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 bought that fork cap socket a few years back...works great...I'd recommend it.

 

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.

 

Expresso? Maybe a double shot of tequila.

 

Thanks for the good advice

 

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.

 

I'm about ready to cut the fork springs. This is ridiculous

 

Maybe you should post your issues here. Someone will chime in.

 

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.

 

Just saw this on another thread. Think this will work. Thank you WKNDS!!!