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Good evening,
Does anyone have any insights to reinstalling rebuilt forks? The stanchions do not fit easily into the triple clamps so my first inclination was a temperature solution but thought there might be some technique to spreading to the triple clamps that I am missing.
Thanks!

Hello,

What triple clamps ? (what bike ?)

Firstly, are the stanchions straight ?
If they are slightly bent they will pass through the lower clamp easily then become impossible to get through the upper.
If they are straight you can use a wedge like a stubby screwdriver to gently open the slit.
Remove any paint inside the triple clamps.

Graeme

Be careful. They are castings. They will crack if pushed too far, too hard ...

Another consideration is the risk of unsightly blemishes when chisels or screwdriver wedges are used.
I've done it but only gently, after making a mess with an early, heavy-handed attempt.
A puller tool could be used, engaging with the internal thread at the top of the tube.
A slide hammer arrangement is probably the simplest way to apply upward force.

If everything is straight there should be no problem fitting the fork stanchions, the usual problem as already mentioned is paint or plastic coating in the bottom triple clamp bore or if the stanchions have been hard chrome plated they may be a few thou oversize which will also make them a tight fit. So a proper engineering solution to spreading the bottom triple clamp is to tap a thread in the unthreaded front section of the clamp and then use a suitable bolt and and thin steel slip in the clamp split to protect the back thread while screwing in the larger bolt which will open up the clamp. I have used this method several times with complete success however you really shouldn't need to do this.
Cheers,
George

Thanks guys,
They are new stanchions from Back to Classics for a 1970 450 Scrambler.

One of the steering angle stops had broken off so I re-tapped those for a custom piece so those should work well to spread the clamps.

I appreciate all the tips!

George, that is a brilliant suggestion !

Graeme

I purchased this puller from a guy in the UK. It made a job that looked like it was going to painful very easy.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/334155743466?hash=item4dcd3c00ea:g:UyUAAOSw-bVhSaV2

Laurie is a stalwart of the UK Ducati Singles scene, he makes some great stuff and sells it at very reasonable prices.

Duccout wrote: he makes some great stuff and sells it at very reasonable prices.

Agreed.