haynes manual Vs Real life .. top yoke removal

Haynes manual seems to say i should have no problem removing my top yoke. I couldn't even tickle the 32mm in the centre... a quick search online tells me that alot of people elevate the front end to do this , but how do you keep the bike stable ?

Am i just totally weak and thats why i can't turn it , or will i have to lift the front end ?

thanks in advance

john

I've always loosened the top yoke nut with the bike on the side stand. Assuming you have a 6 point socket or spanner, turn it against the steering stop, put pressure on the wrench, and rap it good with a plastic or hard rubber mallet. Wearing a heavy glove on the hand holding the wrench is often a good idea.
If this doesn't work, try heating the nut with a heat gun or propane torch.

[DJ123]

Originally Posted by JohnStMartin

Haynes manual seems to say i should have no problem removing my top yoke. I couldn't even tickle the 32mm in the centre... a quick search online tells me that alot of people elevate the front end to do this , but how do you keep the bike stable ?

Am i just totally weak and thats why i can't turn it , or will i have to lift the front end ?

thanks in advance

john

What are you using to undo the nut? You'll need a 1/2" drive 6 point socket and a ratchet/power bar with a decent amount of leverage to crack it.

Like WG I also had mine on the side stand and the forks against the steering stop

a 2ft long breaker bar is what you need, you should have no problem cracking the nut off then

breaker bar it is.... i'll try when it stops raining. thanks !

Just curious why your doing this.