Forks (1965 B40F)

[Spaceman]

I would strongly recommend trying to unscrew them with the special tool or get someone to help you. The problem with using a Stilson is that the only part of the seal holder that you will be apply it to that won't collapse under the force is at the lower part where the thread is but all you will probably do is to squeeze it against the slider and make things worst. I have destroyed a pair of seal holders in the past in order to remove them when I found the special tool no longer engaged but it was very brutal and far from easy to do. If I remember correctly(a long time ago), I ended up having to use a cutting disk to split the holder where the thread was to release it.

[AdrianS]

The strongest part is the lip above the oil seal. If you have to sacrifice the seal holder that's where you need to put the force. This is above the threads.
I would still try as said with the proper tool making sure it is engaged properly.

[Phil C]

Efforts over for today. New Draper strap wrench given a good go but the strap broke. Might try filing the tool's lugs next, as suggested by Dave.

Phil

[Spaceman]

Unfortunately, in my experience, it is the cut outs in the seal holder that fail rather than the tool - if I remember correctly, the ring with the cut outs in them is only about 1/8" thick and hence it doesn't take much to damage them. If you lived close enough to Oxford, I would happily offer to try to undo them for you but, as said, once the tool stops engaging things become much more difficult.

[Phil C]

Today I succumbed and went along to my local motorcycle repair shop. The bloke there had the oil seal holder undone within a few minutes. Here's how he did it: clamped in a good vice (he didn't like the idea of holding it on the lug so just held it on the main body of the slider, protected by alli vice clams and rags); cleaned up the edges of the pegs on the tool, using his bench grinder; using a copper mallet, did a lot of gentle tapping around the circumference in the thread area; using an oxy-acetylene torch, gently played a naked flame around it; using the tool (no extension, no shock) undid the seal holder. Didn't work at first, but didn't take long. I was delighted, but on the way home was disappointed in myself really: it was after all very doable, I should have done more tapping, should have used a naked flame (btw, it didn't damage the chrome as far as I can see), should have squared up the tool's pegs and tried again, as suggested by Dave and Spaceman. In short, I gave up too soon. Oh well, at least I've learnt. Next time...
Phil

[idie]

Don't knock yourself we never know everything even if we think we do.

[chaz]

I didnt worry too much when I did the B40 as the chrome was dented and scuffed so use a chain strap wrench . already had new replacements to fit as doing seals at same time as the total rebuild