Topic: 6mm bolt on fork won't tighten.

[76four]

I am reassembling my fork on my 76 cb550 and the 6mm bolt (hex head) on the underside of the fork tube won't tighten.  On the other fork it tightened fine, but the other one just keeps spinning like it is about to tightened but I just keep ratcheting it under pressure.  No, it is not stripped I have taken it apart several times to make sure it isn't doing damage.  I pushed a long dowl stick down the fork shaft to try and stop that 6" pin w/ spring from spinning but I can only keep it from spinning so much.  Anyone had this issue?

[brooze72]

Did you clean out the lower fork tube & inspect before reassembly?  Maybe some oil, crap or a high spot on either mating surface preventing it from tightening?

[MoMo]

Is the fork assembled with the spring and cap?  If not, do that and the spring should give you enough pressure so that the bolt can be tightened. If that does not work, turn the fork upside down and push down so there is even more tension..Larry

[ekpent]

Stick a broom handle up the fork tube and push the fork lower down on it when tightning. That will hold the interior goodies and get it to tighten. Its the ole' broom handle trick 

[johnrdupree]

I made a special tool for that job, if a socket with a groove cut in it counts as a special tool.  The groove in the socket engages the pin that is in the top of the damper rod so you can hold it in place.  Post with pics:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=84133.msg948284#msg948284

Cheap, easy, reliable.

~john

[ekpent]

Looks more impressive than my broom handle with duct tape on the end 

[m in sc]

use a 3/8" impact gun and zip it in.

[BobbyR]

+1 on broomstick. Served mechanics well for 30 years.