Forks

I was going to start on my forks today but I don't have a big enough hex bit. Can anyone tell me how big the hex nut under the top capon the fork is on a 1985 XJ700 maxim?

Or could I measure it? Anyway to tell how big it is?
Thanks again

 

I'm not sure but I think it might be a 22mm or maybe a 17mm

 

try turning a spark plug socket upside down and put an extention in it as you would a spark plug I have seen this suggestion before.
there is a thread in the diy forum for xj 700 forks and poster has a double sided hex ask him where to buy it.
you could measure it with a set of calipers or use the head of a bolt or nut that fits in a socket that size

first pic shows a 17 mm socket for cap take a look

Fork Seals, 85 XJ700N, picture heavy

 

Ok thanks XJ55H I was looking at that too. Just wanted to be sure. Now see if I can find one LOL.

 

ask the poster of the thread where he got his click on his avatar and then start a conversation with him

 

I just found a 3 pc set that includes the 17 at autozone. Now hopefully the hex nuts come out easy.

I see I entered you nick wrong XJ550H, forgot the 0, sorry about that.

 

Kroil is a penetrating fluid, good product a bit expensive but worth the.

 

17mm is correct.

http://www.xjbikes.com/forums/threads/fork-seals-85-xj700n-picture-heavy.78389/

 

thanks tabaka45 picked one up tonight at autozone.
I had a question about picture 22 with the extensions and the inverted socket. When it is slid into the fork what does it contact the socket would hold. guess i don't understand the inverted socket thing.

 

The inverted spark plug socket is supposed to have a 17mm hex top. I didn't use the spark plug socket because mine has a rubber insert to hold the spark plug when inserting or removing a spark plug and I would have had to remove it in order to insert the extension. Apparently the extension can be inserted from the bottom (or through) of the spark plug socket and the hex top can then be used just like a 17mm hex socket. In any case, the hex fits in the top of the "cylinder comp" shown in # 28. It holds it so that the bolt in # 27 can be removed.

 

well my sparkplug sockets won't work. If I invert them the hole going through the socket is round then it turns to square where the extension would fit. Got 3 of them and they are all the same. Guess I'm going to have to locate a 22mm hex drive.

 

haynes manual shows a bolt through a socket with a nut as a home made tool
you could use a bolt with 22 mm head and put 2 nuts with a lock washer or spot weld to keep nut s from undoing or pin it on there

ask tabaka 45 where he got his 3 size tool shown in photo

 

great idea XJ550H

 

Ok I found a bolt and 2, 22mm nutz and threaded them on the bolt, tightened them against each other and stuck it in a deep socket and it worked like a charm. got both out. Now to clean them up and the new seals ought to be here in a day or two.

When I put the fork oil back in them how do I know I added enough?

 

It takes 12.95 oz of fork oil in each fork. I added the correct amount to one fork and used a small wooden dowel to measure the distance from the top to the oil and then added about 12 oz of oil to the other fork and then added oil until the levels matched.

 

Well I'm almost ready to put the forks back togather. Very frustrating, I lost one of those washers on the cap bolt.

 

Got my forks put togather today. I didn't polish them to mirror finish I like just the clean and bright aluminum look, plus it's easier LOL.
And I took a pic of what I was tring to hold with the long extensions and hex headed bolt. I couldn't find a pic of what it was fitting into till I had it out.
I want to thank tabaka45 for the pictures of the how to made it easy. Next change the front wheel bearings while it's off. Then on to the petcock I think, maybe the carbs.

 

Run into something wierd. I was putting the Pilot Fuel Jets back in the carb taking my time. I have one of those magnifying glass with the light around it (old eyes) and one of them has a slightly bigger hole in it? I have the tip cleaners and sure enough i can get a bigger one down it with no problem and it doesn't fit the other 3. I do have the right jets checked and triple check. It has never been opened before, I am the orginal owner. I can make out the 107 on both jets.

 

What diameter wire is it that fits the one, but not the others?

 

Not sure you can see the difference. I am original owner and it was apart 10 years ago only one carb and nothing was done

 

any idea of what I should do?

 

well I just kept working the larger wire into the jet and twisting it. think the 3 smaller holes had some stuff in the holes. all seem same now. go figure.

 

That's what I was thinking might be the case. Glad to hear that you solved the problem.
Does your jet cleaning set not have markings for the wire diameters?

 

no marks it's a forney tip cleaner. dang thing flew apart first time i used it. still haven't found some of it. it does have sizes on the back of the case but no idea which are which. 6-26 looks like around a 10.

 

well got the front wheel bearing in and most of the carb back togather, need a small bit to clean out the bowl that has a tiny hole in it. Still got to get the dang gas cap open