Fork bracket (?) removal...?

[Krooozn]

Not sure if I am calling it the right thing or not, but I am wanting to remove the bracket that spans the forks and is located just below the headlight bucket. I took the two bolts out but still can't seem to get the bracket off....and a large part of it seems to be plastic so I don't want to break it.....anyone know how to get this thing off without breaking it....and please don't tell me I have to dismantle the whole fork assembly to get it off....that would probably make me cry......I just want to clean it and paint it to match the color scheme I am going with......

I did a search looking for help, but didn't find anything...but could be I am calling it the wrong thing....

Thanx so much.....again.....Anita

[azr]

I'm not sure of the part name for that specific item either other than 'dewhicky', but....you do have to take the forks off to get at it. Seems backwards don't it!

[Theo]

I don't have a better picture but is this what you are talking about?



If so, that is the lower triple tree clamp. I'm not sure how your bike is but to remove it you'll have to remove the forks among other things. You'll also have to remove the steering stem bolt, then remove the upper triple tree clamp, remove the steering stem nut, then the lower triple tree clamp should come right out. It seems like a lot but it's actually pretty easy.

[chef1366]

Yup have to slide forks down till free.

[Steve]

If so, that is the lower triple tree clamp. I'm not sure how your bike is but to remove it you'll have to remove the forks among other things. You'll also have to remove the steering stem bolt, then remove the upper triple tree clamp, remove the steering stem nut, then the lower triple tree clamp should come right out. It seems like a lot but it's actually pretty easy.

No need to remove the steering stem bolt or the upper triple tree clamp or the steering stem nut.

It may not sound that simple to you, but it really is not all that bad. Just:
Loosen the upper and lower fork leg clamps
Remove the brake calipers from the fork legs
Remove the speedo cable from its drive unit
Support the front of the engine so the front wheel is off the ground
Remove the axle, roll the wheel out (watch the spacers)
Remove the fender
The forks should slide down now. Watch the headlight mounting ears, they will come loose now.
Once the headlight ears are loose from the forks, you can lift the trim piece out and clean, paint, whatever you want to do to it.

Reassembly is, of course, reversing the above steps.

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[Krooozn]

Ok....so that isn't what I really wanted to hear.....now to drop back and regroup.....just gonna try to tape off and cover everything that needs to be protected and paint the darn thing right where it sits! Has anyone ever tried this before.....I have thought about this alot in the past when it comes to painting stuff in place.....how would it work if say you coated the areas that you wanted to protect with something like Vaseline or some other form of greasy stuff....would the paint/overspray still stick to the part or would it just wipe away with the grease? Makes sense to me....but a lot of stupid ideas make sense to me....

Thanx again...Anita

[Steve]

You can smear the grease if you want, but it might just be easier to use a lot of newspaper and tape.

Yes, the paint will wipe off with the grease, if you choose to go that route.

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[Krooozn]

Thanx Steve for the reply.....I am planning on doing a lot of taping and newspaper....just thought about the grease for the areas that are really hard to get to with the tape.....sort of an added protection......

Thanx again....for all the replies....you guys are tops!

Anita

[SqDancerLynn1]

In the time it takes to tape everything off you could just remove it!!!

[Steve]

In the time it takes to tape everything off you could just remove it!!!

I was thinking the same thing, Lynn, but not all the ladies on the forum are as skilled with a wrench as you are.

I was thinking about half an hour, tops, to have the trim piece in-hand, then about 30-45 minutes to put it back together.

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