Finally...

[darthandy]

After three months of inactivity, I've finally gotten back to the fork seal replacement on my '87 VR. Can't see how to remove the air ride collars on the upper tubes though. I've loosened the bolts a bit, but now the rubber tubes on them spin the bolt back with each turn. I need to get these off to get the upper tube out to finish the seal install. I tried the method from the tech library section, but I just can't get the seal and bushings seated properly that way. This is my "last gasp" effort as I have pretty much had it with this job. I'm not certain I can even get it put back together now, but if I can at least get the fork together and the wheel back on, it will be easier to move the bike. Failing that, I will completely strip it and put the parts on ebay. It was running quite well when I stored it last November and everything still works, so I may be able to get some decent money for the pieces, but I need to get it out of my garage and somewhere else to dismantle it...so, I need to get the fork and the wheel back on so that I can move it.

 

Now then...how do I remove the air ride collars? The description in the manual says "Remove air ride collars." Wow...that's really helpful! Sorry, but since I'm not that bright or talented, I need just a bit more info. Right now, my angle grinder with a cutting blade is looking mighty attractive!

 

Andy

[eagleeye]

Andy,

 

Sorry I can't specifically answer your question, but-------

 

Have you gone to the tech section and under 1st gen, suspension, looked at the fork seal replacement article?

I used it years ago to do mine.

 

Steve

[darthandy]

Andy,

 

Sorry I can't specifically answer your question, but-------

 

Have you gone to the tech section and under 1st gen, suspension, looked at the fork seal replacement article?

I used it years ago to do mine.

 

Steve

 

Yes I did, as I mentioned in my post. Couldn't do it that way so I have to pull the tubes right out and the air ride collars are preventing that.

[muffinman]

Its been a while but I think that they are held in place by the orings I remember having to push one back in place on one of the bikes a long time ago.If they have no snap type rings then they slide off try a block of wood and a little tap with a hammer.

Jeff

[sgn]

... they are held in place by the orings ...... try a block of wood and a little tap with a hammer.

 

 

Jeff

 

As Muffinman said, I used a piece of pvc pipe and came at mine from underneath, a tap with the rubber hammer on the bottom of the pipe pushed them up and then the forks will slide down. Getting them back on just slide them down with a firm push ...

[Trader]

There IS a wire snap ring that has to come off.

 

It is #4 in the diagram, Can't remember if it is at the BOTTOM of the air collar or between the o-rings!.

 

I just used a very fine screw driver.

 

The collars themselves are a friction fit...O ring near the top and near the bottom is all that seals them.

 

Once the clip is off, and the triple tree clamps are loose, the forks should just slide right out.

Edited September 28, 2011 by Trader

[mother]

with the rings on the fork tube, lube the air rings with a bit of wd-40, let them sit for wd to soak in. then i used a pair of slip pliers and try to rotate the ring a little each way. like others have posted, you may have to tap on the ring with a wood drift and hammer as they are stubborn little things. once they start to move, the fork tube can be lowered in the triple tree and the rings go up. you will notice a circlip on the fork, this is where you will slide the ring back on to when re-assembling.

 

cheers, Scott

[Snaggletooth]

Gee, I've done this a few times in the last couple years. LOL! The spring clip is below the air collar. The collar needs to be moved up just a bit to get to them. They are very thin and you can feel them with your finger tips once you get the collar moved up. I can lift them off with my finger nail once I reach them.

 

I've had to use a drift everytime I needed to move them. Once they are on, they grip like crazy.

 

Be careful when using the drift. Try to get it against the alignment tabs on the collars and not against the air line fittings. It takes a pretty good shot with a mallet on the drift to move them up. Once you break the bond of the O-rings you can start twisting and then work them off pretty easy.

 

Once you get the clips off and the collar loose take care as the tubes can slide out very quickly.

 

When prepping for the new seal install make sure to cover the spring clip groove with a layer of electrical tape. The groove will slice the seal lip real easy when sliding the new seal in.

 

When reinstalling the air collars coat the O-rings with oil and they slide in real nice. Get the the clip back on to hold the tubes in. Make sure you aligne the tabs with the proper place so they air lines are held in the right spot for clearance.

 

Mike

[darthandy]

Thansk everyone. I'll get to it tomorrow.

 

Andy

[Venturous Randy]

can slide out very quickly.

 

When prepping for the new seal install make sure to cover the spring clip groove with a layer of electrical tape. The groove will slice the seal lip real easy when sliding the new seal in.

 

Mike

 

I was watching to see if anyone mentioned this. Due to it being thinner, I found that Scotch tape works good also and is tough enough for the seals to slide over without damaging the seal. It really is important to use some type of tape as the ring groove will definitely damage the sealing edge of the seal.

RandyA

[MiCarl]

I always twist the fork tube to break the stiction to the o-rings in the air collars. Then I can wiggle them off. There are a pair of soft rubber cushion rings between the air collar and upper tree. Watch for them as they tend to fall behind the radiator if you don't snag them.

 

Then I slide the tube down until the circlip is near the lower tree. Pretty easy to pop the clip off there.

[darthandy]

Thanks again guys!

 

Andy