Author Topic: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!  (Read 11654 times)

0 Members and 4 Guests are viewing this topic.

Offline brooze72

  • Talk to my friends here at SOHC4 if you need an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,308
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #25 on: September 30, 2011, 01:37:00 PM »
 :o Scunny, not touching that line, lol.

Scott, oil weight will make a difference too.  I'm running Belray 15, seems pretty good for my size (200lb+)
2011, 2012 & 2013 Godzilla Relay Rally Rider
"Hold on loosely...don't let go
 If you cling too tightly...you're gonna lose control"
1972 CB500K1 - restored rider
1981 CB650C - new project

Offline chickenman_26

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
    • Motorcycle Consumer News
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #26 on: September 30, 2011, 02:12:31 PM »
I guess i was lucky with this one. Got it tightened no sweat.

Now, if only I could get a definitive answer on the amount of fork oil for year new Progressive springs, I'd be a happy camper. I've heard everything from 130cc to 190cc. I'm just about in the middle, maybe that will work :)
This is for your 550K? Use the amount recommended in your service manual. But before you install the springs, compress the fork tube fully into the sliders, and measure the oil level. There's no "mandatory" oil level with these springs. But they are made of larger diameter wire than the originals, so they'll elevate the oil level a bit. Progressive just says to be sure the oil level is at least 5" below the top of the fork tubes (springs out and tubes fully compressed). If it's closer to the top than that, you risk hydraulic lock. I agree that 15-weight seems to work well in these forks.

Stu
« Last Edit: September 30, 2011, 02:15:06 PM by chickenman_26 »
MCN DTF

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,512
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #27 on: September 30, 2011, 02:17:15 PM »
I'm concerned about BobbyR's facination with broom handles.

 ;D
  Bobby ??  I like them too,that's why people behave when there in my workshop.  :o  :-X  8)

Offline Nortstudio

  • Not nearly an
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,721
  • Just getting started...
    • MotoPreserve
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #28 on: September 30, 2011, 02:35:39 PM »
Thanks chickenman. I put stock in (165cc) and the level was closer to 7-8" below, based on the measurement procedure you described. So I should be safe from hydrolock, and I guess I can always add a little if they feel soft.

Based on the filth/muck that came out of the forks, I'm already in a great place. So any fine tuning will be gravy.

Appreciate all the help guys!
1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

“Success is dependent on effort.”
~Sophocles

Hinomaru

  • Guest
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #29 on: September 30, 2011, 02:59:01 PM »
Chickenman is correct, locking sealant is applied to the socket head damper bolt. Anti-sieze should not be used. For those who don’t believe it and / or need a reference, see the Honda-published shop manual supplement for clarification:

KingCustomCycles.com

  • Guest
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #30 on: September 30, 2011, 03:02:40 PM »
Chickenman is correct, locking sealant is applied to the socket head damper bolt. Anti-sieze should not be used. For those who don’t believe it and / or need a reference, see the Honda-published shop manual supplement for clarification:

That explains the total #$%* they are to remove.  Sorry, deviating from the manual on that one.  Call me a rebel.

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,512
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #31 on: September 30, 2011, 03:07:11 PM »
Grab the Sawzall and get back in the shop King---------  ;D ;D

KingCustomCycles.com

  • Guest
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #32 on: September 30, 2011, 04:25:22 PM »
Its all paint and engine work right now.  Next is a 550 cafe build and a cute little 360T.  Got 4 more 750's in line and a lead on a Magna cheap.  I love motorcycles.

