Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

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Grant vg
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Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#1

Post by Grant vg »

Tried a few , some repopā€¦. some oem.
None fitting quite right.
Seems to be hitting on the right as pictured.

I guess grinding is an option? The clamp not frame neck ofcourse.
Anyone encounter this issue? Any other solutions?

Thanks
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RUBONE
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Re: Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#2

Post by RUBONE »

Is the stem perfectly centered between the legs? are you fitting with bike upright and no weight on the wheel?
Grant vg
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Re: Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#3

Post by Grant vg »

Pretty centered.
Within a 1/16of an inch anyways .
If anything stem seems just a hair more forward then the legs or perhaps just the left one .

I assume not an easy issue to rectify.
Perhaps just a die grinder on the inside of the clamp to make clearence??

Bike is just sitting on the floor.
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RUBONE
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Re: Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#4

Post by RUBONE »

There needs to be NO weight on the front end to install. The forks flex that much, Don't grind it, that will just make it loose.
WhizzbangKC
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Re: Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#5

Post by WhizzbangKC »

That indicates to me that something is a bit tweaked in the front end assembly. Almost all of these old bikes have been involved in some kind of accident over the years, and that often results in small damage that isn't really visible to the naked eye till you try to assemble things again. I've taken hydraulic front ends apart and had them refuse to go back together because the lower tree was a bit twisted from an accident at some point. The old service manuals give a process to visually check for straightness and alignment, but recommend that it be sent to a shop with the specialized ability (presses, supports, and knowledge) to tweak it back. Rubone is correct that it needs to have no weight on it till the top clamp is installed.
Grant vg
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Re: Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#6

Post by Grant vg »

Damn you guys are awesome!
Removing the weight did the trick.
Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. I did not know that.
Much appreciated!

Gvg
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Re: Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#7

Post by RooDog »

I'm glad you now have it going your way, I was fixin' to start screaming, all caps, not to grind anything. Good on you..... :mrgreen:
RUBONE
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Re: Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#8

Post by RUBONE »

People don't realize that a springer will flex that much just from a slight side load. Until it is all bolted together tightly it is a very weak component.
Grant vg
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Re: Inline Springer clamp not fitting right

#9

Post by Grant vg »

No grinding and clamp is on nice and tight. Gentlemen, thank you for your service! šŸ«”
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