Fork Bolt Issues

[Gordon Brennan]

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.

[firstturn]

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

[David Laite]

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

[Lew Mayer]

Yeah, but this is British hardware. Not so nice.

Lew Mayer

[Rocket]

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

[marsattacks]

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!

[Dave Mitchell]

Rockets advice is sound, works for me.
Dave

[Gordon Brennan]

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.

[Dennis Jones]

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

[Gordon Brennan]

How much oil for each fork Dennis? Also, straight non-detergent 30 weight or SAE 10W 30?

[Dennis Jones]

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

[Lew Mayer]

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

[Dennis Jones]

Thanks Lew!
There you go Gordon, now you have choices. Whatever you do, do not ask about gearbox oil or premix [8]


Dennis Jones

[Gordon Brennan]

Thank you.