Fork Spring Removal

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 7, 2009 | 12:16 AM

chromedome

Thread Starter

Road Master

Joined: Oct 2007

Posts: 1,077

Likes: 1

From: The High Desert, SoCal

Fork Spring Removal

Would like to put new springs in my Deluxe. I know I have to drop the forks to get the springs out and in. (I say that like I know what I'm talking about...I don't) It doesn't seem to complicated and I would like to do this myself instead of paying an indy. Been trying to do a lot more on my own though I am no wrench. Is there anyone who can give me a strep by step on how to do this?

Kind of gathered this:

Remove bars to get to fork nut
Remove shroud and headlamp
Losen the fork nut with breaker bar (don't remove)
Lift bike
Drain fork oil
Remove fork nut keeping downward pressure so it doesn't missle.

*Now what do I have to do to get the forks to drop down from the triple tree enough to get access to the cap and remove the springs?

*What keeps the forks from falling down all the way from the weight ofg the wheel?
* Is the fork nut 1 3/8
* What size flat side socket for the cap?
* What common problems could I encounter?

Might be basic questions or stupid but trying to learn,

Thanks

Sep 7, 2009 | 06:32 AM

Blk and Chrome

Elite HDF Member

Joined: Jun 2008

Posts: 4,109

Likes: 9

From: Connecticut

I've seen it done two ways, the way I did it was to do as you said and then just tighten the lower clamps arter you slide them down enough to change the spring. I have seen people remove the upper tree, bars etc and do it that way. Drop-ins don't require you to drain the tubes.

Sep 7, 2009 | 07:09 AM

FastHarley

Former Sponsor

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 5,360

Likes: 453

From: Davie, FL

I believe you are mis-understanding what a fork nut is.

The big chrome thingy on the top of the triple tree is a fork BOLT.
Slide the fork tube down once you have the fork BOLT removed, the fork bolt does not have any tension.
You can see how to do it on my DIY page under my heading Do It Yourself of the How To R&R Your FL Front End PDF Download found on my web site found HERE.
When you have fork tube down (and re-tighten the bottom triple tree pinch bolt) with enough room to get this socket on the fork cap (which is kind of a bolt also)

The same fork cap is found on all hydraulic 41 mm forks since 1948 ~ Current. You can buy this from either Mac Took or Motion Pro. If you do not have this tool step away from the bike and do not try to put a monkey wrench on it. Did I mention that using air is also important as a breaker bar does not exert enough initial torque to break it loose. Of course all of the above is in my own opinion (IMO) but does work for me.

Forgot to say that from Motion Pro or Mac tool the price is $17 and Jim's is around $50 ~ $60.

THe socket I am talking about is a slot like thing with rounded ends and does not look like this socket

Last edited by FastHarley; Sep 7, 2009 at 07:31 AM. Reason: Socket pricing & socket discription

Sep 11, 2009 | 12:27 AM