Offline ekpent

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 13,512
  • To many bikes-but lookin' for more
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #33 on: September 30, 2011, 07:28:48 PM »
Its all paint and engine work right now.  Next is a 550 cafe build and a cute little 360T.  Got 4 more 750's in line and a lead on a Magna cheap.  I love motorcycles.
Lotta info in your head King-Glad to see you back here hitting it hard'

Offline Nortstudio

  • Not nearly an
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,721
  • Just getting started...
    • MotoPreserve
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #34 on: September 30, 2011, 07:38:14 PM »
Let me know how that 360 goes.  I will get back to my CL360 as soon as I'm done gearing up for this trip to Alabama.
1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

“Success is dependent on effort.”
~Sophocles

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #35 on: October 01, 2011, 05:21:37 AM »
Thanks for the backup Hino! That explains it. Locking sealant. And a 2 handed T handle would be just right for something in the 14ft lb area.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline chickenman_26

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
    • Motorcycle Consumer News
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #36 on: October 01, 2011, 05:37:52 AM »
And a 2 handed T handle would be just right for something in the 14ft lb area.
Right. Tighten till it strips, then back off a half turn.  ;D  Here's a good excuse to buy that torque wrench you've always wanted.  ;)
« Last Edit: October 01, 2011, 05:42:23 AM by chickenman_26 »
MCN DTF

Offline chickenman_26

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
    • Motorcycle Consumer News
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #37 on: October 01, 2011, 05:40:14 AM »
I will get back to my CL360 as soon as I'm done gearing up for this trip to Alabama.
Going to Barber? I'd say see you there, if we knew what each other looked like. Have a safe trip. I'm riding out of here tomorrow at dawn.

Stu
MCN DTF

Offline Nortstudio

  • Not nearly an
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,721
  • Just getting started...
    • MotoPreserve
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #38 on: October 01, 2011, 05:44:55 AM »
I will only be getting down there for Saturday, but I will try to post something up on the forum to see if we can't get a meeting place going down there.

Ride safe!
1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

“Success is dependent on effort.”
~Sophocles

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #39 on: October 01, 2011, 06:04:21 AM »
And a 2 handed T handle would be just right for something in the 14ft lb area.
Right. Tighten till it strips, then back off a half turn.  ;D  Here's a good excuse to buy that torque wrench you've always wanted.  ;)

Works for me!   ;)

PS: But really, if you'll notice, the guy in the manual isn't using a torque wrench. Hmmmm.  Don't get me wrong, I own a torque wrench and know how to use it. But you see what i mean? The manual simply says use the same tool to install that you used to remove. I've got a fair amount of experience (as I'm guessing you do to)  and would bet i could easily put a bolt in at 14ft lbs with a T handle, +/- 1 ft lb or 2, which is well within range.

So what part of the manual do we follow and what part do we not?  Such is the nature of manuals. Robert Pirsig who wrote Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance said in a small part of the book, that technical manuals are often written by people who are way down the food chain from those who should be writing/editing the manual. He was a Philosophy major who edited technical manuals, so he has some experience.

I would agree that "best practices" would have had that manual editor take the T handle out and replace it with a torque wrench, and the torque spec.   :D
« Last Edit: October 01, 2011, 07:26:17 AM by MCRider »
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Hinomaru

  • Guest
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #40 on: October 01, 2011, 08:38:27 AM »
Thanks for the backup Hino! That explains it. Locking sealant. And a 2 handed T handle would be just right for something in the 14ft lb area.

You're welcome MC. ;)

In summary ... It's probably a safe bet that anytime locking sealant is specified, it's a going to be critical fastener. Then a (calibrated) torque wrench should be used to properly finish the job. We used to call that "good engineering practice" in the maritime world.

 

Offline Nortstudio

  • Not nearly an
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,721
  • Just getting started...
    • MotoPreserve
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #41 on: October 01, 2011, 09:08:37 AM »
Just wanted to say thanks again folks. Today I have been riding a bit more than I got a chance to te past few days, since the fork rebuild. Really a big difference. Especially here on te streets of Brooklyn, where they have yet to figure out pavement :)
1976 CB550K...in progress
1975 CL360...eventually custom
2009 Husqvarna TE610

