If your front axle isn't threaded in, you solved it. Nothing a little persuasion doesn't fix.
That's not a helicoil. That is over tightened, pulled out aluminium Harley thread. Those bolts don't have to be THAT tight.
You will now have to install an insert.
To put the front wheel together; put it together loosely, then tighten the pinch bolts on the left side, then compress the forks by pushing down on the wheel a couple of times with the brakes on hard, then tighten the axle nut to specified torque (To pull the two side together), then compress the forks again (to align everything), then the right side pinch bolts (if there is right pinch bolts).
That gap might mean you have bent forks. Yes, it should be "snug".
With everything still loose, loosen off the pinch bolts in the triples and turn the fork tubes, one at a time and watch that gap. If the gap changes, you got bent forks.
- tool user errorI used the torque specs in the manual not sure what happened.
If the fork tubes are bent...as you move them in the triples..they will move closer / further away from the axle.Can you explain what you mean by turning the fork tubes and watching the gap change?
Well I got them snug by tapping a mallet and pushing with hand so I am just going to leave it at that for a while but thanks for the Input guys.
@frekeyguy I think the previous guy used lock tire... Anycase I ordered a new piece and torqued 10lb under what the manual says just in case