how to put front end back by myself?

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cooperplace
Posts: 334
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2014 12:49 pm
Location: down under

how to put front end back by myself?

Postby cooperplace » Thu May 15, 2014 8:35 am

I've taken the front end off my 250 Monza, and it's a piece of cake to get it off, but it always seems to be a 2-person job to get it back together. Every time I try by myself, there are ball bearings oozing out. Does anyone have any tricks enabling them to put the forks back on with just one operator? I'd be very grateful to learn of them.

I've searched for this, apologies if this has been covered elsewhere.
be nice, I'm not very bright.

Jordan
Posts: 1380
Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:29 am

Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby Jordan » Thu May 15, 2014 10:42 am

The steering head on a single is a pain to work on, unless you remove the wheel, guard and fork tubes.

There's no way to secure the bearings unless the top triple clamp is in place - especially frustrating if you want to just work on clip on handlebars.

Very similar to late singles is the front end fitted to parallel twins. On these, there's a nut under the top triple clamp, a small addition that makes work a lot easier.
This could be neat upgrade, if it's not against your religion.

cooperplace
Posts: 334
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2014 12:49 pm
Location: down under

Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby cooperplace » Fri May 16, 2014 7:34 am

Jordan wrote:The steering head on a single is a pain to work on, unless you remove the wheel, guard and fork tubes.

There's no way to secure the bearings unless the top triple clamp is in place - especially frustrating if you want to just work on clip on handlebars.

Very similar to late singles is the front end fitted to parallel twins. On these, there's a nut under the top triple clamp, a small addition that makes work a lot easier.
This could be neat upgrade, if it's not against your religion.

a nut under the triple clamp? I'm not with you, I'm sorry. How would this help?

I was thinking of using a jack or something to lift up the forks, with the bottom bearings stuck in place with grease.

Would I need to fit a parallel twin triple clamp?

Thanks
be nice, I'm not very bright.

Jordan
Posts: 1380
Joined: Fri Dec 24, 2010 11:29 am

Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby Jordan » Fri May 16, 2014 9:13 am

No, sorry, the parallel twin forks idea is only for late model singles, not your Monza.

My advice is to remove the wheel, guard and fork tubes.
If you find a better way, let us know.

smack
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed May 07, 2014 5:25 am
Location: Forster NSW Australia

Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby smack » Fri May 16, 2014 9:29 am

I have this to look forward to, please post pics.

Cam3512
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Location: Ocean County, NJ
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Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby Cam3512 » Sat May 17, 2014 3:32 am

Definitely a job for four hands. Even then, it took some work to get everything locked down without any bearings moving or falling out. Use sticky red grease. We were able to zip tie the lower tree and stem up into the neck by screwing the front tank mount bolts into the neck and using those as anchor points for the zip ties until we could get the top tree and nut tightened down. Getting the fork tubes pulled up into the trees was a blast too (Not).

Cam

cooperplace
Posts: 334
Joined: Fri Apr 25, 2014 12:49 pm
Location: down under

Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby cooperplace » Sat May 17, 2014 6:01 am

Cam3512 wrote:Definitely a job for four hands. Even then, it took some work to get everything locked down without any bearings moving or falling out. Use sticky red grease. We were able to zip tie the lower tree and stem up into the neck by screwing the front tank mount bolts into the neck and using those as anchor points for the zip ties until we could get the top tree and nut tightened down. Getting the fork tubes pulled up into the trees was a blast too (Not).

Cam

yeah that pretty much describes my experience. I can get the front end back on with someone to help. But even with guard and wheel removed, I can't get it all back together by myself. Yes, I have friends, but I sometimes like to work on my bike late at night, like midnight.
be nice, I'm not very bright.

gtrench
Posts: 31
Joined: Thu May 02, 2013 1:33 am
Location: Southern California, USA

Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby gtrench » Sat May 17, 2014 4:43 pm

Something like this helps A LOT. I made one from some threaded rod and an old top fork nut.
-Gabe
(btw, hope we're allowed to post ebay screen shots...if not, sorry!)
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JimF
Site Admin
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Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby JimF » Sat May 17, 2014 9:56 pm

+1 for the sticky red grease trick. I just pack that thick wheel bearing grease around the ball bearings to hold them in place.

Jim

syrup head
Posts: 24
Joined: Wed Apr 24, 2013 1:52 am

Re: how to put front end back by myself?

Postby syrup head » Sat May 17, 2014 11:36 pm

Hi Cooperplace
I used thick grease on the bearings and rapped a ratched tie down around the top and bottom yokes this kept everything in place so you didnt mislodge any ball bearing.Hope this is of some help.
Cheers Syrup head


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