Play between axle and bearings; is that normal?

[GappySmeg]

As per title, is it normal to have a small amount of play between the axle, and the inner bearing race?

Context:- have a front wheel removed from my 2007 Honda Fireblade. (Forks have been posted off for a rebuild)
I thought I'd check the bearings, so I inserted the axle back in the front wheel (without the spacers). If I push the axle up/down/back/forth I can detect a tiny amount of play... on very close inspection, I believe it's play between the axle itself and the inner surface of the bearings.

Bearings themselves seem sound... spin nicely, no notchiness or noise.

So, is it normal to have a very small (but perceptible) amount of play between the axle and the bearings?
My thoughts are, perhaps it's only when fitted to the forks and all torqued up that it all becomes tight?!?

[bgunn]

GappySmeg said:

My thoughts are, perhaps it's only when fitted to the forks and all torqued up that it all becomes tight?!?

Correct, there's a spacer between the bearings, so you clamp the two inner races against the spacer making an assembly with no play.

Remember to assemble the front wheel, forks, and brakes properly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYHV78tWs1c

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTve7M4zOlE

Otherwise the front end will bind up, be crooked, and the brakes will judder and bind..

[GappySmeg]

bgunn said:

Correct, there's a spacer between the bearings, so you clamp the two inner races against the spacer making an assembly with no play.

Remember to assemble the front wheel, forks, and brakes properly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYHV78tWs1c

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTve7M4zOlE

Otherwise the front end will bind up, be crooked, and the brakes will judder and bind..

Thanks for the reassurance, and thanks for the links, very useful stuff!

[ThreadKiller]

bgunn said:

GappySmeg said:

My thoughts are, perhaps it's only when fitted to the forks and all torqued up that it all becomes tight?!?

Correct, there's a spacer between the bearings, so you clamp the two inner races against the spacer making an assembly with no play.

Remember to assemble the front wheel, forks, and brakes properly:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYHV78tWs1c

and

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTve7M4zOlE

Otherwise the front end will bind up, be crooked, and the brakes will judder and bind..

Well…. I didn’t know all that. Every day is a school day.