C15 Forks

[Freewheeler1968]

Hi there,

I would really appreciate your help please.

I'm working on a C15 rebuild and have got as far stripping the forks - I bought one of those four point wrenches to remove the oil seal holder but cannot get it past the lip at the top of the holder - in fact, the diameter of the lip is exactly the same as the chrome threaded part which has the four cutouts so theres no way the tool will ever fit.

Im not overly familiar with BSA's and cant work out what is wrong. Either the tool is a poor fit or these arent C15 forks although I think they are the heavyweight ones. I know theres a lot of interchangeability on BSA's and thought maybe something else has been fitted, not uncommon with bikes this old.

Are these C15 forks? If not, any idea what they are off so i can get the correct tool please?

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10225939317623684&set=a.10225939316423654

Nick

[Freewheeler1968]

Just looking at page 80 on Ratio's book the oil seal holder on mine looks to be the later type with the facility for the second seal.

Does this sound right? I think mine is a 73 frame with a 59 engine (dizzy type).

nick

[Spaceman]

The BSA forks are normally undone using a special tool in the form of a tube that slides down the stanchion into the top of the seal holder. The end of the tube has two prongs that engage in the corresponding cut outs within the seal holder allowing it to be turned using the bars sticking out sideways at the top of the tool.

Not sure what the forks are in the pic - any chance of some pics of the complete fork including the seal holder?

[Spaceman]

You didn't say what year the C15 was. If it is an early one then the forks are a bit like those on the Tiger Cub from which the C15 was derived and the seal holders have castellations in the top edge. The tool shown in the pic is of the correct type but presumably not the right diameter?

[Spaceman]

On the Tiger Cub, the seal collar is unscrewed using a C-spanner but, for the early C15, I see that special tool 61-6017 is recommended which is a bit like a C-spanner but with 2 x prongs on either side.  However, the tool you have looks as though it should also do the job.

In your first post, I didn't quite understand the difficulty you are having using the tool you have which I assume you were trying to insert from above? The seal itself is pressed into the top of the collar and then a cover is pressed down into the top of the collar above the seal. Is the problem that the tool will not slide past the seal cover? If so, it should be possible to separate the cover from the collar and slide it off the stanchion out of the way.

[JulianS]

Presuming the forks are C15 with the later type of seal holder here is no way that tool will fit. It would probably fit the earier type with one seal.

You need one like this, which has only a semi circle so it fits the holder. If the one you have is strong enough you might be able to adapt it.