problems putting forks back....

[Slavik]

just bought a replacement for my bent forks......can't put them in

both of them feel totaly stuck....I oiled up both braces, it was fairly hard to get it through the bottom brace, and they feel completely stuck going through the second one (got in about 1/3" through)......is there something that I am not doing to make the whole process easier?  :dunno:  I thought the forks suppose to just slide back in...all of the screws are out of the braces....the fork diameter didn't change over the years, right?

any feedback would be great...

[ktrim]

you may need to spread the clamp a bit.  I used a large chisel and tapped it into the split on the clamp with a rubber mallet.  Dont hit it too hard, you dont want to bend the clamp just open it bit.  you may have to use 2 chisels one on top clamp and one on the bottom,  spray the forks with wd40 for a little lube

[Blueknyt]

if your forks were bent from a wreck, it's possible the top and bottom clamps shifted a bit, might want to loosen the steering stem a bit so the top clamp will move a little.  then put your tube in, tighten the tube clamps then the steering stem nut.

[Kerry]

I reassembled my forks on Saturday.  I noticed that they tended to grab onto the rubber grommet-like thingie at the upper clamp, and tried to push part of it through the clamp with them.  I had to back them out and line things up "just so" to prevent that.

Can you tell if that's happening on your bike?

[Slavik]

definately going to check for the rubber rings squized in between the fork and the clamps......I will also try the chizel or large screwdriver to get the clamps further apart.......as far as loosening the steering stem......is it just loosening one /two fasteners, or the tightening everything back up could a pretty involved process?  It definately makes sence that the way the forks were bend, some shifting could have happened in the brace itself....Thanks guys for the help   , I am out of twon now, but definately will update when I get back

[knowlsey]

had the same problem, spread the clamps, use some fine sand paper, rub inside of clamps, spray some furniture polish around it as this dries away after awhile

[Slavik]

...couple of screwdrivers hammered in the clamp did the trick.....but just discovered that my handlebars are bent....this is just BS, the more I put it together the more stuff I find wrong  :guns:

in any case, any advise for the handlebars for an '93 ...I am looking to make my posirton lower and more stretched out....(i did PM srinath already) any dealer recomendation for quality bars?

[jake42]

...couple of screwdrivers hammered in the clamp did the trick.....but just discovered that my handlebars are bent....this is just BS, the more I put it together the more stuff I find wrong  :guns:

in any case, any advise for the handlebars for an '93 ...I am looking to make my posirton lower and more stretched out....(i did PM srinath already) any dealer recomendation for quality bars?

check out the Arizona motorsports site.  they have a lot of types of bars that will fit the gs. I've had the drag bars and the superbike bars on mine.  they drag bars are almost completely flat and they're really short, like almost two inches shorter than stockers.  I like the superbike bars, they are a little lower than stock and look nice in my opinion.

Jake