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Fork Caps - Socket Size ???

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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 02:22 PM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by KBFXDLI
What do you guys use to push them back in there and get the caps started back on? I was thinking of changing the oil in my forks for some heavier oil and was wonderinfg if a fluid extractor would work versus removing the fork tube and inverting?
I used the socket to push it back down with and that worked pretty good.

I think its a 35mm socket but I used a 36mm since my set goes from 34 to 36 and it worked fine.
 
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Old Mar 23, 2010 | 02:27 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by KBFXDLI
What do you guys use to push them back in there and get the caps started back on? I was thinking of changing the oil in my forks for some heavier oil and was wonderinfg if a fluid extractor would work versus removing the fork tube and inverting?
Open the top, and bottom of the tubes on the bike, and drain the oil.

Remove the wheel, brake and fender, and remove the forks from the trees. Place the bottom of the fork tube on the ground (on a towel for protection) and press (by hand) the nuts back on. Turn left 'til you hear the threads click, then right to get them started.

Hope this helps.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 01:39 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by KBFXDLI
What do you guys use to push them back in there and get the caps started back on? I was thinking of changing the oil in my forks for some heavier oil and was wonderinfg if a fluid extractor would work versus removing the fork tube and inverting?
Did it by hand, working on my Nightster replacing the OEM front fork springs with Progressives. The trick I think was to thread the cap in a bit with out the spacer, then slowly unthread the cap with slight outward pressure to "mark" the exact spot in the rotation that the threads meet. Keeping the cap in rotational position, slip the spacer in, then with both hands push down on the cap until you feel it bottom out. Now rotate it clockwise as best you can while maintaining the pressure to keep it bottomed out. It is a bit tricky, it took me 3-4 tries on each side to get the threading started. Once you've got the threading started by hand, apply your wrench/socket easily, making sure your threads are aligned correctly, and not just caught. I suppose if the pre-load tension for a Street Bob/Dyna is greater than the Nightster's, then this manual process might be problematic. I guess it also depends on your hand strength/dexterity.
 

Last edited by nightsterO; Feb 18, 2011 at 01:42 PM.
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 02:00 PM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by thedonthere
the correct size is 36mm I believe. all the fasteners having to do with the front end are metric. Showa forks(jap)
its actually a 35mm but a 36 will probably work. They're much more common. I had to special order the 35.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 07:31 PM
  #15  
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I used 1 3/8" it felt a bit snugger than the 35mm.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 07:41 PM
  #16  
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Originally Posted by kpolak
Open the top, and bottom of the tubes on the bike, and drain the oil.

Remove the wheel, brake and fender, and remove the forks from the trees. Place the bottom of the fork tube on the ground (on a towel for protection) and press (by hand) the nuts back on. Turn left 'til you hear the threads click, then right to get them started.

Hope this helps.
Nice tip on the "Turn left 'til you hear the threads click, then right to get them started." Better than the technique I suggested. Actually in certain situations it might work well in combination with my technique. My technique gets you close, your technique closes the deal. Story of my life.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 07:42 PM
  #17  
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FYI, these large size sockets, metric and SAE, are readily available at Autozone. I was suprised at how complete their sockets display was.
 
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Old Feb 18, 2011 | 10:11 PM
  #18  
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I found mine at Auto Zone too. 35mm
 
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Old Apr 6, 2011 | 06:31 AM
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is the 35mm the size I would use for a 2010 wide glide as well? thank you
 
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Old Apr 6, 2011 | 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by gtsouth
is the 35mm the size I would use for a 2010 wide glide as well? thank you
IMO it's 35mm; not sure though.

If you have a mm ruler you can measure it yourself. If you don't have one:
35 mm equals 1 3/8 inch...

Once you've found out, please let me know and I will add that info to my ***dyna models metric sizes database***
 
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