Front Fork Allen bolt at end

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Aladinbama
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Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by Aladinbama »

Any tips for getting this little bugger out?
I've got the forks off and in a vice, but am hesitant to putting that much pressure on a common allen wrench!
I need to replace my seals and this is all that is in the way :)

Thanks!
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Re: Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by Aladinbama »

I went and purchased some longer shaft hex sockets.
Off a recommendation of someone elsewhere I used an impact wrench and the said longer shaft hex socket (6mm). It stripped - YEAH!

Meanwhile I had the other fork bolt soaking in PB Blaster. I took a wrench and the above hex socket to it and it was sticky, but it came loose!

So, what do I do with the other fork? I'm attempting to dig the seal out, but I'm not sure that is really doable. I guess I'll try to drill the allen bolt head off (carefully - lol) and then get the rest of the bolt when it comes apart. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Shooting it is definitely an option (lol).
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Aladinbama
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Re: Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by Aladinbama »

I drilled out the stripped bolt!

All should be good (as soon as a busted knuckle heals a bit :rolling: )!
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HMB Don
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Re: Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by HMB Don »

Good job, now go buy an impact driver, best money you'll spend for your motorcycle
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Aladinbama
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Re: Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by Aladinbama »

HMB Don wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:39 am Good job, now go buy an impact driver, best money you'll spend for your motorcycle
I used an electric one - that's what I stripped it out with!
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Re: Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by cushman eagle »

When I resealed my forks,I also found the bolts hard to loosen,so I used the smallest tip we have for our oxyacetylene torch and aimed the tip at the bolt head 5 seconds for each one.They came out without much resistance :thmup:
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Re: Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by cushman eagle »

HMB Don wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:39 am Good job, now go buy an impact driver, best money you'll spend for your motorcycle
I am gong to guess HBM Don is referring to an impact driver you hit with a hammer to try to shock the fitting loose.
I often use mine in a case like you had,they not only try to turn the fitting when you hit them,they also shock the fitting with each hammer blow,and are quite effective. :thmup:
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Van Voyager
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Re: Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by Van Voyager »

Aladinbama wrote: Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:11 am I drilled out the stripped bolt!

All should be good (as soon as a busted knuckle heals a bit )!
I've drilled many of them out over the years. Usually find the left over stub unscrews using just fingers.
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Re: Front Fork Allen bolt at end

Post by Aladinbama »

All put back together and rolling. The progressives are tons better than stock. My stock front end had issues, but it's pretty tight now!
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