Allen key for 550 fork?

Hi All

Tried all my keys but they're all too small - can anyone tell me the size I need to release (damper rod?) from teh fork lower? I'm currently going through a dummy strip-down of an old pitted fork for practice. Also, like my others the top cap is rust welded into the chrome stanchion. I 've manged to belt it with a decent (4lb) hammer and drift to reveal the (disintegrating) wire clip but no clue on how I'm going to get that bit out yet !

Cheers

 

Do you have a Seca or Maxim? My mother has the Maxim and I own the Seca.

Also, can you send a picture of what you are trying to remove? I just want to be sure I give you the right bolt size.

Notice: I have never worked on forks before, but I will try and measure it for you if you can tell or show me what you are trying to do in more detail.

 

It's a seca - the bolt at the bottom of the fork leg. I think it's 8mm, but of course Clymer doesn't tell you..

 

you need to treat the frozen cap with penetrating oil every day until you can pull the clip . when I first read of this problem, i started treating my caps on my weekly maintaince day just to get ready for when i need to dissemble the forks.
using a mixture of 1 part acetone and 1 part ATF or Kroil brand penetrating oil come highly recomended

 

Some parts may look like they will never come apart ! I have had good results with the homemade mix of acetone and ATF that XJ550H just suggested. If you go that route, don't forget to store the mix in a glass jar or a metal container with a tight lid, or an plastic container specifically for acetone.

 

"O-oh-oh, acetone,
Why won't you ever,
Leave me alone? "
Be careful with acetone. It is addictive. They won't sell it to me anymore. Anybody got a good alternative? For the bike, not for matti (this time) .

 

I came down to the garage, and oddly enough, I don't see any allen head bolts on my forks at all. I think we have different models. Yours probably has two disc brakes while mine has one. I think yours is the european version, pretty obvious conclusion considering you are in europe, or close to it at least

Yeah I don't think I'll be much help, but I totally second what XJ550H said about loosening the bolts. You might be able to get them out with humble pliers if you de-gunk it for long enough.

 

Thanks - our brand is called PlusGas (?) But I might try home brew if I can get soem Acetone.

I'll get a selection of bigger Allen keys then.

 

on your seca i think it is over the axel, you have to pull the axle and cinch bolt then it is located in the top of the axle hole

on a maxim it is 8 mm

 

thread drift
a100man do they call it a seca on your side of the pond?
are there dual disc maxims over there? I am looking for the right side lower fork to convert to dual disc, I keep getting told there are no euro maxims only secas
seca has the axle under as the photo shows maxims have the axle on the front of the tube.

 

MEK methel ethel keytone strong stuff

 

Ah, I see how that goes. Good to know since I will be inspecting mine in the future

 

Is it available at auto parts store, or chemical supplier? Is there a brand name?

 

hardware stores, where ever they sell paint . if you use spray cans to paint things mek will strip it off as you pour it on to the painted surfaces.

 

We have a few Maxims but as far as I know they are all US imports. All our XJ550s are 'secas' with swirly wheels are dual discs
up front, oil coolers and speedos that read more than 55 mph- although they are not known (or badged) as secas - just XJ550s ( no need to differentiate when you only have one model I guess) - different paint schemes too.

 

thanks for the info