Topic: cl360 fork re-assembly help needed

[Popwood]

My son is rehabbing a cl360 and is struggling with getting the front fork assembly back together. He asked me to post the following looking for a tip or trick. Thanks in advance from a grateful dad.

Hey Dad could you do me a favor and post something on your forum.  I'm finally putting the front forks together on cl and cant get the allen bolts at bottom of assembly to tighten up because the damper rod is spinning along with it.  Ive read about people using a torque wrench and a tool that Honda makes that holds the damper rod in place but I'd like to avoid having to buy that tool.  I'd consider a torque wrench as that would have many applications.  Anyhow ask if anybody has any ideas and or whether or not they recommend loctite on this as well. 

[Green550F]

never ad a 360 fork apart, but I know one that needs a new seal badly. I'll be watching this thread for info as well!

[Johnie]

My son is rehabbing a cl360 and is struggling with getting the front fork assembly back together. He asked me to post the following looking for a tip or trick. Thanks in advance from a grateful dad.

Hey Dad could you do me a favor and post something on your forum.  I'm finally putting the front forks together on cl and cant get the allen bolts at bottom of assembly to tighten up because the damper rod is spinning along with it.  Ive read about people using a torque wrench and a tool that Honda makes that holds the damper rod in place but I'd like to avoid having to buy that tool.  I'd consider a torque wrench as that would have many applications.  Anyhow ask if anybody has any ideas and or whether or not they recommend loctite on this as well. 

The forks on a number of CM400's I did are about the same.  To tighten the lower fork bolt and keep the damper from spinning some guys will cut a broomstick and put it in place of the spring to hold that damper from spinning while tightening it.  I was lucky enough to just put the fork spring and top cap back on and tighten the top fork cap down.  That gave enough pressure to hold the lower internals in place to tighten the lower hex bolt.  My 1980 CM400 Honda service manual calls for blue Lock-Tite on the threads of the lower hex bolt.  Be sure not to lose the brass or copper washer that is on the hex bolt.  At least I had it on mine.  It should be in decent shape so it does not leak.  Hope this gives you a hand here.

[Popwood]

Thanks for that tip/trick, Johnie. I'm sure he'll give it a shot.

[Bill Vaughan]

I've rebuilt CL360 forks and it goes exactly as Johnie described - using the spring or a broomstick handle, if needed.

One suggestion:  Use a thread sealant on the allen head bolts.  I've had good luck with Permatex High Temperature Thread Sealant, Item #59214.

[Popwood]

My son reports the job got done. Said he'd read somewhere else about the broom handle trick. He came up with another solution I'll share. He bought a tool to chuck in his drill/driver that fit the allen bolt. The drill/driver speed overtook how fast the dampener could turn so snugged it right up.

Again, thanks for the suggestions.