Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech Silly Question

okay...I am trying to put the fork caps back on but I can not push them down and turn them. What am I doing wrong? Is there a trick to this?

Thanks.

Huh, I don't remember having any particular problem when I had my forks open but then again, it's been a while. What did you do to the forks?

They're a pain in the ass. Gotta catch just right.

I got me a helper to push down on the cap with a squared off piece of broomstick handle while I turned the wrench. Be patient and start them straight and true. Once you have 3-4 threads engaged, your good to go, wind 'er up. A little non metallic anti-seize applied doesn't hurt either. Aluminum and steel is always prone to galling, don't ask me how I know.

I added some older style fork shrouds on top (I had them powder coated), and drilled out the upper yoke for new risers. I also had my bars re powder coated. They look so much better.
I just do not remember these caps being so tough when Z helped me rebuild the forks last spring.

Thanks Ryk, I'll get a helper.

I presume that you know to have all weight off the fork & the fork fully extended. I presume that the forks are in the trees and the top pinch bolts are loose. if so, a good 6-point socket, downward pressure, correct alighnment, & patience should get it done.

silly answer- sometimes those impossible to start threads can be started by goin' in REVERSE and with finesse you can feel the thread snick in place and there ya go, voila. then go in the correct orientation

but ya hafta have violin fingers and be on the sensitive side, yet tuff

Here's my trick. Wrap a strip of duck tape around the shoulders of the nut, then shove a deep well socket on. You now have something to grab hold of and as Wade suggested, reverse to catch a thread press firmly and turn clockwise.

And to steal a line from John Lee Hooker,
Boom, boom, boom, boom

They have a really fine thread and they are easy to mess up, but should not be to hard to get on if there is no weight on the front. Did you put a longer spacer or anything in there that would create more pressure on the preload?

Brent, what worked for me was using a 22mm socket with a 6" extension. Removing the handlebars, screen and anything else that might bump your wrist. Push down with your thumb on the extension, guide the socket with your left hand and as Wade mentioned slip it back (CCW) until you feel that little snick then ease it forward. A little lube on the threads will help. No noise in the garage, absolute silence and this was a zero beer job for me.

Oh yeah, as BO2S4 said all the weight off the forks

Mike

Z - You are a jerk. , but you already know that.
I realized after I took them off, that I probably didn't need to. On the bright side...the new black fork shrouds look great. When I get it all back together I'll take a picture. Thanks for all of the advice, I do have the forks fully extended, I have about 3 inches sticking out I can get the caps down, I just can't turn them. I think the socket with extension seems like a good idea.

After a long weekend with my Dad, I went down to tackle the bike again. GMike, your idea worked like a charm. I went and bought a 22mm socket and extension and no problem.

Thank you!!