Fork Spring Compressor | GTAMotorcycle.com

Fork Spring Compressor

MTRCYCLS

Well-known member
Anyone know any places that might carry front fork spring compressors in stock? I am going to try RoyalD and GP tomorrow but was wondering if anyone knows of any other places I can look. I know I can order online but I was hoping to do my suspension this weekend.
 
Fork spring?
I've used spring compressors for her shocks but never a front fork, how would that even work?

If there is serious preload on the spring it's the socket or spanner you are going to need to press down on is it not?
... oh, just looked at your bike list, USD forks I take it.
 
If the fork cartridges are anything like the Ohlins cartridges in my race bike, you can do it with a wrench without needing the special Ohlins tool. Back the preload setting completely out. Pull the inner damping rod up (with the locknut already in place), push the top of the spring down enough to slip a wrench over the damping rod braced against the top nut (top of spring only needs to be pushed down maybe 10mm in my case). Then you install the top cap and snug the locknut and fork cap in place.

The only thing the Ohlins special tool buys you is the ability to walk away from the half-finished job with the fork spring compressor in place and the fork cap not installed yet ...

If your fork cartridges require the springs to be compressed significantly more, with impractically large force, then you need that tool.
 
Correct. USD Forks. Need to compress the spring in order to thread on the fork cap.
 
I modified the spring washers on my GL 1500 to take a spring compressor. No need to lean on a socket to get the nut started.
 
If the fork cartridges are anything like the Ohlins cartridges in my race bike, you can do it with a wrench without needing the special Ohlins tool. Back the preload setting completely out. Pull the inner damping rod up (with the locknut already in place), push the top of the spring down enough to slip a wrench over the damping rod braced against the top nut (top of spring only needs to be pushed down maybe 10mm in my case). Then you install the top cap and snug the locknut and fork cap in place.

The only thing the Ohlins special tool buys you is the ability to walk away from the half-finished job with the fork spring compressor in place and the fork cap not installed yet ...

If your fork cartridges require the springs to be compressed significantly more, with impractically large force, then you need that tool.
I have a cartridge kit from Matris. The fork spring compressors i see wont actually fit 100%. It wouldnt be a perfect tool but it will get the job done.
 
I'm looking at generic photos of Matris cartridges on google now. Try the wrench method. Have the front of the bike supported by a stem stand so that the forks are completely unloaded. Back preload off completely. After you undo the top cap, see if pushing down the spacer above the spring with reasonable force uncovers the locknut underneath the top cap (you will need to hold the fork cap to stop the damper rod from compressing while doing this - it's easy). If that works, see what the diameter of the center rod is (probably 8mm or 10mm), and see if you can compress the spring by hand and shove a wrench of that size over the center rod to hold the top spacer down (then you can use a 12mm or 13mm wrench to hold the locknut). Worth giving this a go before you chase around for that special tool.
 
Does the OEM service manual show a picture of a special tool for that job? That is usually the best place to start.
Chances are if they don't, then it can be done without anything special.
 
Does the OEM service manual show a picture of a special tool for that job? That is usually the best place to start.
Chances are if they don't, then it can be done without anything special.
The oem internals are different than the matris stuff. I managed to wrestle with the first fork and i got it installed. Hands are killing me though. I should be able to finish the rest this weekend but I will def be buying a special tool because i plan one switching out the suspension on my track bike next spring.

Thanks for the help peeps.
 
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