a blog about wrenching in Brooklyn, NY

“Success is dependent on effort.”
~Sophocles

Offline chickenman_26

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
    • Motorcycle Consumer News
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #42 on: October 01, 2011, 10:41:30 AM »
PS: But really, if you'll notice, the guy in the manual isn't using a torque wrench. Hmmmm. 
If you follow the genesis of service manuals, especially Honda's, you'll notice a huge difference occur around the 1980 models, and it just gets better from then on. Much more in the way of technical specs and details of specific procedures. To look at a 1970 manual and decide that some task doesn't require precision because the manual shows some gorilla tightening something with a pipe wrench can lead to a wrong conclusion. Like looking in an old medical journal and concluding the best way to cure a cold is to bleed the patient with leeches. Best to use the best and latest methods available. Just saying...

Stu
« Last Edit: October 01, 2011, 10:44:24 AM by chickenman_26 »
MCN DTF

Offline MCRider

  • Such is the life of a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,376
  • Today's Lesson: One good turn deserves another.
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #43 on: October 01, 2011, 01:28:33 PM »
PS: But really, if you'll notice, the guy in the manual isn't using a torque wrench. Hmmmm. 
If you follow the genesis of service manuals, especially Honda's, you'll notice a huge difference occur around the 1980 models, and it just gets better from then on. Much more in the way of technical specs and details of specific procedures. To look at a 1970 manual and decide that some task doesn't require precision because the manual shows some gorilla tightening something with a pipe wrench can lead to a wrong conclusion. Like looking in an old medical journal and concluding the best way to cure a cold is to bleed the patient with leeches. Best to use the best and latest methods available. Just saying...

Stu
That's interesting to know, I don't have that perspective.  My life in motorcycle shops ended around 1976. Pirsig wrote Zen, etc in 1970 (published 1974).

I appreciate your comments. And as mentioned I do own and use a torque wrench. Usually.  ;D

I've got a Honda shop manual for my 1988 Hawk GT. I'll bet it has the flavor you describe. I haven't looked in it in many years.
« Last Edit: October 01, 2011, 01:30:28 PM by MCRider »
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline cameron

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 558
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #44 on: October 01, 2011, 03:09:05 PM »
(88 Hawk GT /drool)
1976 CB550F

72500john

  • Guest
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #45 on: October 01, 2011, 05:53:55 PM »
heres a neat trick for getting stuck/buggered bolts,screws and such out. use a little vavle grinding compound on your bit, wrench or socket. yes it works. has for me for 25 years.

KingCustomCycles.com

  • Guest
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #46 on: October 02, 2011, 04:39:48 AM »
heres a neat trick for getting stuck/buggered bolts,screws and such out. use a little vavle grinding compound on your bit, wrench or socket. yes it works. has for me for 25 years.

+1 and I would add that the downward force on the phillips head is much more important then the twisting force.  Not so much with allen of hex heads. 

Offline chickenman_26

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 598
    • Motorcycle Consumer News
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #47 on: October 02, 2011, 05:32:07 AM »
Given the nature of the fork bottom bolts on these old bikes to become stuck, I often use a heat gun on them before even trying to loosen them. Saves a lot of time, frustration, and fastener damage.

Stu
MCN DTF

Offline xruss

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 66
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #48 on: October 02, 2011, 06:09:42 AM »
Any guidance on where to get a replacement fork bottom bolt for the 550?
1976 cb550k

Offline BobbyR

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 12,367
  • Proud Owner of the Babe Thread & Dirty Old Man
Re: 6mm allen bolt on bottom of fork!
« Reply #49 on: October 02, 2011, 11:34:56 AM »
I'm concerned about BobbyR's facination with broom handles.

 ;D
  Bobby ??  I like them too,that's why people behave when there in my workshop.  :o  :-X  8)

I always believe in using any tool available for the task at hand.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Dedicated to Sgt. Howard Bruckner 1950 - 1969. KIA LONG KHANH.

But we were boys, and boys will be boys, and so they will. To us, everything was dangerous, but what of that? Had we not been made to live forever?