G oog le Buell 1125R Forum | Login/out | Topics | Search | Custodians | Register | Edit Profile


Buell Forum » 1125R Superbike Board » Archive through April 20, 2013 » Front Forks Extended Out « Previous Next »

Author Message
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kc9
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 01:45 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Long story short....I started messing around with the front forks, and now they're stuck out. I'm at a loss at what to do here.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

D_adams
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 01:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

You're going to need a hoist or jack of some kind to lift the frame/motor back up some. Looks like you loosened a couple things too many, the lower pinch bolts for the tree are loose, then the nut for the top is completely off. I'm hoping you have that on a rear stand at this point. I'd guess the lower tree is sitting on the front tire/fender right now.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stensg
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 03:03 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Umm first off what are you trying to do?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kevmean
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 05:48 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Some people should not be allowed near tools ; )
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Nuts4mc
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 06:04 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

a) if you lower the triple clamps or raise the forks (as pictured) you are changing the geometry of the bike - the rake and trail is affected - the more upright the forks (as pictured) will quicken the steering ( easier to turn in) but also will affect stability in a straight line (not stable at speed)...kinda like a kiddie tricycle (NOT like a "Big Wheel")
b) if you raise the triple clamps or lower the forks in the clamps (opposite of pictured) you will slow the steering (takes more effort to turn in)and increase straight line stability. ( think of a chopper with extended front forks)
NOTE: DANGER Will Robinson DANGER! - the front brake line is very tight if you choose "b" - if you should wheelie the bike .... the forks will fully extend and possibly damage the hydraulic line or fittings - a small leak = no front brakes!

- I believe there is a circlip that stops the forks from going too far up into the triple clamps - you are most likely at that point in the picture.

As Dean has pointed out you should be on a
1)rear stand and the bike "balanced" and vertical.
2) with a floor jack and a piece of wood you can jack up the front of the bike under the stock Buell muffler - it's pretty tough - you will need someone to steady the bike once you start raising the front wheel off the ground.
3) loosen the front triple clamp bolts ( both upper and lower)a little at a time until the front end starts to move down ( gravity never stops working... the wheel/tire wants to be on the ground)
4) set the height of the forks above the top triple clamp, but "even" with the lines scribed on the top fork tube(s)...it's a good compromise on handling and the front brake line length
hope this helps
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sprintst
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 07:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yeah, what'cha tryin to do here??
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kc9
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 08:33 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I'm not trying to modify anything. Just wanting to get it back to normal, but the forks have extended all the way out and now they seem stuck.

...and yes, I should probably stop messing with this thing after this.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stensg
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 08:54 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The forks are not extended any more than normal. You have successfully unbolted your triple clamp. First you are going to need to figure out how to lift your frame up to where it should be. Then bolt everything back together then pawn all your tools to pay someone to work on your bike. If you weren't trying to do anything how did this come about?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

1125rcya
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 09:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Lmao!
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zane_t
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 09:32 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Is that a shop manual I see on the bench in the picture?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stirz007
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 10:00 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

It's not like anyone has ever had an oops moment. KC - entirely fixable.

1) Recruit some help if you are doing this by yourself.
2) If you don't have a rear stand, you can slip a pipe through the rear axle and support the rear on a couple of milk crates -
3) A joist overhead will be handy (or a swing set). Just loop some straps under the lower triple and connect them to an overhead support that can support 200-300 lb. A come-along or ratcheting strap will do the trick.
4) Lift the front end until the front wheel is off the ground. With a soft mallet, tap the upper triple until the forks start to go down in the lower tree - a little WD40 on the fork tube may help.
5) Work everything back into position, snug up steering axle nut, then lower tree clamps.
6) For stock set-up, the wire circlips will rest against bottom of lower triple.

Chalk one up to experience. Good luck
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kc9
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 10:10 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

^ok, thank you!

...and for the record, I mostly work on cars, so I've never messed with the front end of a motorcycle before. Hopefully this is the last time I do.

(Message edited by kc9 on April 14, 2013)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stensg
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 10:26 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I also came from cars but this just seams common sense by looking at it. I'm not trying to kick ya but it just baffles my mind. Trying to figure out what was trying to be done and how this looked like the thing to do. The only thing I can come up with is trying to slip the forks to get the bike lower. But there again how did this look right from a mechanical skilled background?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Zane_t
Posted on Sunday, April 14, 2013 - 10:38 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

We all learn from our mistakes. I'm a car mechanic myself; always looking for shortcuts and when all else fails, read the instructions. So don't let this discourage you from working on motorcycle front forks again. They are actually quite easy, especially if the bike is suspended from above rather than jacked up from underneath.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sparky
Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 - 01:25 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

No biggie, a learning experience.

If you don't have an overhead joist to suspend the bike, I've used a tall A-frame ladder and ratchet straps to support my bike ('96 S1) while working on the front end before. This might not work if the fairing is still installed though.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

46champ
Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 - 01:55 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Since you got it apart you might as well go ahead and grease the fork head bearings. That is if they are greaseable.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Dannybuell
Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 - 09:06 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Kc9 - I tried walking on water once, I sank like a rock. Mistakes happen. You have to stretch yourself to learn.

Truth be told anyone that hasn't made a mistake or two at something is lying.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Sprintst
Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 - 10:48 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

So the forks have a circle clip on them to keep them from sliding too far into the lower triple clamp - I'm assuming you removed both of those?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Nobuell
Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 - 06:02 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

The clip keeps the forks from sliding to far into the upper clamp, I believe.

By the way guys, nice job attacking Kc9 when asking help.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Stensg
Posted on Monday, April 15, 2013 - 07:37 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Come on he's got to expect a little bashing he's getting info out of it too.
Have you gotten it back together yet?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Brother_in_buells
Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - 04:00 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I would say put a jack with a piece of wood under the bike (engine area)
carefully jack it up and the forks/front end slides down to there original place(make sure that you keep the bike upright)
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

D_adams
Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - 07:15 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)


quote:

By the way guys, nice job attacking Kc9 when asking help.




Well, at least 3 of us gave advice on how to fix it and didn't bust his chops over it.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

1125rcya
Posted on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 - 08:19 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

I learned that if I were messing with any kind of steering component or wheels, its best to have a bike lift under the front and back.
Yesterday I was putting on my front wheel with bike lift only under the front and it fell right on the kickstand, luckily I got the Axel in but not threaded. Haha then realized I forgot to put the front brake caliper on!

I laugh because were all here for help and few are able to give, logical, well thought out easy understanding, directions. Some of are better doers than teachers.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Kc9
Posted on Thursday, April 18, 2013 - 09:01 pm:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

Yep, all back together. Piece of cake. Thanks everyone.
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message

Bartimus
Posted on Saturday, April 20, 2013 - 12:43 am:   Edit Post Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Move Post (Custodian/Admin Only) Ban Poster IP (Custodian/Admin only)

do yourself a favor, and get a manual...
« Previous Next »

Add Your Message Here
Post:
Bold text Italics Underline Create a hyperlink Insert a clipart image

Username: Posting Information:
This is a public posting area. Enter your username and password if you have an account. Otherwise, enter your full name as your username and leave the password blank. Your e-mail address is optional.
Password:
E-mail:
Options: Post as "Anonymous" (Valid reason required. Abusers will be exposed. If unsure, ask.)
Enable HTML code in message
Automatically activate URLs in message
Action:

Topics | Last Day | Tree View | Search | User List | Help/Instructions | Rules | Program Credits Administration