Telesco forks for 250 Strada

[Spaggy]

Does anyone have any experience of stripping and rebuilding the Telescos fitted to the 250 Strada?
Having got them apart to replace the seals (done) I am now struggling to get them back together.
The issue seems to be that the compressable (hah!) bush in the stanchion won't pass through the solid one at the top of the fork slider.
After much pushing and shoving, and a load more cursing and swearing, I've given up before I do any major damage.
I read on another post that the top of the fork leg containing the bush may unscrew to enable replacement, but that doesn't appear to be the case with mine, which seem solid.
If anyone can provide some guidance it would be appreciated.
Alternatively, any link to a Telesco specialist (preferably in the UK) or manual/diagrams etc would help, as these seem to be very different from the forks used on the Vento.
There are a couple of pics attached that show the set-up, and one with the complete forks on the bike.

[Jon Pegler]

I'm not sure that your stanchions are Telesco.
They're certainly not the original fork legs for your bike.
Stradas were never fitted with leading axle forks like yours.
The yokes look like Telesco items.
The standard Telesco legs on a Strada have a top bush that screws into the top of the slider.

This is a photo of an early Vento fork leg. The Strada has a similar top bush arrangement.

Jon

[double diamond]

Your forks have mounts for a disc brake caliper as well as the leading axle John identified. Look similar to a Cagiva Indiana but the caliper is mounted on the left on that model.
The procedure to replace fork seals on bushing type forks is typically to remove the clip that retains the fork seal and give the fork tube a good yank. The upper slider bushing and fork seal will be forced out by the bushing on the fork tube. It looks like you removed the tube without removing the seal clip. To reassemble, remove the clip and fork seal and the bushing inside the slider. Then slide the slider bushing, seal and clip (in that order) on to the fork tube from the top of the tube. There may also be some washers on top of or below the seal. Grease the OD and ID of the seal and insert the fork tube into the slider. You may be able to press the fork seal in place with your fingers. If it’s too tight, you can improvise a tool (PVC pipe works well) to push the seal into the slider. Install the clip and you’re back together.

Matt

[Spaggy]

Thanks for that info guys.
Thanks to this I might be making some progress - in knowing what I've got even if not in fixing it.
I hadn't really looked closely (or even in passing) at the actual sliders, but had noted a strange arrangement for the brake plate stop locater. I just put it down to a curiosity of the Spanish bikes and didn't give it further thought. This is the lower left fork leg.

telesco (6).JPG

telesco (5).JPG

However, Jon has put me on the right track, and Double Diamond seems to have it right.
The '77 Strada should have a drum (which mine has) but it appears it has had disc forks grafted on, hence the strange mounting arrangement for the brake plate. The later bikes had a disc, and indeed (thanks DD) this is what mine has.

a1.jpg

Obviously, I have no idea how this came about, after a 40 year old bike has probably passed through several Spanish hands before finding its way into my garage.
DD was also right in that I took the forks apart in the rather ludicrous assumption that because they looked like Marzocchis, they'd come apart the same way as Marzocchis - ie, just unscrew the bottom allen bolt and slide them off. Should be a five minute job eh? Well, the first one did come off with a bit of tugging and cursing, but no tools needed.
Never in forty plus years having come across a set of forks so stupidly designed as these, I was unaware of the bushing issue until I had taken the first leg off, but I assumed the second one would do much the same. However, it needed a bit of "gentle persuasion" with a Harley tappet adjuster (2lb lump hammer) just moving it very gently until it came apart. Which is where I started looking for help!
The seals were replaced easily enough. but re-assembly is where I am struggling.
I had thought about levering the internal bushes out of the sliders, but was put off by the thought that breaking one (they don't look very substantial) would render the forks even more useless than they are now. Then, as DD suggests, re-assembling them by fitting the stanchions to the legs BEFORE putting the top bushes and seals back in will probably work. Any advice on this course of action? Things to be wary if etc?
While trying to get more info together I have spoken to a couple of suspension specialists here in the UK, but they really want to do a "proper" job and replaces the bushes etc. I can see why, but before dismantling there was no play in the forks, and it won't be doing much mileage, so it will probably be OK to just re-assemble the existing bits on the understanding it won't be perfect, but will still be OK. But it will cost me about £200 for them to do this for me.
Alternatively, I could just buy a second hand pair of Pantah forks as on e-bay this week for the same money. Same size, same "disc" arrangement, and being Marzocchis, easily stripped and serviced etc. I am not a purist, and didn't buy the bike as an investment, so I don't mind improvements of this nature at all.
So I am getting there, but just need some re-assurance that I'm not going to do any major damage to the bushes in the tops of the sliders by trying to get them out. Alternatively...anyone wanna buy a set of disc brake forks? Little used...no known faults...etc etc etc.

[Jon Pegler]

The forks in the photo of the orange Strada that you have posted are Betor forks as fitted to the disc brake Stradas.
Actually this is a Mototrans publicity photo showing Betor forks and Betor yokes (triple trees). As standard the Betor fork legs were usually fitted into Telesco yokes when the Strada went over to a disc front brake.
Note that they are not leading axle forks either. Leading axle forks were never fitted to any Mototrans machines.
There is usually plenty of Strada forks available in Spain, probably much cheaper than Marzocchis.
Late, post 1975 Ducati 250 and 350 Road models also have forks very similar to Strada forks, but with a chrome slider.
The earlier Road model forks will fit, but have a different top bush and seal arrangement, together with a few other minor differences.

Jon

[Spaggy]

Many thanks again.
After my last post I realised that the forks used for the disc braked model in the publicity photo were centre axle.
Not only are mine leading axle, but they have absolutely no identifying marks or logos to give any clue as to the actual manufacturer.
This leads me to suspect that they may not even be Telescos. I was assuming they were because this is what the spec sheet tells me.
However, knowing Ducati's propensity back in those days for fitting anything they could find in the parts bins, I would not be surprised by whatever was fitted. They may even be something Niponese to replace damaged or pitted originals etc. I have no way of knowing.
Either way, I am now just juggling the options of replacing them with a pair of Marzocchis off of a Pantah, or getting them re-furbished by someone who can actually do the job properly.
There is still the option of getting the old bushes out and rebuilding as per Double Diamond's post of the 25th.
However, anything to be wary of in this approach I'd be glad to hear about.