Top triple-clamps on the cheap?

[Steve Northrop]

 >>I'm afeared each time I loosen them to adjust the steering head......

The Service Manual says to loosen the LOWER fork clamp bolts when adjusting 
the steering head bearings. Nearly every bolt on the bike goes into 
aluminum. An inexpensive, 3/8" drive torque wrench would be a wise 
investment.

Steve in Western NY
'96 GPZ1100
'02 Daytona 955i
"You Can't Fix Stupid", Ron White

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Don Wilcox" <leanintree at gmail.com>
To: "Kawasaki GPZ1100 discussion" <gpzlist at micapeak.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2007 6:37 PM
Subject: Top triple-clamps on the cheap?


Hi Guys,
Been dinking with my steering head bearings (likely soon to replace again
since I think I may have fouled up the last install, D'oh!). Going through
my routine monthly tightening jag. Here's the problem...

The pinch bolts that hold the top of the fork tubes are in fine shape. The
aluminum triple clamps that they thread in... meh... not so much. See
attached pic. For some time, the left was rather stripped (legacy of the
previous owner), but with enough threads to bite ok. Now the right has done
the same, probably by me. Steel bolt has chewed off the aluminum threads
inside the clamp itself, so I'm thinking that unless I just want to hog it
out and put a seperate bolt and nut on it, there's really no fixing it.
Don't get me wrong, they're both tight, but I feel it's only a matter of
time until they won't be. I'm afeared each time I loosen them to adjust the
steering head, and I know one of these days I'll pull them apart, tighten,
and they won't pinch again.

Looked up the price on Ron Ayers.. Dayumm!! $269??!! they're aluminum, not
GOLD!!!

So... anyone have a basket case that maybe the forks are wrecked and they
might not need the top clamp?  (took me long enough to get around to the
question didn't it?)  Or maybe know of a direct replacement in the Kwaka
stable?

Don in GJ
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