Raising Triple Tree (need jack??)
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 6
From: Southwestern PA
Raising Triple Tree (need jack??)
I just got my bike back from the shop (and as you read on, you'll see why I take it to have someone do the work) getting some mods done before the riding season. I have an '11 Street Bob for reference, although I'm sure my question would apply to any bike.
At any rate, I had them put new bars on and move the front signal from the bars down to the forks. Dummy me forgot to tell them I wanted them on the lower triple tree and as luck would have it, they got installed on the top. No big deal, should be an easy fix. I asked them if there would be any problem with me switching them myself, and they said shouldn't be a problem, just make sure to remove and replace bolts one at a time. OK, sounds good.
So I get home and start working on it and they must not have given me back the stock bolts that were replaced with the new signal mounts (I went with the Drag Specialties mounts for reference). So impatient me decides to give it a whirl removing both bolts from the same side and swapping them out (keep in mind I do not have a jack). I did the right side and no problems. I moved to the left side, removed the top bolt, no problem. Started to loosen the bottom bolt and the triple trees slid down until the top of the fork came into contact with the handle bars.
My question is, do I need a jack to be able to slide the triple trees back up to where they belong? I tried lifting by myself, but between balancing the bike and trying to be ready to screw in the top bolt, I didn't have any luck. I could get a buddy from work to give me a hand if it is doable with 2 people without a jack.
Any thoughts/advice?
Thanks!
At any rate, I had them put new bars on and move the front signal from the bars down to the forks. Dummy me forgot to tell them I wanted them on the lower triple tree and as luck would have it, they got installed on the top. No big deal, should be an easy fix. I asked them if there would be any problem with me switching them myself, and they said shouldn't be a problem, just make sure to remove and replace bolts one at a time. OK, sounds good.
So I get home and start working on it and they must not have given me back the stock bolts that were replaced with the new signal mounts (I went with the Drag Specialties mounts for reference). So impatient me decides to give it a whirl removing both bolts from the same side and swapping them out (keep in mind I do not have a jack). I did the right side and no problems. I moved to the left side, removed the top bolt, no problem. Started to loosen the bottom bolt and the triple trees slid down until the top of the fork came into contact with the handle bars.
My question is, do I need a jack to be able to slide the triple trees back up to where they belong? I tried lifting by myself, but between balancing the bike and trying to be ready to screw in the top bolt, I didn't have any luck. I could get a buddy from work to give me a hand if it is doable with 2 people without a jack.
Any thoughts/advice?
Thanks!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
To make it easy, get your buddy to help you but you could do it alone if you had to. One of the easiest ways to do this might be if you have a scissor jack from a car, just put that under your engine with a board on top to protect the engine. Slowly jack the front of the bike up until the tubes are in the right place. Doing this on the side stand might be tricky, which is why I recommend the friend.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 6
From: Southwestern PA
Thanks for the tip. I'll get a buddy to give me a hand using a car jack and a board as you suggest. One person to steady the bike, the other to jack it up a little and tighten the bolts.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
Yep, you'll have it licked in no time. If you don't have the manual, you need to have the following end result:
1) Fork tubes should be 0.450-0.500" above top triple tree (measured from top of tree to top of fork tube cap)
2) Torque the pinch bolts to 30-35ft-lbs.
1) Fork tubes should be 0.450-0.500" above top triple tree (measured from top of tree to top of fork tube cap)
2) Torque the pinch bolts to 30-35ft-lbs.
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