Time To Rebuild My Forks

vnp514

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I've got a 2012 ST with a little over 16,000 miles on it. My right side fork seal is leaking. I've used my seal doctor on it but no go so it's time to take them apart( I figure if one is leaking, it's only a matter of time before the other one goes-I'll rebuild both of them). My first time doing this but after searching/reading this site I've ordered parts/tools and am going to try to tackle this job myself. I'm sure I'm going to have more questions as I get further along in this but for now-While the forks are still on the bike, will I do any harm by loosening the cap bolt(#1 on page 4-82 and the Damper Rod Assembly Bolt#10). I don't have a vise and I was thinking I'd just use the bolts holding the forks on the bike for my vise(if that makes sense). Any words of wisdom would be much appreciated!

Thanks!

Pete
 

Firefight911

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This is a completely acceptable method. Loosen the top triple bolts whilst leaving the lower triple and axle tight. You'll be fine then.
 

Don in Lodi

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I know it's obvious, but remember to jack the front end off the ground. I've never looked, where are the drains? On the Royal they were accessed through the space the axle occupies.
Hey Phil, SPS has my forks! Woohoo...
 

Berg_Donk

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Its a pretty straightforward job, BUT the biggest thing you'll likely have to deal with is compressing the fork springs. I have done a few forks over the years, but to do the S10's, I made a compressor up out of some scrap steel and on old car screw jack. Couldn't manage on my own otherwise, and I'm not sure a second pair of hands would have helped much.

 

vnp514

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Appreciate the replys-tips! To get to the lower bolts, looks like I need to remove the axel to get to them. Again, since I don't have a vise, I plan to remove the axel, leave the forks attached and loosen both the lower nut and fork caps. Sounds like a plan?

Pete
 

vnp514

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Berg_Donk said:
Its a pretty straightforward job, BUT the biggest thing you'll likely have to deal with is compressing the fork springs. I have done a few forks over the years, but to do the S10's, I made a compressor up out of some scrap steel and on old car screw jack. Couldn't manage on my own otherwise, and I'm not sure a second pair of hands would have helped much.

Thanks BD,

I kind of used your idea and made something work. Now the next problem is how to get the bolt out of the bottom end of the fork(damper rod keeps spinning).

Pete
 

Dallara

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vnp514

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Dallara,

Appreciate the reply. I like your idea. I'll do some searching-I'd hate to have to cut one of my hex tools but I bet they make straight long ones to fit??(8mm if I remember right).

Pete
 

Ironhand

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Yes, you can get extended reach hex sockets. In a pinch without an impact driver and/or holding tool, often compressing the fork with the spring in place and the cap on will provide enough tension on the internals to keep them from spinning while you loosen that bottom bolt.
 

vnp514

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Ironhand said:
Yes, you can get extended reach hex sockets. In a pinch without an impact driver and/or holding tool, often compressing the fork with the spring in place and the cap on will provide enough tension on the internals to keep them from spinning while you loosen that bottom bolt.
Thanks for the reply. My first try was I left the forks on the bike and tried to loosen the drain bolts(not sure if that is their name or not-my manual is out in the garage). I got the right side loose but not the left. I'm not sure how I'd compress the forks and be able to get to the bolt? If I turn them upside down to do this I'm afraid I might bugger the threads for the caps.

Pete
 
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