Topic: Noob question I know, fork tube raising

[onlybetx]

So I know it's not the proper way to lower a bike but I'm just getting a feel for the bike while it's getting reworked this winter. I put lowering blocks on the rear and want to slide my fork tubes up to even it out.

I loosened the four clamp points on the tripple tree, and the tubes aren't budging. I still have the wheel atatched and was just trying to push down on the bike to get them to slide up. My next move was to remove the wheel and do each tube separately. Just wanted to check here if there was something I am missing first.

It's a 76 cb550

Thanks in advance

[chewbacca5000]

You had it right the second time undo the front wheel and adjust the fork tubes individually.  I don't think an inch would hurt.  To remove the front wheel easily put the bike up on the center stand and have someone sit on the seat, or strap a couple 5 gallon buckets with bricks to the grab bar if the bike has one.  The first time I tried taking the shocks off I tried taking both of at the same time with the front wheel on what a mess.

[MCRider]

If its like the 750, the headlight ears are masking the sin. If it has that design. The tubes under the headlight ears are corroded and not allowing the tubes to slide up into the upper clamps.

Be careful with all the clamps loosened and pushing down on the front end. If it decided to move, the tubes could come up thru the clamps fast and hard and you'll end up on the ground. Depending on the design, they could hit and stop at the handlebars. Just be careful.

AS stated, remove the front wheel, block up the front end, and twist and turn each tube individually with  some lube. If its of the design to allow it, pry open the upper and/or lower clamp just a tad.

[onlybetx]

Thanks a lot guys, this forum is much more helpful than many car forums I'm a part of. It's like a breath of fresh air. But yeah the plan is to get clip ons and move the forks up.

Also another question, the headlight brackets are connected underneath the lower tripple tree bracket. Did they weld these two parts together once the forks were assembled or something? Or is there something I'm not seeing here that makes the brackets easy to slide off?

[Don R]

I believe the headlight ears come off to the side after the fork tubes are removed from them.

[MCRider]

I believe the headlight ears come off to the side after the fork tubes are removed from them.

That'd be my guess to. I'm not a 500/550 guy but similar. You'd have to pull the tubes out the bottom to get the ears off.

Same problem there with the corrosion on the part of the tube under the ears keeping the tubes from dropping out. Once again you'd need to pry open the lower clamps so the tubes can drop out. Then you can sand off the corrosion, reinstall the tubes and get them to go up beyond the top clamp.

[onlybetx]

Alright great, thanks guys. That design for the headlight ears seems really ass backwards, but oh well.

[Danno]

correct the ears will not come off without removing the tubes