Front Fork Tools - 2004+

[Endopotential]

Thanks to this forum for all the instructions on front fork oil / seal change.  I couldn't have done it without you all! 

But there wasn't a lot of detail for the 2004+ models, where the dampening piston design changed. 
Several thread talk about using a threaded rod and a 15/16 nut to take out the piston.  For later models, this won't work as the upper hole is round and not hex-shaped.

So all it takes is a simple broom handle, shaved down to a rough taper.  Then a good pounding to secure it into the piston.  At the end, comes down to about a 1/2 inch taper.

Another thing - not sure if my bike was an exception, but the drain bolt at the very bottom was actually an inconvenient 7mm and not 8mm.
I didn't have any long hex extensions, so ended up grinding down the external shell of my socket so that it would slide into the recessed hole.

Broom handle, shaved down socket, an impact hammer and voila!

[Bluesmudge]

This has been covered before but rarely with pictures. Thanks for showing everyone what your shaved broom handle looks like. Getting the right size and shape is the hardest thing. Eventually it does work, but you gotta curse the Suzuki engineers the entire time.

What did you use to turn the broom handle? Some have carved the end into a shape that will accept a specific sized wrench. I simply locked some vice grips into it right above the top of the forks.

[Endopotential]

Yes, was hoping that the addition of pictures would help.  That was the missing link I could never find on the other threads.

The broom handle was fortuitous luck.  It was already tapered down to start with.  I then whacked it in with a hammer, and the wood was soft enough to mold itself to conform with the top of the dampening piston.

No need for any expensive ridged metal tool from Suzuki...