How do i tighten the front forks?

Sounds like your headstem bearings are shot or in need of adjustment.



Put your bike on the centrestand, jack the front wheel off the ground and have somebody pull the front wheel back and forward while you put your finger on the top bearing joint. [under the top triple clamp]



If you can feel the movement nibbling on your fingertip this is where the slop is.



Adjustment is made by loosening the top nut and tightening the adjuster under the triple with a 'C' spanner.



A cheap, suitable 'C' spanner can be sourced at a bicycle shop.

1978CafeRacer said:

They wobble forward and backwards but not side to side, is there a tightening bolt around here somewhere?

Click to expand...

wow,thats an odd one.they are secured in two places.bolts 17 here





and at the bottom of part 8,you will have 2 14mm bolts



if all those are secure,then its one of the bearings,i guess,have failed

Taper roller bearing kits are good but if the head races are good but if you are on a budget you can just replace the ball bearings,



http://cgi.ebay.com/50-1-4-302-stai...412?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item484161c77c



$8 inc shipping.You need 18 Top and 19 bottom.Pack with Lithium grease or Moly grease.





I also suggest you renew the front and back wheel bearings as they are cheap,



You need four(Two front/Two back).They are the same for the front and back,



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/All-...5669281QQptZMotorcyclesQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

Never replace just the balls in the bearings. If you have a notch feeling in the steering your races are dented. You have to replace the races and bearings if you have the "notch" feeling in the head bearings.



If you need new head bearings you are better off to go with tapered roller bearings for two reasons. They are cheaper than stock Honda parts and they last longer because they have more surface to surface area.



Just like the stock roller bearings, too tight is dangerous to ride with. You are better off to have to re-tighten bearings than to have them too tight to begin with. Bearings that are too tight can lead to tank slapping, whereas loose bearings just give you a poor feeling (a feeling of steering wander) in the steering and sometimes a bang as the slack goes out when you put the brakes on or hit a pothole.



Never replace just part of your bearings ...