Chrome Fork Project
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
Chrome Fork Project
I've been collecting all the parts I need for a front end project - Chrome lowers, Progressive springs, polished rotor, chrome spacers, chrome dust caps, braided brake line, chrome fasteners, seals, etc. I wanted this done before the Freedom Run on June 20th, and it's supposed to rain most of this week, so, I started tearing things down after dinner tonight.
Of course, no project is ever as simple as it's supposed to be, so, I had to strip the first fastener I tried to remove - a stupid little set screw in my chrome axle covers.
Got the caliper off without incident (new Lyndall Z pads to go in when it all goes back together). Removed the front wheel after dealing with the stripped set screw in the axle cover, the mounts for the quick release windshield, the fork brace, and the fender. More stuff there than I imagined.
The turn signals mounts are held on by the lower pinch bolts, and the windshield mounts are held by the upper pinch bolts. At that point, it's just a matter of sliding the fork tubes out of the trees, right? Not quite. Some WD40, some twisting and turning... I might have spoken a bad word or two. Got one leg out. The other, I ended up unscrewing from the fork tube plug. Nothing went flying, because it couldn't.
More WD40, a wooden dowel and a rubber mallet was required to get the fork tube plug out of the tree. Then, it was pretty much done. Pulled the spring, screwed the plug back on, and I was done for tonight.
So far, I have less than $300 into this project.
Tomorrow is the easy part. I give the forks & a box of new parts to my local wrench. When he gives them back to me tomorrow night, they'll be all shiny and chrome. Then I just have to figure out how to put it back together.
Of course, no project is ever as simple as it's supposed to be, so, I had to strip the first fastener I tried to remove - a stupid little set screw in my chrome axle covers.
Got the caliper off without incident (new Lyndall Z pads to go in when it all goes back together). Removed the front wheel after dealing with the stripped set screw in the axle cover, the mounts for the quick release windshield, the fork brace, and the fender. More stuff there than I imagined.
The turn signals mounts are held on by the lower pinch bolts, and the windshield mounts are held by the upper pinch bolts. At that point, it's just a matter of sliding the fork tubes out of the trees, right? Not quite. Some WD40, some twisting and turning... I might have spoken a bad word or two. Got one leg out. The other, I ended up unscrewing from the fork tube plug. Nothing went flying, because it couldn't.
More WD40, a wooden dowel and a rubber mallet was required to get the fork tube plug out of the tree. Then, it was pretty much done. Pulled the spring, screwed the plug back on, and I was done for tonight.
So far, I have less than $300 into this project.
Tomorrow is the easy part. I give the forks & a box of new parts to my local wrench. When he gives them back to me tomorrow night, they'll be all shiny and chrome. Then I just have to figure out how to put it back together.
Last edited by MidnitEvil; Jun 2, 2009 at 12:37 AM.
NICE! man if you need a hand let me know! we are going to start doing a Tues night dinner run every Tues there is a good group of us, some guys from oswego are (redrubacon) and a few others... you and the wife should join us!
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,899
Likes: 8
From: Aurora, IL
Those Chrome lowers are super easy to do! You have already done the hard part! Your only 10-15 min per side away from completing the job.
If I remember correctly, you remove the bolt going up through the fork from the bottom, slide the dust cap up and remove a snap ring and remove the lower.
The springs are pretty easy to do as well.
If I remember correctly, you remove the bolt going up through the fork from the bottom, slide the dust cap up and remove a snap ring and remove the lower.
The springs are pretty easy to do as well.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Joliet, Illinois
Supposed to be rain and thunderstorms Tuesday & Wednesday. Bike should be back together and on the road by Thursday morning.
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Thread Starter
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,235
Likes: 65
From: Joliet, Illinois
JC... You posted pics in a another thread, right? Your bike looks great with your new additions. Stock rotor on that shiny new wheel with shiny new forks? Should have gone polished rotor, eh?
JRK - PM'd you. We'll most likely be in on that.
Red, RDS - He owes me a bit of work, and is snagging me some minor parts to finish things out and take care of some details. Involving him is worth it.
JRK - PM'd you. We'll most likely be in on that.
Red, RDS - He owes me a bit of work, and is snagging me some minor parts to finish things out and take care of some details. Involving him is worth it.