Dismantling RVF Forks, Need help

[Drunkn Munky]

I finally decided to do the seals on my forks myself and may aswell fit some rick o springs while im at it but ive come to a dead end following the haynes manual.
I've got to the point where i need to remove the damper rod bolt so to allow the damper rod to be removed however the bolt just seems to turn and turn (yes im am holding the damper rod so it doesnt turn with it) and not free itself from the damper rod. What am i doing wrong?
Also the next part in the haynes manual might aswell be in french to me. i've removed the dust seal and retaining clip but now im lost. can anyone guide me through this or provide me with a link to a good guide.

[CMSMJ1]

Sounds like you are at the part where you use the forks like a slide hammer?

never touched RVF forks but if the bolt is loosened, and the dust seal and circlip is out..then you are going to need to slide<>clunk<>slide<>clunk the actual oil seal out of the stanchion..


An RVF fork fettler will be on soon enough....

[Drunkn Munky]

someone must know???

[Carlos]

Such a long time since I tackled this job but from memory (poor at my age) I seem to recall some of the damper rod assembly is pressed together, if this is overtightened from previous ajustment the pressed parts turn around inside each other and the assembly cannot be clamped with the fork tube in situ. I think what I did was to remove the fork tube first using the slide hammer technique described in haynes manual (page6.8 diagram 7.11). You should then have access to bottom part of damper rod which can be then be clamped. As I said earlier this was years ago I last did this job so memory might not be so good. For anyone else here with RVF fork experience please tell me if I have gone barking mad or am thinking of another model. Sorry to perhaps confuse you further but you seem desperate.

[Drunkn Munky]

that does make sense carlos, i'll give it a go. thanks

[Drunkn Munky]

ok i dismantled the second fork and that came apart no problem, i still havent got the damper rod free in the first fork but thinking about it i dont really need to as im only changing the springs and refilling with oil, or am i wrong??

[Carlos]

Not sure on this, where are all the experts? best to give Rick Oliver a ring or an email.

[randallbass]

try putting the spring back in and using that tension on the dampner to loosen the bottom bolt :)
Tim