DIY Fork Spring Compressor
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 96
Likes: 1
From: Michigan
DIY Fork Spring Compressor
Could not think of a better way to spend this rainy Monday Memorial day other than to make a Fork spring compressor out of some scrap material.
Finally got around to changing out the lowers for Chrome and new Fork slider covers.
> Completely rebuilt forks with all new seals and bushings etc...
> While trying to re-assemble the spring I don't think I've ever sworn so much or have been this pissed off ever - while working on something. It's a complete mother Fuc#$r trying to compress the spring and tighten the top cap. None of my past bikes were nearly this much of a bitch.
> This morning I set out to set it right - spent a few hours making a tool that I will hopefully have for a while.
Came up with this simple design after searching for what else is out there.
> All the steel was laying around.
> Just machined an aluminum adapter for the top cap.
> Made a delrin block to hold the lower in place (works for both forks).
> Machined a piece of threaded rod.
> Welded everything up - good to go!
> Total $ was ~7$ (threaded rod and long coupler nut)
Holy sH$t - this is a million times better!! It's so nice to have the right tool to do these things. It's nice and steady and worked pretty well.
- Go wings.
Finally got around to changing out the lowers for Chrome and new Fork slider covers.
> Completely rebuilt forks with all new seals and bushings etc...
> While trying to re-assemble the spring I don't think I've ever sworn so much or have been this pissed off ever - while working on something. It's a complete mother Fuc#$r trying to compress the spring and tighten the top cap. None of my past bikes were nearly this much of a bitch.
> This morning I set out to set it right - spent a few hours making a tool that I will hopefully have for a while.
Came up with this simple design after searching for what else is out there.
> All the steel was laying around.
> Just machined an aluminum adapter for the top cap.
> Made a delrin block to hold the lower in place (works for both forks).
> Machined a piece of threaded rod.
> Welded everything up - good to go!
> Total $ was ~7$ (threaded rod and long coupler nut)
Holy sH$t - this is a million times better!! It's so nice to have the right tool to do these things. It's nice and steady and worked pretty well.
- Go wings.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Nassau County, NY
Ok I have done this job and yes getting the cap back on is a bear. Did it 9 months ago and my palm still hurts.
How much to build me one of those set ups?? Seriously I may be interested in buying one off you.
How much to build me one of those set ups?? Seriously I may be interested in buying one off you.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 0
From: quebec canada
diy
this is over kill.just put the top cap in a big vise -grip side way. and push the tube and screw with the tube. but if you have a place in your garage. nice to have one.so you can use it every 2,3, years mrfuji
Trending Topics
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 514
Likes: 17
From: SW Mississippi
That's a great tool man! Now you can do all your buddies' forks for them! I bet it'll be kind of like putting in a new swimming pool, you'll suddenly find out you have friends you never knew you had! I had the same problem, and was looking around the shop desperately trying to come up with a way; noticed a knot-hole on the outer edge of a shelf about head high. The hole was the perfect size to wedge the cap into, so I stuck it up into the hole, stood under the shelf, pushed the fork up into the cap, and pirouetted around and around till it was snug! It actually worked so good that I've since bored a hole in a better- located shelf and chiseled a hex into it for the next time! Good job!
Last edited by tryus; May 28, 2013 at 08:46 AM.