Topic: disassembling forks

[paulages]

okay, never done forks before. would anybody be willing to walk me through the disassembly procedure for a cb550?

i have the oil drained, tops opened up and springs removed, but i'm unsure of how to remove the seals after removing the circlips. also, is the clymers diagram really out of proportion? according to it, underneath the top fork screw should be locknut at the top of the dampener. looking clear down the fork tube, after removing the spring there's nothing there. i assume that's why the allen screw on the bottom of it just spins without loosening, if i can't undo the locknut.

should i just change the seals and leave them alone otherwise? how the hell do you get the old seals off anyway? 

[Einyodeler]

Hey Paul
Check out this link:

http://oldmanhonda.com/MC/Rforks.html

[paulages]

thanks. that's pretty much what i thought i'm supposed to be doing, but the screw on the bottom to release the damper just turns without doing anything, and the manual refers to this retainer nut on top of the damper which i can't even see.

[hahnda]

Happen to have an impact wrench? That might help. If not you will have to stick something down there to keep it from turning. A broomstick or something similar with a little creative carving in the end can be wedged in there good enough to get most of them out.

Kevin

[Einyodeler]

I`ve gotten most of mine loose by leaving the springs in and the top cap on and that usually puts enough pressure on the damper to turn the bolt.

[scott_cb650]

I just rebuilt my forks this past Sunday, 1979 cb650.
The damper bolt came out quite easily with an impact wrench.
I agree that a rod, or leaving the spring in, should hold it enough for the impact wrench.

The #$%* for me was getting the old seals out.
I didn't have a puller so I had to pry them out with a screwdriver.

[GoatBaSS]

A lengthy dowel of some girth will help stop the rotation, and allow you to remove the allen bolt. If the seals are as bad as my last ones were, the cutting wheel on a dremmel tool and a careful hand and eye as not to marr the grooved chamber. After several other attempts that was the best solution for me. Good luck