1st Gen T3: Fork tube disassembly question.

[Brad200X]

What did you guys do to keep the inner tube from spinning, to remove the allen bolt at the bottom? My only idea at the moment is to buy another fork tube cap, drill out the center, thread it and use threaded rod with a nut or something at the end to hold it. Anybody know a better way? Thanks in advance!

[dcreel]

I just bought the tools to do it from bikebandit. People have made their own tools to do it. I don't have a welder, and I figured I would use it quite a bit with 3 Tecates so.
Here is how much I paid for them
HANDLE,FORK ADAPTR *E 1 $30.05 Shipped
FORK CYLINDER HOLDER 1 $28.56

Yeah..

[jeswinehart]

If memory serves me, a 3/4 inch headed bolt will fit in the part that needs held, while you turn the allen bolt out at the bottom.
Of course you will need to weld a long rod to it so you can hold it from turning with a pair of vice grips or what ever.
I have also used a broom stick sharpened to a dull point and jamm'd down inside. Use a hammer and drive it home and have a helper keep tapping it while your turning the allen bolt out. You will NOT hurt anything inside using wood.

john

[jeswinehart]

Yep, a 3/4 inch bolt head fits well if you go about making up your own tool Brad.

john

[Brad200X]

Thanks for the pics John! I didn't reasize that the tube was notched. Looking down in there it just looked round.

PS. I thought I saw in an older post that you had some chain sliders made, still have any?

[jeswinehart]

Yep, sure do Brad. I have upgraded material to a stiffer, longer wearing 84/85 chain slider instead of the floppy rubber oem style.
You just pm me when your ready (and what colour) and you will have one in the mail.
Might want to update/confirm your mailing address when you pm me, its been awhile.
Yes, see what I mean about using a blunt sharpened round wood dowel, it will jam in there and "normally" hold the innards still.

john

[Brad200X]

Cool John. I'll PM you later in the week. Thanks again for the info! The forks were that last thing holding me up to send my parts to the powdercoat guy.

[jeswinehart]

You know what Brad, you definitely got the right idea in your opening post.
using threaded rod with a couple of nuts tightened up against each other, at the very end would work just fine.
great idea ! Yes sir, just use a couple of nuts that are 3/4 inch head size and you should be all set.

john

[zagames]

Wow, excellent! I was just getting ready to ask the same question. Thanks guys and Brad.

[Maico]

Air ratchet...or "wheel gun". I bought the same tools...useless

Air ratchet or "wheel gun" set on reverse.

Done.

[tecat-z]

Here's a few pics of the tool i made for these forks. Hope they represent well. Remember, the damper rod holding tool 'T-bar' prevents spinning, so allen bolt on bottom of leg can be turned out. Obviously this necessitates removing spring assembly to allow access to damper rod. This tool is nice cause you can hold tool by standing on outer ends, while having two free hands to work allen wrench or whatever means you choose to remove bolt.

Parts needed for making one.
1- 3" 3/4" hardened bolt
1-2' section of 1/2" black threaded gas pipe
1-1/2" threaded T
2-1/2"x6" pipe nipples
Simply tack weld bolt to end of pipe, and thread the rest together. Or tack all connections as i did so it won't unthread during use.
This can be made very affordably from items that any hardware store will have, and will last a lifetime. Hope this helps....

[zagames]

Ok, my forks are both bent, would the easiest thing to do be bend them back before taking apart, or is the tool pretty flexible?

[Brad200X]

Thanks for the pics and info Tecat-Z. That's pretty much what I'm planning on making.

[dcreel]

Ed, That is the reason why I need a welder.. Hopefully I will get one soon..zagames the pictures that I saw of your forks, you are going to have to bend them at least close to straight before using a tool like these. Those babies are bent..

[jeswinehart]

I vote to post this in "World Class help" section ,,, it"s that good IMO.
Anybody opposed ?

john

[zagames]

Guess I could just cut the bent segment off. Or do you think they're worth saving? I'm not opposed. ;)

[Brad200X]

I vote to post this in "World Class help" section ,,, it"s that good IMO.
Anybody opposed ?

john

I'm all for it! I'm sure I wasn't the first, nor will I be the last guy who tries to take apart a set of T3 fork tubes! I'm guessing alot of this applies to fork tubes for other models of three wheelers?

[dcreel]

I have heard of people straightening their fork tubes.. I'm not sure of how well they will work after that though. I'll take pics of my Kawasaki parts to unbolt the fork lowers when they show up at the door.

[jb2wheels]

I've had good luck getting the bottom bolt out by breaking it loose before taking the forks apart.
Not on a T3, but on various street and dirt bikes over the years. Maybe the T3 is different, but on my bikes, leaving the springs in and cap on helps hold the "innards" while you hit the bolt on the bottom with an impact wrench.