# Torque & Fastener Reference Correct torque prevents two opposite failures: fasteners working loose, and components being crushed or cracked by overtightening. > **Always use a calibrated torque wrench** for safety-critical fasteners — axles, stem bolts, brake calipers and suspension mounts. --- ## Published torque values | Fastener | Torque | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | **Rear rack fixing screw** | **16 N·m** | CEMOTO owner manual | | **Rear axle nuts** | Firm — wheel must be secure with correct chain tension | Owner manual procedure | | **Handlebar stem bolts (M8, D-series)** | Tighten with 8 mm hex; firm, in a cross pattern | Assembly procedure | | **Handlebar clamp bolts (M6, D-series)** | Tighten with 6 mm hex; do not crush the clamp block | Assembly procedure | | **Front axle nut (D-series)** | Firm; wheel must spin freely with no lateral play | Assembly procedure | | **Brake caliper mounting bolts** | Firm; recheck after the first ride | Assembly procedure | | **Front fender screws (M5, D-series)** | Firm with 5 mm hex; fender must not move under pressure | Assembly procedure | | **Front number plate bolt (M5, D-series)** | Firm with 5 mm hex | Assembly procedure | | **Throttle / brake lever clamp (M4, D-series)** | Firm with 4 mm hex; throttle must snap back freely | Assembly procedure | | **Pedals (eBikes)** | Firm — hand-start, then wrench finish | Assembly procedure | | **Seat post clamp** | Tight enough that the saddle cannot be rotated by hand | Assembly procedure | > **Note:** CEMOTO does not publish a complete torque table for every fastener. Where a value is not published, tighten to the general guidance below and never exceed the marking on the fastener or component. --- ## General tightening guidance | Fastener size | Typical application | Guidance | | --- | --- | --- | | **M4** | Lever clamps, small brackets, plastics | Light — these thread into aluminum or plastics and strip easily. Firm by hand plus a short wrench | | **M5** | Fender screws, number plate, panels | Firm, not forceful | | **M6** | Handlebar clamps, brake calipers, disc bolts | Firm with a standard-length wrench. A cross pattern where there are multiple bolts | | **M8** | Stem bolts, larger brackets | Firm with a longer wrench; use a cross pattern | | **Axle nuts** | Wheel axles | Firm. The wheel must spin freely with no lateral play, and must not shift under braking or drive load | | **Suspension mounts** | Shock and fork mounts | Follow the component guidance; these carry high loads | ### Tightening technique 1. **Clean the threads** and remove any grit. Debris in a thread causes false torque readings. 2. **Apply the correct lubricant or threadlocker** if specified. Never apply threadlocker to a nylon-insert self-locking nut. 3. **Start fasteners by hand** to avoid cross-threading. 4. **Bring multiple bolts up gradually in a cross (diagonal) pattern.** Fully tightening one bolt first distorts the component. 5. **Use a torque wrench** for the final pass on safety-critical fasteners. 6. **Never reuse** a self-locking nut whose locking feature has worn, or a bolt that has stretched. --- ## Safety-critical fasteners These fasteners should be checked after assembly, after the first ride, and at every service: | Fastener | Consequence of failure | | --- | --- | | **Front axle** | Wheel detachment — loss of control | | **Rear axle** | Wheel shift, chain tension loss, possible rear wheel lock | | **Handlebar stem and clamp bolts** | Bars rotate or detach — loss of control | | **Brake caliper mounting bolts** | Brake loss | | **Brake lever clamp** | Inability to brake | | **Suspension mounting bolts** | Structural failure | | **Pedal spindles** | Pedal detachment and crank damage | | **Motor mounting bolts** | Motor movement, chain misalignment, phase wire damage | ### Re-check after the first ride Components seat and settle during the first 20–30 minutes of riding. **Re-check every fastener above** after your first ride — this is the single highest-value maintenance action on a new bike. --- ## Threadlocker and lubricant guidance | Application | Recommendation | | --- | --- | | **Brake caliper bolts, stem bolts, suspension mounts** | Medium-strength threadlocker is commonly used. Apply to clean, degreased threads | | **Axle nuts with nylon insert** | No threadlocker. Replace the nut when the insert loses grip | | **Pedal threads** | Light grease. Never threadlocker — pedals must be removable | | **Seat post** | Light grease on the post, not on the clamp bolt | | **General bolts into aluminum** | Anti-seize if the bike is ridden in wet or salty conditions | --- ## Inspecting for loose fasteners A fastener check takes a few minutes and catches most emerging problems. Look for: - **Witness marks.** Paint flaking or a bright ring around a bolt head indicates movement. - **Thread wear.** A bolt that requires noticeably less torque to tighten is stretching — replace it. - **Corrosion.** Rust on a structural fastener reduces its strength. - **Missing hardware.** Nuts and bolts lost on the trail should be replaced before the next ride, not after. - **Elongated holes.** A bolt hole that has become oval indicates the joint has been moving — the component may need replacement. --- ## Fastener maintenance intervals | Interval | Action | | --- | --- | | **After assembly** | Torque all safety-critical fasteners | | **After first ride (20–30 min)** | Re-check all safety-critical fasteners | | **Before every ride** | Visual check of axles, stem and pedals | | **Weekly / after rough off-road use** | Full fastener walk-around | | **Monthly** | Check suspension mounts and motor mounts | | **Every 6 months** | Full fastener inspection with a torque wrench | --- ## Related pages - [Unboxing & Assembly](https://help.cemotoride.com/link/299) - [Pre-Ride Inspection](https://help.cemotoride.com/link/300) - [Maintenance Schedule](https://help.cemotoride.com/link/323) - [Spare Parts & Compatibility](https://help.cemotoride.com/link/382)