Need some help with my forks

[Sparky]

Im removing, or trying to remove, the forks off my 85 700E. Im kind of stuck here though. Ive got the forks drained and trying to pull them out of the steering head but I cant get them past the "clip on" style bar riser pieces. I managed to get them flush and the whole thing, fork and handlebar piece moves together. This bike has seen some weather so I figure the aluminum is corroded up some. Ive soaked with with both liquid wrench and WD-40








Any suggestions? the fork tube wont turn. Try one of those strap wrenches maybe?

Im not going to be using these "risers" anymore so Im about to take the dremel and a cutting wheel to them.

[Ranger]

I had to pound mine off, I think a strap might work, I used a chain one with cloth to prevent scratches to work it loose til the little lip caught then I went to wood and a hammer. Either way I doubt your going to damage anything if your careful.

Once it's all cleaned up its easier to put them on, took me no effort.

[Sparky]

where did you hit on it though? right on the center might damage it right?

Im going to try the other one and see whats up with it if it does the same I may just cut them off and throw them in the scrap pile lol

Id like them to stay in one piece so maybe someone else could use them

[SVSooke]

Was trying to think back to first taking the 85 forks off.Took a fair amount of persuasion IIRC.
Edit:asked my wife,she said I did.Had to pound them to get them out.Once they moved it was not that hard.

[Ranger]

I might be able to use the right one if I dont get some lower clip ons but I hit it on the side of the clip itself, not the fork tube till it moved a little bit then from there pounded the middle till they worked off..

It would be a lot easier if you had another set of hands to try and pull it loose or to twist and hit it at the sametime.

[Sparky]

HA HA



GOT EM! I twisted the whole thing to where the part with the bolt hole was sticking outwards 180* from where it usual sites and smacked the crap out of them with a hammer after they have been soaking for about 20 minutes while I was doing other stuff.

Im done for the night, thanks guys for the help, Im surprised it got it this quick lol

I might be able to use the right one if I dont get some lower clip ons (edited)

You can have them both for shipping if you want them, might fit in a small flate rate box. They have a couple dings on them, I was just going to hit them with some paint from a rattle can but I changed my plans so I dont need them.

[Ranger]

Hang on to them if you can, I should know soon I hope.

[Sparky]

will do and take you time, im in no hurry as its still 20*-30* and will be for a while haha

[Ranger]

I still might need the right one, mine seems to be holding for the time being but I really wanna switch to lowered clip ons. So far I trust it.

[David_510]

Uggh.. im having the same problem as you are. On my 83 gs 550 esd i can't even get the forks to budge from the upper mounts. The lower mounts it moves in i can wiggle it. But the upper ones won't move. I've tried putting a bar in the axle spot and standing on the bar and it wouldn't budge.. tried a pair of channel locks with a rag to twist the fork.. didn't work.. Any suggestions?

[Ranger]

Uggh.. im having the same problem as you are. On my 83 gs 550 esd i can't even get the forks to budge from the upper mounts. The lower mounts it moves in i can wiggle it. But the upper ones won't move. I've tried putting a bar in the axle spot and standing on the bar and it wouldn't budge.. tried a pair of channel locks with a rag to twist the fork.. didn't work.. Any suggestions?

Hook everything back up or put your axle back through so the fork leg doesnt move then try pulling it off. If you have a rubber mallet hit the clip on right above the base where it extends up to the bar.

[Sparky]

Yep, rubber mallet and some time and PB blaster worked for me. Also take a big screw driver and spread out the pieces where the bolts clamp the fork tubes down

[David_510]

ok, im back at it.. Still no luck getting the forks out. used some wd-40, pb blaster, some rust remover...

I can't get either clip-on off.

[David_510]

Whoot!

Got one out.. now the other is like froze in there.. I used a pipe wrench to get one side to turn and wiggle free...

The other side turned about 1/2 turn and won't budge now -.- great!