Front end alignment question

[OpFlash]

Hey there was out in the garage today working on my XJ. I recently had the new bridgestone spitfires mounted up to the wheels. I managed to get everything back together but for some reason had a slight issue concern with the front end. ok I managed to put everything back together following instructions from owners manual and checking through the parts diagram. upon completion of assembling the front end I noticed that the right front disk was rubbing on the outside portion of the caliper while the left disk / caliper looked like it had perfect spacing. my final solution was to pull the right fork leg away from the disk essentially making the gap between the caliper and disk equal on both sides. The manual states stroke the right front fork to make the space equal but that didnt seem like an option as the bike was on the lift. I did drop the bike down and also made the suspension travel a bit but the problem remained until i "pulled" the right fork leg away from the disk a bit. I noticed that there was an approx 1/8" gap when looking at the axle. the gap was from the end of the fork on th right side to the spacer on the wheel. My question is, Is this normal to wind up with a small gap. the pinch bolt is tight and I did torque the axle nut to specs. Can the pinch bolt eventually loosen and then will I have lateral play of the wheel along the axle? This was pretty much my only option as when the fork made contact with the spacer on the wheel and everything was "sandwiched" together tightly the right caliper made contact with the disk.

[HobbyMan]

hmm. I don't know about the XJ but I will tell you what I know. On the XS standard, the axle nut is on the right fork and the axle pinch bolts are on the left fork When you tighten the axle nut, you are compressing the whole wheel assembly. THe enlarged diameter of the end pulls everything together. As long as you have a cotter pin in, that will never loosen. The axle clamp was put there to adjust the free space between the disc and the groove in the fork. I normaly have to pull or tap on the fork to get it in just the right spot. The spacing should be even. Then if you torqued it properly, you should be fine.

[John]

The Clymers manual states that you have to do the same thing to the XS, so you done it right. The gap on the axle will be there, that is why you have the pinch bolt there.

[OpFlash]

sweet thanks for the quick reply guys I was just a bit nervous about it. Safety first! I havent had the chance to ride her yet because i didnt have enough time to put the exhaust back on. Ill let you know how it feels with the new spitfires on. Now the dust seal / spacer have you noticed any movement from this thing due to the gap. I dont care too much about it now that im confident that the wheel shouldnt fall off!