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TECHNICAL MOTOBRICK WRENCHING In Remembrance of Inge K. => The Motobrick Workshop => Topic started by: arne on July 15, 2019, 07:05:04 PM

Title: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: arne on July 15, 2019, 07:05:04 PM
Trying to mount back original handlebars on Gertrude, my K75... After removing the cafe racer style strap-ons handlebars and un-mounting the commands I realized that I didn't have enough room to insert the OG handlebars: the fork arms had been raised/front end lowered by the previous owner...
(http://s141702678.onlinehome.fr/filechute/IMG_1754.jpg)(http://s141702678.onlinehome.fr/filechute/IMG_1751.jpg)
I now need to lower back the forks.
I am a complete noob and have some questions before starting the operation:
Thanks for reading and sorry for the bad english
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: caveman on July 16, 2019, 06:55:52 AM
Just loosen the pinch bolts on the steering stem and you should be able to grab the upper fork tube and gently twist and pull down. Work both sides down a little at a time, no hammer required! You may want to loosen the axle pinch bolts as well and re set the axle by bouncing front end down with the front brake.
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: natalena on July 16, 2019, 07:36:04 AM
As Caveman says, and the tops of the tubes will be level with the top triple clamp. The black plastic covers extend a bit above the clamps. Great advice on being sure the axle is not torqued, as shimmy may result. Personally, I try not to hit any parts that have bearings involved (triple tree), and use a clamp to press out a tight fit, or use penetrating oil to slide out.
When done, you'll have about a 1/2cm of space between the tube plastic cap and the bottom of the handlebar.
* sidebar: how big were your 'strap-ons', just curious?
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: johnny on July 16, 2019, 07:41:24 AM
greetings...

removing the cafe racer style strap-ons handlebars...

ha ha ha...

at least he didnt getts far enough into the cafe bastardization that you need to reloop the deloop...

j o
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Soggz on July 16, 2019, 08:46:21 AM
 Bloody Hell!.. A working clock!
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: arne on July 16, 2019, 03:55:04 PM
Thank you so much for the help in this de-bastardization process guys! Will keep you updated

* sidebar: how big were your 'strap-ons', just curious?
I have no clue about their bigness, have nothing to compare with... but they were f*****g low! was a bit scary to bring it home in this crazy body position
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Soggz on July 17, 2019, 02:53:28 AM
Thank you so much for the help in this de-bastardization process guys! Will keep you updated
I have no clue about their bigness, have nothing to compare with... but they were f*****g low! was a bit scary to bring it home in this crazy body position
Hi. Did it have rearsets on?
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: billday on July 17, 2019, 07:00:16 AM
Thank you for your service (un-trashing a perfectly good motobrick).
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Laitch on July 17, 2019, 09:17:24 AM
. . . was a bit scary to bring it home in this crazy body position
Bringing it home is what strap-ons are all about. Good luck with your restoration.
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: arne on July 18, 2019, 03:17:53 PM
...so I took half of the afternoon off yesterday to work on the forks thinking I could ride later in the evening... Got the jack and some piece of wood, lifted the front and started to remove the bracket of the Ducati headlight that was on the way. First screw was ok, second was drilled, I insisted a bit too much and drilled it more... Now I am stuck with these cheap soft screws, they are concave and hard to grab with a plier. Don't know what to do.

(http://s141702678.onlinehome.fr/filechute/IMG_3455.jpg)
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Soggz on July 18, 2019, 03:24:09 PM
Grinder
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: johnny on July 18, 2019, 03:27:41 PM
greetings...

when i was racing for the ducati factory team all the engineers as well as the ridors were issued a ducati red special titan tool kit...

you need one of these...

j o
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Laitch on July 18, 2019, 03:41:45 PM
Now I am stuck with these cheap soft screws, they are concave and hard to grab with a plier. Don't know what to do.
Actually, the screw heads are convex, not concave.

On stubborn screws and bolts, use of a heat gun on the screw followed by a spray of penetrant like Liquid Wrench, a couple of knocks on the screw head with a hammer then a few minutes meditation time will usually result in successful removal when it is attempted afterwards. Right now, you can use that method on the remaining screw but after you heat it, drive a torx bit into its opening, let it cool then wind out the screw; otherwise; the more drastic measures of filing or grinding might need to be undertaken.
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: billday on July 18, 2019, 03:50:24 PM
Use the cutting wheel on your Dremel to cut a slot for a nice fat straight blade screwdriver.

Or, use the cutting wheel on your Dremel to grind flats out of the round shoulder on opposite sides, then grab it with a Vice Grips.
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Laitch on July 18, 2019, 03:59:26 PM
Your options are multiplying here like titan wrenches, arne. Press on!
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: arne on July 18, 2019, 04:16:06 PM
Thanks so much guys!

Quote
Actually, the screw heads are convex, not concave.
put this on my dyslexia

Gonna go first with hammering a Torx in the screw after heating it + Liquid Wrench and see. Will grind it if I can't make it.

btw, are the Titan much better than say my husky ones?


Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: natalena on July 18, 2019, 05:51:30 PM
Personally, I find the Dremel screw slot very scintillating and ends well ... usually have a smoke afterwards.
Second choice would be the rougher method of screw extractor use, but since you already have the holes started, it may be easier.
* Brace your hand when Dremeling, as the cutting disc can scamper away, often into the wires.
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: natalena on July 18, 2019, 05:53:20 PM

when i was racing for the ducati factory team all the engineers as well as the ridors were issued a ducati red special titan tool kit...

Fake News! Those aren't metric ;)   And, yes, Husky's are fine for wenches, unless picked up late at night. Spelling adjusted for dyslexia. :)
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Laitch on July 18, 2019, 06:00:25 PM
when Dremeling . . . the cutting disc can scamper away. . ..
Where've them goldurn Dremels scampered off to now, Hazel?
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: arne on July 22, 2019, 07:16:11 PM
Failed miserably at removing the screw, used a Dremel to cut a new notch in it, still couldn't unscrew it with a screwdriver (too tight) then tried to deepen the notch and fucked it up completely... "Bravo!"
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Laitch on July 22, 2019, 07:59:33 PM
Failed miserably at removing the screw, used a Dremel to cut a new notch in it, still couldn't unscrew it with a screwdriver (too tight) then tried to deepen the notch and fucked it up completely... "Bravo!"
Time for the grinder! :yippee:
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Soggz on July 23, 2019, 03:02:42 AM
I did say use a grinder, quite a few posts ago! Just replace the bolts! It’s sooo much easier!
Title: Re: new handlebar - lowering the forks
Post by: Soggz on July 23, 2019, 03:05:10 AM
Or use mole grips. I guess you might call them vice clamps/pliers, or something.