forks stuck down

[Brendan W]

is there supposed to be a a shrader valve on the forks?

Mine doesn't- ramp preloader

[jprice90]

I pulled the caps as the manual said, and no valves.
Guessing someone did screw with them at one time

[Brendan W]

I pulled the caps as the manual said, and no valves.
Guessing someone did screw with them at one time

Quite likely, however afaik some markets never had the air top up at the front.

[gsrick]

Does your forks have a hex type cap or is it hollow with a circlip?

My sons '85 700 has the latter and you will have to press the cap into the tube to remove the clip. You may need help as that can be a real bugger to do by yourself if you don't have a shop press.

If it is a hex type that you can put a wrench on, then break the cap loose before you loosen the triple tree pinch bolts that holds the tube. Don't undo the cap in the tree, just loosen it a turn or two.

Once they are out you can support the base of your fork in a vise where the axle goes through or depending on the fork, the brake caliper mount. Where ever it give the most hold and support.(use some cloth to lessen chance of scratching your fork)

Then hold the cap, while turning the fork tube. This allows you to have the cap firmly in hand at all times, preventing possible flyaway. Some fork have a lot of spring tension and some hardly any.

This also works reinstalling the cap and lessens the chance of cross threading the cap. What leads to cross threading, is usually uneven pressure on the cap. It's easier to raise the tube to the cap and turn, than trying to push down and turn the cap at the same time.

TIP: turn the fork the opposite way till you hear the threads click, then tighten. The beginning of the inner and outer threads meeting is what will click. Less chances of cross threading that way and this trick also works great when installing spark plugs.

[Steve]

TIP: turn the fork the opposite way till you hear the threads click, then tighten. The beginning of the inner and outer threads meeting is what will click. Less chances of cross threading that way and this trick also works great when installing spark plugs.

Even BETTER tip:
Before installing the preload spacer on top of the spring, install the cap, but only turn it a couple of turns. Use a Sharpie marker, place a mark on the cap. Slowly rotate the fork tube until it falls away from the cap, note where the mark on the cap was when it let go. Put a mark at that location on the tube. When you re-assemble with the preload spacer in place, just rotate the marks away from each other a few degrees (about 1/8 turn), when you start to turn the tube to install the cap, your first turn will grab threads.

.

[gsrick]

Maybe if you don't accidentally wipe or smear the mark on the chrome plated tubes. Sharpie markers need a porous surface to hold onto. Some masking tape around the top of the tube will help with that.

[jprice90]

well its a US model 83 850G

[gsrick]

My sons 700 is a US model, but the manual show forks with standard style fork caps.