Main steering head bolt torque

[Stuntman Vern]

Hi all,just joined group,can someone tell me the torque for the main steering head bolt please (22mm) in the centre of the top yolk,many thanks.

 

[Jim]

You didn't say what year...

 

[Jim]

Forgot my manners... Welcome to the forum!!
Here's an unmarked torque chart for future reference.

 

[Stuntman Vern]

You didn't say what year...

View attachment 361973

Sorry bud it’s an 82

 

[Jim]

That '77 chart should work then.
Got some pics of your bike? We do enjoy a picture or two 'round these parts.

 

[Stuntman Vern]

Thanks,I actually found that list but didn’t really understand the terminology,thank you for helping me out buddy

 

[Stuntman Vern]

That '77 chart should work then.
Got some pics of your bike? We do enjoy a picture or two 'round these parts.

 

[Jim]

Sorry bud it’s an 82

Nice lookin' bobber!
Just checked my '78 to '80 manual ('82 will be the same for all practical purposes) and it says the same... 14mm bolt to 40 ft-lbs.

 

[Stuntman Vern]

I had literally,bought the bike on a Wednesday,insured it on the Saturday,the Sunday took it out and a woman in a Passat literally pulled out right in front of me!,so it’s being changed a bit and obviously being rebuilt,new fork Stanctions etc etc

 

[Stuntman Vern]

Thanks again mate.

 

[Jim]

Well that sucks! You come out of it OK?

 

[Stuntman Vern]

Well that sucks! You come out of it OK?

Yeah just bruised the old love eggs a bitshe paid up without going through insurance,so I didn’t lose it

 

[Stuntman Vern]

That’s why I called myself stuntman vern,jumped a Passat with no ramp

 

[5twins]

Just be aware that you may have to fool around a bit with the steering bearing adjustment because applying that final torque to the top nut can tighten them up some. And if not already done, this would be the perfect opportunity to install tapered bearings in the neck.

 

[Max Midnight]

Just be aware that you may have to fool around a bit with the steering bearing adjustment because applying that final torque to the top nut can tighten them up some. And if not already done, this would be the perfect opportunity to install tapered bearings in the neck.

To avoid this:
With the the bearings torqued and top yoke on but fasteners loose I use a spring balance to measure how much effort is required to pull the fork from the lock stops. Note the reading.
Start to tighten the top nut in increments and measure the pull to move the forks. Keep tightening until the effort is the same as without the top nut tightened. If it goes over back the nut off until you get the same base reading.
Tighten the clamp bolt and the jobs a good 'un.

 

[Stuntman Vern]

Blimey,okay I’ll give it a go,thanks for your help

 

[Its been a long time]

For better or worse, I take a slightly different approach. The bearings preload is set by the ring nuts under the top yoke. Having set that, I make sure the top yoke is put in position properly. I then tighten all the fasteners on the top yoke apart from the centre steering stem bolt. At that point, everything tight, the centre bolt isn't doing much. I then finally tighten the centre bolt. Bearings shouldn't be affected, at least on my bike it isn't when I do it that way.

 

[Stuntman Vern]

For better or worse, I take a slightly different approach. The bearings preload is set by the ring nuts under the top yoke. Having set that, I make sure the top yoke is in position properly. I then tighten all the fasteners on the top yoke apart from the centre steering stem bolt. At that point, everything tight, the centre bolt isn't doing much. I then finally tighten the centre bolt. Bearings shouldn't be affected, at least on my bike it isn't when I do it that way.

That’s pretty much what I did,thanks buddy