 Fork question
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You can always tell when I'm knee deep in a project on the bike cause I post a LOT. Anyway...
I took my forks off to paint them and also change the oil. First one (brake side) went fine. Took the spring out, turned it over, cycled it a few times to get most of the oil out. Second one went the same, but I can't move it! It spins, but won't compress/cycle. Any ideas? Is it supposed to spin?!? By spin I mean, the fork leg can rotate axially relative to the body of the fork. If that makes sense... Thanks!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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The spinning is fine. The inner tube is held by the bolt that's in thru the bottom of the fork and it's really only kept in place by a spring so it should be able to rotate freely. As for the fact that it won't compress?? I've never had that problem. I usually end up doing a set of seals by the time my oil needs changing so I usually just take them right apart. You could check to see if the seal lip is folded over and keeping it from compressing? and there is a steel bushing that the fork tube slides in, It may be caught on there?? Sorry I couldn't be more help. NR. 
1982 Pontiac Trans Am...K.I.T.T. in progress.
"It looks like Darth Vaders bathroom in here..."
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Re: Fork question
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Am I gonna hurt it by banging on it?!?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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If you want to try I'd put the cap back on so you don't damage the threads or spray oil on the ceiling depending on which way you hold it up, and tap it lightly on a block of wood instead of the concrete floor.
1982 Pontiac Trans Am...K.I.T.T. in progress.
"It looks like Darth Vaders bathroom in here..."
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Re: Fork question
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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Are you sure it's not fully compressed and won't extend? That happened to me last year. Freaked me out. I couldn't extend the tube fully from the lower leg. Had to mount it back on the bike and whack on the lower leg with a chunk of wood and a hammer.
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Re: Fork question
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I think the rotation (spinning) is actually a good thing.
The back side of the lower bushing is a high wear area.
Last I knew, replacement bushings were not available - at least from Triumph.
So, a twist of 1/4 turn or so at oil change will get it back on some fresh material.
Said Molly to James, that's a fine motorbike.
Richard Thompson
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Re: Fork question
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It won't go either way! It wiggles like 1/8", but thats it. It feels like there is something it is hitting and I can hear something rattle aroudn in there... Looks like I might be taking it apart! REading the manual now... Anything I should look out for?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
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Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
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I dunno. Can you go ahead and remove the bolt in the bottom?
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Re: Fork question
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Yeah I can eventually. Paint's drying right now  I was reading thru the manual, and they scare you with needing new seals and special tools and what not. Plus I remember something about a broom stick posted here... From the diagrams, it looks like it's basically that one SHCS holding the damper rod into the bottom which would release the whole shabang. Am I right?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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Joined: Jan 2005
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
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You painted them while they were assembled? You rebel you...
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Re: Fork question
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Well I was trying to avoid dissasembly in the first place... I'll post pics of my paint setup. I drilled holes in a piece of MDF and slid the forks into that upside down with tape and paper around the shiny stuff. Also helped drain any remaining oil. So I painted them upside down, but it works! I also rolled up a couple small pieces of paper and slid them into the axel holes, then let them unwind so they protect the holes from paint.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
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Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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Quote:
from the diagrams, it looks like it's basically that one SHCS holding the damper rod into the bottom which would release the whole shabang. Am I right?
Pretty much.
The problem is the damper is likely to turn with the bolt.
The (pointed) broomstick/dowell is about holding the damper.
An air impact also helps break it loose.
Once the damper is released, you can yank on the fork tube using the bottom bushing to knock the top one out.
Said Molly to James, that's a fine motorbike.
Richard Thompson
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Re: Fork question
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Cool thank. Do you just plain push on the damper rod wigth the stick? Or do you wedge the stick in next to the rod to keep it from spinning?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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Should be Riding
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Quote:
Are you sure it's not fully compressed and won't extend? That happened to me last year. Freaked me out. I couldn't extend the tube fully from the lower leg. Had to mount it back on the bike and whack on the lower leg with a chunk of wood and a hammer.
OK so both my legs are kinda stuck... I think they are stuck in between fully extended and fully compressed because I stuck a spring in one and the spacer sticks out like 4 inches. When you say you whacked it with a chunk of wood, where were you smacking it and in what direction?
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
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Bump!!
Come on people, poppa needs some help!
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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Check Pants
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Check Pants
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Sure you don't want to powder-coat them versus paint? I'd guess the paint would chip easily compared to powder-coating.
Al
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Re: Fork question
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Quote:
OK so both my legs are kinda stuck... I think they are stuck in between fully extended and fully compressed because I stuck a spring in one and the spacer sticks out like 4 inches...
That is normal. There's a little pre load on the springs. You have to hold the tube with one hand then press and turn the cap with the other. Be careful not to cross thread it. I'm not sure if this solves the whole problem or not but I hope it helped?
1982 Pontiac Trans Am...K.I.T.T. in progress.
"It looks like Darth Vaders bathroom in here..."
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Re: Fork question
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Quote:
Quote:
Are you sure it's not fully compressed and won't extend? That happened to me last year. Freaked me out. I couldn't extend the tube fully from the lower leg. Had to mount it back on the bike and whack on the lower leg with a chunk of wood and a hammer.
OK so both my legs are kinda stuck... I think they are stuck in between fully extended and fully compressed because I stuck a spring in one and the spacer sticks out like 4 inches. When you say you whacked it with a chunk of wood, where were you smacking it and in what direction?
I used a short chunk of 2x4 between the fender mounting tab and the hammer, tapping fairly lightly downward on the top of the 2x4 until the lower leg "popped loose" and extended. Just a few taps usually pops it loose. But when you take the fork back out of the yokes, make sure you don't let it fully compress again.
I suppose if you have a rubber mallet you could use that directly on the fender mounting tab, tapping downward. The wood might be rough on your paint. I had mine powdercoated.
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Re: Fork question
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Way too late for the powdercoat VS paint conversation people... If the paint chips in a couple years, I'll get them coated when I have the coin. This is a $10 gamble I'm willing to take. Thanks FJ, I'll try that. Guess I'll put the yokes back on my bike first  Here's the thing... you're supposed to fully compress them in order to measure the oil level! You really think 4" of spacer exposure is normal? I only remember like 2" when I switched springs...
Benny
Black & Silver '02
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Not enough miles ridden
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Re: Fork question
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Joined: Feb 2007
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Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
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I think it was like 2" of spacer sticking out when I did Wendys forks to lower them. I could be wrong but that's how I remember it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Fork question
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Should be Riding
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WOOHOO!! You guys were right, they were fully compressed. I just simple held the upper fork in my hand, and tapped the lower part (fender mount) with the softer side of my deadblow. Tap tap tap, they came free. I'm a happy guy!! Thanks for all the help.
Benny
Black & Silver '02
Too many mods to list
Not enough miles ridden
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