How difficult to remove forks?
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Club Member
Joined: Dec 2014
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From: SWFL
How difficult to remove forks?
I'm considering installing ohlins cartridges in my fork, once the snow falls. If I do, I'll need to pull my fork tubes and send them down to motorcyclemetal in Fl. According to the service manual, it looks pretty simple... 8 bolts and the calipers come off (Duals) axle, fender, and 4 bolts on the trees. Is it as simple as that? Any installation concerns? Seems equally straightforward - no alignment issues as the axle will basically self align them, right?
Anything I'm not thinking about? Thanks.
Anything I'm not thinking about? Thanks.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 618
Likes: 100
From: MA
Taking the forks off is pretty straight forward but take a ride height measurement first. This will be done with the front wheel off the bike. Hook to lower triple clamp and then measure down to the axle center.
When you reassemble the bike use that measurement to set the forks back to where they belong. Chances are when the cartridges are installed the forks will be different lengths from stock. Then you put the other side on using the axle to align it with the other side. Slowly move the second fork up and down in the triple clamp until the axle spins as easy as it can. This is down without the wheel on. The top of the forks might be at slightly different heights through the top of the triple. It's possible when they were assembled the springs, spacers and other pieces used one side got pieces on one side of the tolerance scale and the other side got pieces on the other side of the scale. It shouldn't be a large difference.
When you reassemble the bike use that measurement to set the forks back to where they belong. Chances are when the cartridges are installed the forks will be different lengths from stock. Then you put the other side on using the axle to align it with the other side. Slowly move the second fork up and down in the triple clamp until the axle spins as easy as it can. This is down without the wheel on. The top of the forks might be at slightly different heights through the top of the triple. It's possible when they were assembled the springs, spacers and other pieces used one side got pieces on one side of the tolerance scale and the other side got pieces on the other side of the scale. It shouldn't be a large difference.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Davie, FL
Fork Removal
Just unbolt after everything else is loose and off from the trees on down. Very easy. Remember to inspect all parts than use Zip Lock plastic bags & a Sharpee to mark all. Throw them in a box. Make sure you compare all. Use Never-seeze on axle. When you are just sitting around clean your caliper pads, better than doing Honey-Do's when the snow is flying. When changing fork internals it is a good time prior to figure if you wish to change the slider finish.
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From: SWFL
Just unbolt after everything else is loose and off from the trees on down. Very easy. Remember to inspect all parts than use Zip Lock plastic bags & a Sharpee to mark all. Throw them in a box. Make sure you compare all. Use Never-seeze on axle. When you are just sitting around clean your caliper pads, better than doing Honey-Do's when the snow is flying. When changing fork internals it is a good time prior to figure if you wish to change the slider finish.
I was considering black sliders, but I like the mix of black and silver/chrome I have, so I'll prob stick with what I have. Now to figure out how to have $1800 vanish from the bank account...
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2015
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From: las vegas
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From: SWFL
i've got ohlin piggy backs (get em from howard .. good deal .. good service) on the rear .. i am in the process doing a race tech swap for the fronts .. i am letting the factory do the install .. gunna run about 450$ .. valves ..springs seals and oil .. plus shipping .. i think that race tech will be a better value .. i put the big $$ on the rear . just saying
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: southeast PA
You better hope so, especially since the post you quoted is from the guy you're sending your stuff to.
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From: SWFL
Yeah, I was kinda joking with Howard...
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2014
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From: Palm Desert,CA
Super easy, check out my Ricor intiminator and traxxion springs thread. I went back and forth as to remove or not. 15 minutes max... Install is same but you will need a torque wrench either inch lbs or ft lbs (but low numbers), if I remember right for the pinch bolts.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 5,465
Likes: 6,325
From: pacific northwest
If you have a good set of tools, they are not hard to remove, you will need to jack up the front end and remove wheel first. had mine off a while back to install intiminators, not hard at all to do, just am not that impressed with the intiminators though.
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