Dismantling Telesco Forks

[Duccout]

Can anyone tell me how to dismantle the Telesco forks on my 1978 Strada? I have the wheel out, the oil drain plugs out, the seal circlips out and the springs out, but can see no way of seperating the stanctions from the sliders. The forks do not have a screw on seal holder like earlier models and I have tried to knock the bushes out by using the slider like a slide hammer, but nothing is moving.

[Jon Pegler]

The top bush on post 1975 Telesco forks screws into the slider.
You have to use a strap wrench or large water pump type pliers to unscrew it.
They are often very tight.
Once unscrewed, the whole stanchion will come out.
The bottom bush is a larger diameter than the stanchion itself and this is what is preventing them coming apart.
If you look back a few pages of questions on this forum there is a question about 250 Strada Telesco forks, originally posted by Spraggy. I replied to his question with a photo of some Vento forks, which are similar to Strada forks, including a photo of all the parts dismantled.
Jon

IMGP0870.JPG

[Duccout]

Thanks, Jon,

My forks look nothing like those in the picture. I cannot see any sign of a join where the top bush is screwed in, unless the paint has been applied over the whole slider and has completely covered the joint; is that possible?

[Jon Pegler]

I think you will find that paint is covering the join.
The only real difference between the Vento/Forza Telesco forks and the Strada ones is the cast on brackets to hold the disc calipers.
The join between the slider and the top bush will be about 15mm from the top of the stanchion.

Jon

[Ventodue]

My forks look nothing like those in the picture.

Got some photos, Colin?

[Duccout]

Jon is right! I've just had a good look and thick paint was covering the joint. Thank you for the help. Now to find a way of undoing them......I may have to devise some sort of clamp; I just hope that the two parts are not rusted together. This bike looks like it was stored in the desert; although the previous owner obviously washed it off, all the nooks and crannies are full of sand. Hope it isn't in the engine as well....

[Duccout]

Forks are apart! After a titanic struggle, and employing all the best engineering practice that I could think of, I finally gave up and resorted to a pair of pipe wrenches; those seal holders are bloody tight!

One fork leg was full of thick rusty oil and one was full of rust, so there is a big clean up to be done.