Front fork help

[Dbn1]

I am currently working on the front forks on a 1981 gs 1100. The problem I am having is that I can't remove the nut that holds the upper tube. The manual shows there is a special tool/socket to remove this nut. Any ideas on removing this nut?

[portdave]

Long extension with a spark plug socket turned upside down. Should fit right in there.

[hikermikem]

Long extension with a spark plug socket turned upside down. Should fit right in there.

Yes, this is a common work-around, I use the same method on my 1100EX forks.

Use the opposite end of a 3/4" (19mm) sparkplug socket & it will fit right into that nut in the forks. Pull the rubber piece out of it & push a long (or several short) extentions in it & voila, you have a special fork nut tool.

The fun part is getting those dampener pieces re-installed correctly. Make sure you replace the o-rings in there before you put it back together - I used OEM o-rings from the local dealer because I didn't want to do it again in case the hardware store o-rings failed.

[dougv42]

old trick, and one that's works successfully for me many times is to use a wheel spindle with a double nut on the thread end. It's long enough when dropped down the tube to then unscrew with a socket and ratchet.