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Yet another reason to HATE "L" models..

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheCafeKid
  • Start date Start date
T

TheCafeKid

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So Ive been working on this 85 550L for a buddy's mom. Great looking bike. Only 5700 ORIGINAL miles on the thing. Shop was trying to stick her over a R/R and already charged her $75 bucks to change fork oil on forks whose seals were pretty much nonexistant. So i told her to bring it by and Id fix her up for way cheaper than the stealership. Well...For starters, this particular model uses forks that are apparently COMPLETELY different than the same year 550E (why?) Different seals (3mm deeper) and getting them appart is like trying to open a chinese puzzle box. When you pull the top cap off, there is a plate, with a Schrader valve in it. Ok. So how you get that out? Well, you can see a little spring clip in a groove just under the top of the plate. No eyes to get a hold of it. You have to PUSH AGAINST the spring pressure, pushing that plate down, which takes TWO hands mind you, and somehow, with the third hand that you stash in your bum or something, take a screw driver or something of the like and dig that spring out.... FUN! :mad: Stooopid L models...
 
So Josh, tell us how you really feel. Don't hold back. You can be so vague with your opinions of the "L" sometimes..........:p
 
I think some other models had these goofy forks, too.

But I agree -- we're just not quite sure how you feel. We're left with a bit of doubt... :p
 
Learn to L-ove your L.

The air forks on the Ls use a simple spring clip which you pry out
with a thin screw driver. Don't even need pliers for it.

Just did the fork oil on my 550. Progressives with 15w and no air
in the front. Progressives with middle preload setting on the back.
Seems to balance nicely for my weight (240lbs.).
 
TheCafeKid said:
When you pull the top cap off, there is a plate, with a Schrader valve in it. Ok. So how you get that out? Well, you can see a little spring clip in a groove just under the top of the plate. No eyes to get a hold of it. You have to PUSH AGAINST the spring pressure, pushing that plate down, which takes TWO hands mind you, and somehow, with the third hand that you stash in your bum or something, take a screw driver or something of the like and dig that spring out....
Click to expand...

When dealing with forks whose caps fasten like that, I use a small 2-jaw puller hooked over the triple clamp. That compresses the spring, and leaves your hands free to fish out the circlip. (Of course I haven't encountered ones that also have an air valve - you might have to craft an adapter to clear that.)

If I don't have the puller available, I grab a long socket and attach it to a rachet to use as a handle, then press down on the plate with the regular handle, getting the body weight into it so that I don't have to use much strength. Then you have one hand free to fiddle with the circlip. - Much better to have a friend assist though!

- Richard
 
There's a few others that use that clip in the forks (just done my lad's TS50X which uses the same arrangement). Once you get the knack they're easy to pop out - only make sure that that little blighter doesn't fly off never to be seen again (though it is a valuable lesson for a 16-year-old to spend an hour on his hands and knees....)
 
and to make it worse.... I bought a pair of forks on eBay and one side had an air valve, while the other did not!

But at least the fork bodies were nicely polished.
 
rkubik said:
and to make it worse.... I bought a pair of forks on eBay and one side had an air valve, while the other did not!

But at least the fork bodies were nicely polished.
Click to expand...

There's a crossover tube, right?
 
Push down on the plate with the valve with a spark plug socket and fish the clip out. It is really easy.
Putting it together is even easier. Don't over think this with the "L" theory. :-#
 
chef1366 said:
Push down on the plate with the valve with a spark plug socket and fish the clip out. It is really easy.
Putting it together is even easier. Don't over think this with the "L" theory. :-#
Click to expand...
Thats what i ended up doing;) but it takes TWO hands to push the plate down even with a spark plug socket.
 
Oh, it wasn't that bad, was it?

Okay... You're right. It was kind of stupid...
 
does this mean we will be having fun when you show me how to do mine. lol should i bring a swear jar.lol
 
I HOPE not Rob, im pretty sure yours is still old enough not to use this dastardly design. But, we'll see. Get yer stuff, and here in a couple weeks when i get some of this other stuff done, we'll have a go at it.
 
well, hell. At least I will have a good grasp on doing it then! That way i can show YOU how to do it...and then supervise while you do:twistedevil:
 
ummm yeah!

ummm yeah!

AAAHHH BLAHHHHH BLAHHHHH. You're just use'n the "L" as a scape goat! It knows you don't like it so it's gonna fight you every step of the way! :p
 
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