Steering Head Nut and Tab Washer

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G'day, I have just adjusted the steering stem nut on my 1971 Commando to eliminate a slight clunking noise within the head. Problem solved. However when I undid the nut and associated washer I discovered something rather disturbing. It has a large normal washer which was bent over to prevent nut turning. Ok so far. However there is nothing that prevents washer turning and hence both turning together. I was expecting a slot maybe in stem to which washer would have locating tab to prevent washer turning and therefore the nut. But nothing. This bike was rebuilt before I owned it so am unsure what original setup is but on consulting manuals it seems to be just a washer and nut. I'm confused. There is nothing to stop nut and washer just undoing and falling off. Can someone please enlighten me ?
 
ozzie041974 said:
G'day, I have just adjusted the steering stem nut on my 1971 Commando to eliminate a slight clunking noise within the head. Problem solved.

The standard sealed bearings used 1971-on (with the stem nut below the lower yoke) are non-adjustable, so the nut was simply loose and required tightening.


ozzie041974 said:
However when I undid the nut and associated washer I discovered something rather disturbing. It has a large normal washer which was bent over to prevent nut turning. Ok so far. However there is nothing that prevents washer turning and hence both turning together


What you need to do is to bend a portion of the lock washer UP into the section between the ribs of the lower yoke. With a section of the washer bent up, and another section of it bent down against the flat of the nut then the nut will be locked in position.
 
OK thanks. Mine just had a normal flat washer fitted with only one edge bent down over nut. The other side wouldn't even reach the ribs of the yoke. It does make sense now if it is supposed to be a double tab washer with one side long enough to reach between ribs of yolk. Even still, it seems like a bit of an after thought by the design department if this is how it was originally was. 'Oh shit we forgot to put a nice recessed slot in stem to hold special washer. Oh bugger it just bend it up far enough to go between ribs on yolk' No wonder the poms went out of business !
 
ozzie041974 said:
Mine just had a normal flat washer fitted with only one edge bent down over nut. The other side wouldn't even reach the ribs of the yoke.

Do you have the correct washer? As it should be sufficiently wide enough to form an upwards tab?

Steering Head Nut and Tab Washer




ozzie041974 said:
Even still, it seems like a bit of an after thought by the design department if this is how it was originally was. 'Oh shit we forgot to put a nice recessed slot in stem to hold special washer. Oh bugger it just bend it up far enough to go between ribs on yolk' No wonder the poms went out of business !


It's a simple enough idea, but it appears to work, so there was no need to make it more complicated in my opinion.
 
Thanks for the photo. The washer fitted on mine isn't as wide as that one. Will purchase alternative washer if I can't find one. I might have been a little harsh on the poms, but they did after all export us to the end of the earth.
 
ozzie041974 said:
Thanks for the photo. The washer fitted on mine isn't as wide as that one. Will purchase alternative washer if I can't find one. I might have been a little harsh on the poms, but they did after all export us to the end of the earth.

Get the correct washer, if you can.

They only shipped away the "good ones"...
 
Ok, maybe problem wasn't solved. Walked in the shed next day swiveled handle bars side to side on centre stand no problem. Off centre stand, wheel on ground, 3 distinct clunks side to side. Might be up for new bearings as well as washer. No movement though when shaking forks. Oh, old bikes you gotta love em !!
 
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