Fork spring compressor tool flht
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Joined: Apr 2013
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From: NE KY
Fork spring compressor tool flht
Makin 1of these at work and don't kno the min and max distance for stop on each end , how far Part they need to b in other words ? Nebody kno ? Tia , Jethroe
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
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From: Central Illinois
He is from Northeast Kentucky so that is probably the Kings English down there. lol
Anyway, what are you trying to do, compress the entire forks (for what reason I cannot imagine)? Or are you trying to compress the fork spring so you can get the fork cap on?
If trying to compress the spring, what I did was I fabricated a fork tube clamp to hold the tube, then set the whole fork assembly into a hydraulic press, with the tube clamp resting on the press supports. I then set the fork tube cap, with the fill cap screwed into the top of it, on the fork spring then used the hydraulic ram to press down on the cap, pressing the spring down so I could then use a wrench to turn the fork cap into the tube threads. I was installing an H-D lowering kit in my forks and the springs were as stiff as steel rods.
If this isn't what you are referring to then I have no idea what you are needing.
Anyway, what are you trying to do, compress the entire forks (for what reason I cannot imagine)? Or are you trying to compress the fork spring so you can get the fork cap on?
If trying to compress the spring, what I did was I fabricated a fork tube clamp to hold the tube, then set the whole fork assembly into a hydraulic press, with the tube clamp resting on the press supports. I then set the fork tube cap, with the fill cap screwed into the top of it, on the fork spring then used the hydraulic ram to press down on the cap, pressing the spring down so I could then use a wrench to turn the fork cap into the tube threads. I was installing an H-D lowering kit in my forks and the springs were as stiff as steel rods.
If this isn't what you are referring to then I have no idea what you are needing.
That's got to be it. After installing chrome lowers I couldn't get that dam cap back on. I built this.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2011
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From: Texas
I am asking because I have my forks off and apart and will be installing a porgressive lowering kit this evening. I can use all of the help I can get.
I didn't install the progressive lowering kit, I believe with that kit spring tension isn't as hard to compress. Again I'm not sure.
I replaced my stock lowers and cowbells with chrome. Well after I put them all together I just couldn't muster the strength to compress the fork cap against the spring to screw it into the slider. I found it difficult to compress the cap and then screw it in at the same time.
So put the entire assembly in the thing I built. The lower, the slider, insert the spring into the slider and then place the cap on top. Then use a helper to compress the top board down on the cap. The longer the board the less leverage is needed. Once it's all compressed just hold the slider, slip a wrench on the cap and tighten it up.
Also if you look closely I drilled to small holes on the bottom board to match up with the stub bolts on the lower.
Make sense?
I replaced my stock lowers and cowbells with chrome. Well after I put them all together I just couldn't muster the strength to compress the fork cap against the spring to screw it into the slider. I found it difficult to compress the cap and then screw it in at the same time.
So put the entire assembly in the thing I built. The lower, the slider, insert the spring into the slider and then place the cap on top. Then use a helper to compress the top board down on the cap. The longer the board the less leverage is needed. Once it's all compressed just hold the slider, slip a wrench on the cap and tighten it up.
Also if you look closely I drilled to small holes on the bottom board to match up with the stub bolts on the lower.
Make sense?
Last edited by sanman4ever; Aug 9, 2013 at 02:53 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
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From: washington dc
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If you thread the cap on the tube before you put the spring in and mark the cap and the tube where the threads first start to mate, it makes it much easier when you're doing the final make-up with the spring installed.
To the OP: if you're making a spring compressor for the HD Premium Ride fork kit, let me know, I have one and will post the dimensions for you when I get to the house.
To the OP: if you're making a spring compressor for the HD Premium Ride fork kit, let me know, I have one and will post the dimensions for you when I get to the house.
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This thread is old. I've since torn mine down.... so do yourself a favor and just get the progressive cartridge kit. It doesn't require any pressure to compress the system and ride much better than the OEM spring set up.
Yeah, I didn't even look at the dates, I hate it when dead threads are resurrected.
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