Top Yoke or Fork Issue?

[Speedie]

Hello All!
Just got my Z1000A1 project back from Motoliner Maidstone who checked and then corrected a slightly off centre headstock.

However they also pointed out an issue with the top yoke that it is not clamping down on the forks (both sides) there is a gap as can be seen in the photos. The bottom yoke is apparently ok. I can get the gap smaller to the point of grip but only by tightening the yoke clamp bolt right up.

The yoke looks the same compared to what's advertised on Ebay for the A1. The measured fork diameter is 35.9mm on my micrometer.

Any thoughts as to what the problem is here?

Many Thanks

Paul

[Philippe]

Hi Speedy

start by unscrewing the two big bolts on both sides of the lower yoke.
Make sure that your bike is supported so that it doesn't tip over!
Make sure that the upper yoke is as far down as possible.
Make sure that the forklegs are at the correct height compared to the upper yoke.
Tighten the two bolts of the upper yoke around the forks. Tighten the central bolt.
Tighten the big upper bolt.
Remove the support under the bike.
Get the bike on her wheels and apply the front brake.
Push the handlebar downwards a few times to make sure the forks are aligned compared to each other.
Tighten the two big bolts of the lower yoke.
If this doesn't cure the problem there's something else going on.
Good luck
GrtZ
Philippe

[r3sc]

I would say that it’s either the wrong top yoke or the correct yoke that’s been machined out to a larger diameter.

There shouldn’t be that much clearance and if you did manage to close the gap by over tightening the top yoke clamp bolts the contact between the yoke and the fork leg will be much reduced as the bore of the yoke will no longer be round.

Please don’t ride it with that top yoke.

[zed1015]

As above.
It looks like someone bored the yoke.
My guess is to 38mm for some later model forks.
You have two choices.
Either source an unmodified top yoke or reduce the existing one with some top hat sleeves.

[Speedie]

Thanks Philippe, Rob and R3sc for the quick replies!
The bored out yoke did cross my mind. I also wondered if there was different fork/yoke sizes from different models (doesn't look like it then)
The big strip down is happening in the next month or so when I'm back from hols. I will source a replacement yoke and post my findings.
Big thanks again to Z1 team!

Paul