Wow, This Mudlark's a pain in the @$$. Any ideas for getting the bottom allen head bolt to loosen up on these 32mm forks? I have a good allen head connection. Everything is clean and tight, but the bolt won't budge. I tried by hand and then with a cordless impact wrench. Should I try heat next? How much and what kind?
Probably stupid questions, but I'm trying to be patient. I came here, to get away from them, before something horrible happened.
Gordan,
I am on the way out of town so I will make this short. Some type of penetrating oil and the tap on top of the wrench you are using with a small hammer. You just need to break it free not bash it up.
Ron Carbaugh
As above soak it well and walk away from it. Tomorrow morning tap tap tap and it should break loose. The Penton/KTM hardware seems pretty durable.
1973 Penton Jackpiner
1982 Yamaha XT200
1982 Yamaha XJ650J Maxim
1987 Yamaha YZ490
2005 Honda CRF450R
Yeah, but this is British hardware. Not so nice.
Lew Mayer
When I have tough fasteners, I go with a propane torch and warm the area up a little bit. I don't do this on painted surfaces unless I am going to refinish. Another try is an impact driver, one you hit with a hammer, with an allen socket.
Rod
My Bultaco Frontera has a line in it that goes something like this: "Do not enter a contest of strength with your Bultaco motorcycle."
I know you already know this since you walked away which I do about 50/50. In my experience I usually win the contest but unfortunately destroy everything in the process.
Good luck. PB Blaster has worked great for me but over multiple days. Also a little torch has helped.
Mars Attacks!
(http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c36/80fj40/marsattacks.jpg)
Rockets advice is sound, works for me.
Dave
Got the forks apart yesterday. Let them soak in Kroil overnight. Even then they wouldn't budge with just a T handle allen wrench. Hit em with an impact tool and they came loose. Water got in there and rusted them up.
Now I need to know (how much) oil to put in each fork. Metal Profile 32mm.
Also, I have always used 10 weight fork oil. I have had people recommend 30 weight motor oil and even ATF. I have used ATF in a crankcase, but never in my forks. Taking all suggestions.
These forks are made to use 10W-30. On the first Wassell I got I didn't know this and kept trying all kinds of fork oils, 5,10,15. The second bike I got was near mint and had a sticker on each leg stating to use 10W-30. When I put that in my rider they worked great, well at least as good as they can for 35 year old 31.5 ;) mm forks
Dennis Jones
How much oil for each fork Dennis? Also, straight non-detergent 30 weight or SAE 10W 30?
Gordon,
I can't find my notes on how much oil, We're going to have to call in the reserves.
HEY LEW! How much oil.
It sounds strange but I know it calls for 10W-30
Dennis Jones
I looked up my notes and I run 160 cc. I think I have 5wt. in it but I have also used 7.5wt. I know it calls for 150 cc but I played with weights and volumes a little bit and found 160 worked pretty good. It helps lessen the bottoming out. I wouldn't run 10w30 since there are so many good fork oils. Go with a 10wt fork oil if you want to stay close to the stock weight oil.
Lew Mayer
Thanks Lew!
There you go Gordon, now you have choices. Whatever you do, do not ask about gearbox oil or premix [8]
Dennis Jones
Thank you.