on my 2007 Street Glide and I need some input on the wheel spacers. After putting everything back together the wheel spacer on the right side of the bike (if your sitting in the seat) has a gap of about an 1/8 of an inch between the fork and the spacer. I know I put the spacers in correctly and went right by the book reassembling the front end so is this normal or do I need to push the fork over to get rid of this space? The manual states to put the drill bit through the axle hole and with the fork touching the bit tighten the clamp. The left side spacer is flush with the fork and wheel so I need to make sure for safety purposes everything is correct.
Thanks,

nightrob · 11-04-2009, 08:28 AM

Yes the wheel spacers need to be seated against the forks. DONT ride it until you have this corrected. Loosen everyting up including the saddles and readjust so that they are touching. After re-adjusting it make sure the wheel spins freely.

shakerharley · 11-04-2009, 09:13 AM

Just to clarify that I did put everything back together correctly. One spacer is larger than the other so which side does the larger spacer go on? I tried to keep everything separated according to which side parts came off of but I do have a big Akita which kept walking through my work and I not going to say the parts couldn't of gotten mixed up.

nightrob · 11-04-2009, 09:16 AM

Well seeing that you have a gap on one side and not the other, I would assume that you have them reversed. There should be zero gap.

shakerharley · 11-04-2009, 11:09 AM

I not sure how to post pictures on this site but I have surfed a few online pictures and it appears there is a space just like what I have on these photos. So now I'm really confused does the space belong there or not?

chester1957 · 11-04-2009, 11:19 AM

There is a step in the axle, you torque the axle to the left leg, the right leg just clamps on the axle. As long as the brake caliper and disk line up your spacers are most likely correct. The gap is fine.

nightrob · 11-04-2009, 11:19 AM

Shaker,

I dont have a glide, but I work on Dynas Sporties Softies and Road kings quite often. I have never seen a gap between a spacer and a fork tube. Try posting with photobucket and perhaps I will be able to see what you are talking about

Rob

chester1957 · 11-04-2009, 11:29 AM

Do not pull the right leg in to remove gap, this will put the fork tubes and sliders in a bind and take out the bushings and guides inside the fork assemblies in very short order.

nightrob · 11-04-2009, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chester1957

Do not pull the right leg in to remove gap, this will put the fork tubes and sliders in a bind and take out the bushings and guides inside the fork assemblies in very short order.

The spacer should butt up against the bearing and the fork slider. there shouldnt be a gap any where in there

shakerharley · 11-04-2009, 11:37 AM

I did torque the left side first and when I went to do the right the fork was dead on when I put the 7/16 drill bit through the axle so that's where I tightened it down. That's when I noticed the gap. I rode it a little just to see and couldn't tell any problem and the spacer is still solidly in the place it was originally, no movement.

nightrob · 11-04-2009, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakerharley

I did torque the left side first and when I went to do the right the fork was dead on when I put the 7/16 drill bit through the axle so that's where I tightened it down. That's when I noticed the gap. I rode it a little just to see and couldn't tell any problem and the spacer is still solidly in the place it was originally, no movement.

With the way it is installed right now, can you move the spacer right or left or spin the spacer?

chester1957 · 11-04-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightrob

The spacer should butt up against the bearing and the fork slider. there shouldnt be a gap any where in there

I say it's OK, you say it isn't. I'm not going to argue the point.

nightrob · 11-04-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chester1957

I say it's OK, you say it isn't. I'm not going to argue the point.

Im not arguing with you... but all the years and wheels I have installed, there has never been a gap. It would be nice to see a picture, but if there is a gap I would say it is wrong. I would just hate to see this guy head off somewhere and eat it because the wheel was installed wrong....pics would be helpful

chester1957 · 11-04-2009, 12:00 PM

I have seen more with gaps than with out. I have seen a few in my day also.

shakerharley · 11-04-2009, 12:06 PM

I can't even move the spacer with a screwdriver. I will post pics but it will be later tonight. When I searched for (Chrome Front Wheel Spacer Kit For Touring Models 41610-02) on the web it gave some images that show the wheel from the front and it appears that the gap I have is present in the pictures. I just don't know how to post them here.