Author Topic: Cb500 fork rebuild trouble  (Read 1835 times)

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Offline Cleric40

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Cb500 fork rebuild trouble
« on: March 03, 2015, 09:50:29 AM »
Hi all,

I started to rebuild my 73 cb500 forks and ran into a bit of a snag with a somewhat stripped out bottom Allen bolt on the fork lowers. I tried soaking with PB blaster but I the bolts are too far stripped to get out. See pics.

So my question is two fold, what are your suggestion for removing  this bolt with damaging the fork lowers(inside and out) and if I can get them out, where could I replacement parts?

Thanks in advance! :)


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Offline calj737

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Re: Cb500 fork rebuild trouble
« Reply #1 on: March 03, 2015, 11:41:39 AM »
To replace, use a stainless socket head screw, there's nothing special about the bolt. There is a crush washer beneath it that is important.

To remove that, you've got a few options:
- easiest to me is to weld a short bolt to it and then use a socket or hex wrench to remove it.
- heat the ever-loving dog piss out of it first, and I mean cherry red, then insert a square drive extension into it and turn that out with a ratchet.
- drill it out with left hand drill bits.

That bolt connects to the damper rod internally and it will spin endlessly if, the oil is emptied and the spring/top but are off the fork already. Use a wooden broom handle wedged inside to hold the rod while you remove the bolt.

Also, use a dab of Antiseize when reinstalling the bolt on the threads.
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline Restoration Fan

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Re: Cb500 fork rebuild trouble
« Reply #2 on: March 03, 2015, 11:55:39 AM »
I had the same problem on one of mine. 

Bill Benton got it out for me.  He drilled a small pilot hole into the head.  With it inserted into a vice to hold it steady, he used a left-hand bit to get it out.

I would have tried to weld something onto it myself but I had one problem.  I don't have a welder.  ;D
Ron

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Offline Cleric40

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Re: Cb500 fork rebuild trouble
« Reply #3 on: March 03, 2015, 04:27:08 PM »
Good news guys, Got both bolts out!

Now a quick clean up question, are all the parts (fork lowers, damper rods, fork tubes) safe to soak in a pinesol/water degrease bath?

I want to clean the oil out and grease off the outside before starting to polish


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Offline calj737

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Re: Cb500 fork rebuild trouble
« Reply #4 on: March 03, 2015, 04:29:22 PM »
Yup!
'74 550 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=126401.0
'73 500 Build http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=132935.0

"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis