Lower fork legs
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Lower fork legs
Gettin ready to install some powder coated legs on the train. Anyone here done them yourself? I'm a ford tech trans..diesel..hybrid..ect so nuts and bolts are no problem. Just wondering if I need the seal driver and do I need to take the whole fork tube off. Never had forks apart on any cycle...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
Just did it the first time ever myself about 2 months ago. A seal driver is great to have but some in here have used some PVC to do the job. Being a machinist, I made one. The job isn't as scary as it seems. You'll also need a long 6MM Allen wrench to remove the bolts in the bottom of the fork. I assume you have a manual. Couple hour job for a first timer.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Easy job.
Check out these how-to videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdEB76xsxWk < Part One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ORUZhPAMIw < Part Two
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywZqOv-DfK4 < Part Three
On my 41mm FL tubes I used a piece of 1.5" Sch40 PVC split down one side to drive in the seals, it was a perfect fit...
(those videos suggest using 2", I found it to be too big)
And do yourself a favor and get the "Fork Rebuild Kits" from the dealer, it includes everything you'll need, except for the two pints of Type E fork oil...
Check out these how-to videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdEB76xsxWk < Part One
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ORUZhPAMIw < Part Two
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywZqOv-DfK4 < Part Three
On my 41mm FL tubes I used a piece of 1.5" Sch40 PVC split down one side to drive in the seals, it was a perfect fit...
(those videos suggest using 2", I found it to be too big)
And do yourself a favor and get the "Fork Rebuild Kits" from the dealer, it includes everything you'll need, except for the two pints of Type E fork oil...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,975
Likes: 12
From: NJ
I put a chrome fork kit on my 08 Heritage and if I could do it I'm sure that with your mechanic background you'll have no problem. Only specialty tool I had to buy was a long 6mm allen. Already had a service manual. I made a seal driver from a piece of pvc, worked good.
The web proved invaluable as it has for just about everything I've done on the bike. Do some digging on Google and you'll find tons of vids, tutorials and fellow DIYers who are more than happy to share their experiences with you.
The web proved invaluable as it has for just about everything I've done on the bike. Do some digging on Google and you'll find tons of vids, tutorials and fellow DIYers who are more than happy to share their experiences with you.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Clarkston
Easy as hell, less than an hour for me but I'm working on a Deluxe so there is a lot that needs to come off.
I used the old seals to slowly tap the new ones in till the bottomed. It would likely be a lot easier to have a PVC pipe or driver but it was late. No leaks as of now.
I used the old seals to slowly tap the new ones in till the bottomed. It would likely be a lot easier to have a PVC pipe or driver but it was late. No leaks as of now.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 604
Likes: 22
6mm
I've been to that show a few times and my advice it to have an impact driver for that 6MM bolt on the bottom. If they're tight its pretty easy to strip out the allen head bolt. It's happened to me once and turned a few hour job into a day+ job. Now I just use the impact driver to start with.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
+1 on every one else, I am a computer geek and I did it a few years back with the help of people here, and yes for the 6MM Impact Drive.
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Supporter
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,242
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale, New York
I did mine 2 months ago and developed leaks(like an idiot I didn't replace the seals at the time) I did it again with new seals and bought a 41mm seal driver tool and it was a breeze. now i have the tool to lend out or if I need it again. it was $35.00 on E-Bay free shipping.......
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