Topic: Stuck TOP fork bolt - CB500K1

[thanantos]

I've done a lot of reading and research to try and figure this out, but it seems most folks have problems with the lower/allen bolt on their forks. My problem is the top bolt.
part# 18 here: http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/1972-honda-cb500k1/o/m9200#sch396343

I first tried to remove that bolt just to drain the fluid and found that it came out of the threads, popped up about a 1/4 inch beyond that and just stuck there. It would just spin and spin.

I then pulled the fork and removed the allen bolt without much hassle. I removed the upper fork assembly  but that whole assembly is stuck together and I can't get the top bolt off.

Any ideas?

[Gordon]

I've never heard of that specific problem before.   May have been cross-threaded the last time it was put back on. 

[ekpent]

That is steel on steel doesnt seem to easy to strip. Are you sure you have not undone or unscrewed all the threads and the cap is just being held on by that large rubber o-ring. Grab ahold of that sucker with some large pliers or channel locks and give it a good manly tug with a twist or two and see if it pops right off. Also maybe while turning the cap pry up with a screwdriver or flat bar. 

[Gordon]

Ah, yes.  Didn't think about the o-ring holding it in. 

[thanantos]

Here's a pic of what I have:



The bottom allen bolt is in and tight. Top bolt just spins.

[Gordon]

Oh.  I thought you were having trouble removing the top fork bolt from the fork itself.  That looks strange to me.  I've never worked on 500 forks before, but on every other bike I've had the top bolt isn't physically connected to anything inside the fork.  It's just a cap. 

[ekpent]

With Gordon on that---I am just a 750 Guy,hopefully someone knows more about all that.

[mrrch]

I believe you have to undo the lock nut (#9)below the fork cap then unthread the damper rod from the top cap.

[thanantos]

I believe you have to undo the lock nut (#9)below the fork cap then unthread the damper rod from the top cap.

That must be it. I was just home for lunch looking it over and I think that is correct.

Thanks guys. I'll reply back for sure once I get it apart.

[thanantos]

I believe you have to undo the lock nut (#9)below the fork cap then unthread the damper rod from the top cap.

Just wanted to add a conclusion here for others that might happen upon this problem.

Mrrch is correct. Throw a crescent wrench on the locknut and spin the fork cap off. Silly me.