Handy tips for dismantling forks (on a VFR750)?

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

Those electric ones are actually pretty good even compared to air.

Just been googling them and even the battery ones seem to get decent reviews. I suppose they're bound to be ok for occasional use, probably not quite so if they're being abused.

[yorkie_chris]

I have not owned one, just used one! no idea about longevity!

P.S you can come over here to use my air tools if you want

That sounds like a good offer, when you thinking? Also, by over here presumably that's Halifax?

[Sid Squid]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

That is not damper rod that is cartridge.

For the purposes of this conversation - same difference. Note page specified - cartridge holding tools abound .

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

You can get some tool for top of cartridge but they can be PITA. Sometimes you can do castellation on end of a 22mm pipe to fit.

Holding tool only reliable way of restraining damper, rattle gun might work, uncertain though. If Kayaba fork tool will need square end - approx 20mm.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chIfris

I do not see the point of threadlock there, I do not see there is likelihood of them coming undone.

Possibly but OP stated 'previous owner' not so, threadlock standard on all damper rod/cartridge retaining bolts.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by Sid Squid

If Kayaba fork tool will need square end - approx 20mm.

Pretty sure those are showas, I have set of spare pistons here out of some of similar era and they are same decent flowing 3 port jobby as SRAD or early K.

Damper rod and cartridge are not same for this discussion, we talking about forks... one works, other one is for closing doors with

After much swearing and effort and one last roll of the dice, I managed to get the damper rod bolt out without the need to waste YC's time.

Now I just have the problem of removing the seals. Both of which have rusted, swollen and will not budge at all using the slide hammer-esque action with the fork bottom. After a couple of attempts, the fork bottom got "stuck" (presumably more accurately the bushes got lodged together), so it's looking like I'm going to nacker the bushes getting the seals out. Bummer.

Think this is just going to be a case of lots of swearing, sweat and trying not to nacker anything else while trying to get these sodding things out.

My current setup comprises the forks being held in the yokes, a piece of acryllic / composite block with a hole in it over the fork leg so it rests on the fork bottom and a piece of angle steel resting on the block to give a good whack to try and force the forks apart. Have tried to dig the seals out with prodjing tools (screwdrivers) being careful not to damage the chrome, but they aint shifting like that.

The fun of bike maintenance on an older machine...

[tigersaw]

As it happens I've been doing forks last couple of days, having bought two sets from ebay to make a good pair.
Separating the fork leg from stanction - forks out the bike, fork leg on floor gripped between feet, then pull stanction upwards from fully depressed to either clunk, or after a few times a big ping as they come apart. 50/50 if the seal and bush come out as well or need picking out after.

Originally Posted by tigersaw

As it happens I've been doing forks last couple of days, having bought two sets from ebay to make a good pair.
Separating the fork leg from stanction - forks out the bike, fork leg on floor gripped between feet, then pull stanction upwards from fully depressed to either clunk, or after a few times a big ping as they come apart. 50/50 if the seal and bush come out as well or need picking out after.

That's how easy it's meant to be. Mine are a right bar steward to separate. Been giving them some right pasty and don't appear to have moved them one iota!