Topic: Tricks for Starting Fork Cap Bolt

[Popwood]

Changing fork oil on CB750 K5. I always struggle to get the fork cap bolt started enough to catch a thread. Either the spring or O-ring make it hard to compress the bolt enough to get threads started. You clever fellows must have a trick or two. Thanks.

[seanbarney41]

Lots of grease on the o ring and threads...its a snap with the handlebars out of the way.

[PeWe]

Fork fully stretched out easier when front is lifted with wheel in  the air.

Press cap hard down to fork and rotate it. Press until the nut has done 2-3 turns in threads.

Oil on o-ring to let it glide in without harming it.

[jakec]

support the bike by the oil filter before you take the caps off. if you do this then putting the caps back on is easy.

[Popwood]

Thanks all. I got it before seeing your replies. Used a dowel about a foot long with diameter smaller than the hex head on bolt. This gave me enough grip to push down and seat the bolt where threads begin. Then simply used wrench to start the bolt. Was pretty easy. And yes, front wheel off the ground. Now the other side.

[jayrdee]

I bought one of those 24mm Nylon fork cap wrenches from that Vintage CB750 place. Its only $8.

The "head" on it is pretty wide so its easy to put the wrench on and apply pressure with one hand and turn with the other.

[754]

Use a  ratchet. Press down on it with one hand, turn handle with the other.
A while ago I added a bunch of preload in Ceriani forks as spring's were too weak. Like had to push it down 1.5 inches  to start threads.. quite hard. So I started making a tool that clamps to the fork and pushes the cap down with a screw, allowing you to turn the nut easily to startl did not finish it. When I get shop setup soon, hope to finish that  tool off..

[dave500]

speed brace.

[Popwood]

Thanks, everyone.

[Mark1976]

yeah, i'm in the camp with using a ratchet, also lots and lots of profanity, it just seems to work better that way....