FORKS

[sprint_9]

Anyone got any easy tricks on how to get the stupid forks apart?  I cant get the allen bolt on the end to turn.

[paternoster2012]

allen bolt?

To take off the cap u just pop off those plastic covers and use a 1/2 drive then drop the forks out of the triples

unless you are tlking about complely deisambling the fokr whoch i have no idea

[mjm]

Anyone got any easy tricks on how to get the stupid forks apart?  I cant get the allen bolt on the end to turn.

Until Kerry responds with complete pictures etc - - this has been covered a bunch of times - basically you need either an impact wrench (air or electric - not an impact driver) or a special tool to hold the inside pieces in place.  Some people have had better luck loosening the allen bolt before opening the top of the fork since the spring will provide some resistence.

You might try the search function - I know that there ae complete specs & pictureson how to make the special tool out of standard "Home Depot" bolts for a couple bucks.

[sprint_9]

Ok, thanks for the tips, Ill try a search and see what I come up with.

[sprint_9]

How exactly does that bolt tool work?  I found a good post by Kerry from a while back but I dont understand how that bolt holds everything in place with out wrecking something.

[Kerry]

The best place to look is in the Bad Day Wrenching on the GS thread.  The 2nd post by joefromsf shows how the tool works in conjunction with an Allen wrench, which is held in place with some ViseGrips or a real vise (and a friend, ideally).

Joe gets all the credit.  All I did was come up with a variant configuration for the tool, which I have successfully used 2 or 3 times now.

[sprint_9]

Sweet all the pics are workin now, I looked earlier today and they werent all workin.  Thanks for the help everyone, hopefully Ill get this babies apart now.  

[Kerry]

Sweet all the pics are workin now, I looked earlier today and they werent all workin.

Same for me ... luckily I was able to tweak the URLs for the photos in Joe's 2nd post and make them work better.

hopefully Ill get this babies apart now.  

Good luck!  And let us know how it comes out.

[sprint_9]

Great job with the url's, Ill keep you guys updated, Im in the middle of a full tear down of my GS at the moment.  Ive got everything completly apart, getting things ready to go to sand blasting and powder coat.  I want to have the bottom portions of the forks the same color as the frame so thats why I need to get them off.

[paternoster2012]

the heat from poweder coating wont negativly affect the fork legs?

I was thinkin about doing that as well but the 400 degree heat may warp them or thats what i was afraid of

[sprint_9]

Hmm, not sure thats a good question.  I doubt it would though, if it doesnt mess with the wheels the fork legs should be ok.

[Mk1inCali]

I've got the crazy inside the fork tool that I'd be willing to start a loaner program for if somebody would be interested.  It's only worth 10 bucks or so, and it's kinda heavy, but if somebody needs it...PM me and I can send it out.

[Blueknyt]

if you leave the cap and springs in before poping the allen it helps, if you have access to air tools (like me ) then a little Blip with airgun does the trick nicely.

[V8Pinto]

I made up one of those "in the fork" tools too.  I'll also loan it out.

You shouldn't need it though if (as someone else mentioned) you leave the springs and caps in when you are removing the allen bolts.

[sprint_9]

Ive tried that method, the one where you leave everything in the forks and then compress them.  It doesnt work with hand tools, I had the forks bottomed out and the insides were still turning.  I dont know anyone that has a deep allen head socket that I can borrow so Im probley going to look for some bolts tomorrow.  If I cant find any Ill probley take one of you two up on your offer to loan yours out.  Ill keep you updated.  Thanks.

[Kerry]

Two questions:

1) Is it cost-effective to ship the "tool"?  It might cost the same (or less?) to make your own.  I guess we won't know until somebody tries to ship one.

2) For the folks who are able to loosen the damper rod bolt without the "tool" (using compressed air, or whatever): How do you

tighten it again?[/list:u] :dunno:

[Mat]

2) For the folks who are able to loosen the damper rod bolt without the "tool" (using compressed air, or whatever): How do you tighten it again?[/list] :dunno:

i never had a problem tightening the bolt after i broke its spirit with air tools

i just used a ratchet and it went in just fine

maybe i got lucky

or i am just that damn good :mrgreen: