2019-04-30 Properly Tightening Front Axle

From Abercrombie on FjrForum.com..

The forks can absolutely get misaligned when changing a front tire.  There is two ways to hold the axle while tightening the front 22 mm axle nut.  One is to install a 19 mm hex head in the right side of the axle to keep if from spinning while tightening the axle nut.  The other is the way will likely cause fork alignment issues if not done properly.  The other way is if they tighten the pinch bolts on the right side to hold the axle from spinning while torquing the 22 mm axle nut.  This method can pull the two fork bottoms together causing fork alignment issues and stiction.  When you use the front pinch bolt to hold the axle you will see the fork side out after torquing the axle nut when you loosen the right side pinch bolts.  Either way you tighten the front axle nut, its a good idea to loosen the right side pinch bolts, compress the forks a few times with the front brake on and re-torque the right side pinch bolts.  Bouncing the front suspension before snugging up the pinch bolts will align the fork tube giving you the best ride, and least fork seal and bushing wear.