Help!!! stripped bottom fork screw
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha, WI near Milwaukee
Help!!! stripped bottom fork screw
I stripped the screw at the lower forks when changing the fork oil. The small screw that you need to remove to drain the fork oil. Any ideas on how to fix it. I would hate to be stuck buying a chrome fork lower.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
Tape around the screw with some heavy tape (Gorilla,etc) so you don't scratch the leg and use a vice grip on it. The heads of those screws are big enough for the vice grip to grip. I'm sure others will chime in with other solutions, don't jump off the bridge just yet!!!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 4,741
Likes: 45
From: Indian Land, SC
That means possibly drilling and taping which means metal particles inside the leg which means if it was mine, remove the fork from the bike and do it right....But that's only me....
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,156
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
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Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 602
Likes: 51
From: central MN
If it was mine, I would drill and tap to a larger size. Then, I would get a couple cans of starting fluid. Start out by spraying into the top of the tube and letting it run out your freshly redone hole. Lots of it. Oh, and NO SMOKING or other ignition sources, outside is preferable, blah, blah, blah. Don't be afraid to use a lot of ether. Then I would spray directly into the hole in the leg several times with a wand attached, wand inside and pointing up, each time letting it run back out. Then some more down from the top of the tube. Finish with a Q-Tip or two, mostly for inspection purposes.
I have been using starting fluid as a spray cleaner for years. Quick evaporation, cleans super, and pretty much will not harm any surface. Also the ultimate weapon for greasy stains in fabric/upholstery. Just keep your head working....
I have been using starting fluid as a spray cleaner for years. Quick evaporation, cleans super, and pretty much will not harm any surface. Also the ultimate weapon for greasy stains in fabric/upholstery. Just keep your head working....
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Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 304
Likes: 1
From: Ohio
Also, if you do tap it a bigger size, try smearing some grease on the tap.
The grease will help hold the chips on the tap and keep them from getting inside the fork.
Turn the tap one turn, then take it out and clean it, re-grease and go another turn.
Keep doing that till it's done.
Don't use a spiral point tap cause they push the chips in front of it.
Use a straight flute or right handed flute tap.
The grease will help hold the chips on the tap and keep them from getting inside the fork.
Turn the tap one turn, then take it out and clean it, re-grease and go another turn.
Keep doing that till it's done.
Don't use a spiral point tap cause they push the chips in front of it.
Use a straight flute or right handed flute tap.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: Heathsville, VA. ( Northern Neck)
As said.....Tap it, run a larger screw.......don't forget to install the o-ring washer on the new screw. If your concerend w/ metal shavings......run some cheaper lower weight fork oil thru to flush it out, then fill her up & roll on.........