Fork caps socket...what I used
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Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 401
Likes: 19
From: Middleboro, MA USA
Fork caps socket...what I used
I thought I'd post this hoping it might help someone in the same position I was in the other day. That and nothing's on the boob tube.
I used a large adjustable wrench to get the caps off. That was no sweat. Getting the caps back on while fighting the spring tension turned out to be a PITA. I fought with it for 20 minutes and everytime it felt like I had the threads catching, it would just pop off again. It was making me nuts. I found a few tools online that would make this easy, but I wasn't waiting so I hit 2 auto parts stores, Home Depot and a sears looking for a 35mm or 1 1/8 socket. No luck. I stopped at Advanced Auto parts and found an Autocraft axle nut socket in 35mm for 16 bucks. It is a monster so I had to pull my handlebars off and lay them on the tank to fit the socket in, but it worked great. It was effortless. Now if I had used my head and had taken the bars off before, I prob could have gotten the cap on with my hands, but whatever. It was worth the 16 bucks.
Next time I plan to change my fork oil I'm going to get the purpose made socket for the caps. I found a couple online.
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/9100085
http://www.mbsmfg.com/hafocapnutso.html
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0139/
Hope it helps-
C
I used a large adjustable wrench to get the caps off. That was no sweat. Getting the caps back on while fighting the spring tension turned out to be a PITA. I fought with it for 20 minutes and everytime it felt like I had the threads catching, it would just pop off again. It was making me nuts. I found a few tools online that would make this easy, but I wasn't waiting so I hit 2 auto parts stores, Home Depot and a sears looking for a 35mm or 1 1/8 socket. No luck. I stopped at Advanced Auto parts and found an Autocraft axle nut socket in 35mm for 16 bucks. It is a monster so I had to pull my handlebars off and lay them on the tank to fit the socket in, but it worked great. It was effortless. Now if I had used my head and had taken the bars off before, I prob could have gotten the cap on with my hands, but whatever. It was worth the 16 bucks.
Next time I plan to change my fork oil I'm going to get the purpose made socket for the caps. I found a couple online.
http://www.jpcycles.com/product/9100085
http://www.mbsmfg.com/hafocapnutso.html
http://www.motionpro.com/motorcycle/partno/08-0139/
Hope it helps-
C
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Could you use it for an Expresso when you don't need it for the forks?!
I've just fitted a 2007 swingarm to my old 1990 FLHS and the new axle is 36mm. I could probably use a socket for that in time, so it is annoying the fork caps are not the same size.
I've just fitted a 2007 swingarm to my old 1990 FLHS and the new axle is 36mm. I could probably use a socket for that in time, so it is annoying the fork caps are not the same size.
Last edited by grbrown; Apr 12, 2010 at 06:25 AM. Reason: Added para.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 104
Likes: 19
I bought the proper low profile socket with o-ring insert when I added chrome lowers to my wifes bike. I too found it a bit of a struggle to screw back on the cap. What I did was to take my 1/2" impact gun with the socket attached and push down on the back of the impact while turning the socket with a wrench. DO NOT USE AIR. The added weight of the impact gun helped greatly to compress the spring but, also acted as a guide to keep the cap straight while starting the threads.
6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 2
From: United States
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: Niagara, Ontario, Canada
Maybe you should post your issues here. Someone will chime in.
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6th Gear
Joined: Dec 2020
Posts: 11
Likes: 2
From: United States
I just cant compress the spring enough to start the fork tube cap. Using a socket and same as Terrapin88 did, I'm having a hell of time trying to get these on. First 35mm narrow glide (Aftermarket) that I even owned--the couple other OEM forks never had the springs this long. Its a 78-81 dual disc fork--the oem ones I have are another 78-81 and a 74-77.
Last edited by Frank22; Sep 6, 2022 at 08:23 PM.
