Fork slider removal

[LittleJon]

G'Day Im a new member but currently own 2 gs's and have had a few in the past. My problem is changing the for seals in a recantly aquied gs1100gk to witch I am going to fit a side car. I have one slider of no worries but the dampener is spinning in the other. The Clymer manual I have say's to make a long tee spaner using a bolt with a 19mm head did this and it is to small can any one tell me what size bolt head I need to save me lots of experementing.
Cheers Little Jon

[Steve]

I used either a length of 1/2" or 5/8" all-thread rod (I have used both, and don't rmember which was used for the GS) that was 24" long. Use four nuts, two at each end, then stick it down the fork tube and use a spanner on the nuts you can still reach.

Another tip from others on the board is to use a 3/8" drive spark plug socket that has a hex drive on the outer rim as well. That hex is usually 19mm. Turn the socket over, stick a looonnngg extension through the socket, then use that inside the fork tube.

Here is the all-thread tool I made:




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[Nessism]

I've used the spark plug socket method several times and it works perfectly.

[trippivot]

I have had to get very imaginative to get some forks apart. not easy unless they are done often every 3 years or so.

propane torch heat on the bottom bolt,
1/2 inch impact gun.
leave the spring inside and compress the fork when hitting the impact power
nice home made tool like the one pictured is cool.
these things get nearly heat welded if they are ridden dry for a long period of time. some are easy some are real buggers.

[Rockman]

G'day Jon
I've just got a GS1100GK to fit a sidecar to as well. I have the sidecar (HRD double), so I now need to make up some mounts. What are you fitting?
Keep us posted on your progress & I'll do the same. Phil