Hi all and thanks for accepting me on the forum. First question, probably of many: is there an easy way to remove the fork shrouds for painting on my '69 Fleetstar without dismantling the entire forks? TIA
You have to undo the split yoke bolts, remove the top nuts, insert threaded tool extractor/ puller tool ( I have 61-3350 as it suits nearly all British bikes) and tap the stanchion out of yokes.
You can just buy a BSA one for about £40.
The shrouds then wriggle off.
Some people say thread a length of broom handle into the top and hit with mallet but you risk bits of splintered handle going down into the fork so I can't recommend that!
To remove the stanchions do a Neil says except, to release them from the top yoke undo the top nuts a couple turns then tap them with a soft faced hammer. This will break the taper allowing you remove the stations down through the bottom yokes.
For re-assembly you may need the puller tool but I've done it successfully a few times by screwing a length of broom handle into the stanchions and pulling them up into the top yoke. You may need to use a screwdriver or similar as wedge to open the gap on the bottom yoke slightly allowing the stanchion to slide through easily. If you can get the stanchions into the taper and a ¼" or less from the top, screwing in the cap nuts will pull the stanchions fully into the taper.
Thanks. Sounds rather too much work for the sake of a bit of paint. I think they're going to get painted in situ!