Forks

This post has been delayed more than I hoped and it still won't be as far on as planned. As mentioned in my previous post I've taken the forks apart to look at the shock, pivots and to get a closer look at the links to see if they need to be re-plated. Here's a pic of the linkage I took before I pulled it to pieces so I had a reference for reassembly, it's pretty obvious that the links are definitely going to need re-plating. 

I didn't take any pics whilst I was taking it apart, it was all pretty simple - lock nuts on one end and the axle un-threads from the link on that side through a clearance hole in the other link. This is the lower pivot reassembled but without the fork legs in place. I'm going to need to sort new friction discs as they are really hard and brittle, I'm not sure if they're leather or something else but I'm doing some research to find out. The lower pivot is adjusted underneath the black knob then the black knob adjust the amount of friction to damp the suspension action. The star shaped washer applies spring tension and the little clip holds the black knob in place. The upper pivot is much simpler and is just adjusted using the hex end of the axle then locked off with the locknut on the other end.

The other reason to take the forks to pieces was to have a look at the shock. At first I couldn't see how it was hold together but looking down the end of the small tube on the front (visible in the pics above) I saw spanner flats. Annoyingly there were only two so I couldn't use a socket down the tube to unscrew it. The only way to access it was to squash the whole thing in a press then unscrew that bolt, which also held a negative spring, then the whole shock came apart.In this pic you can see the top of the bolt above the smaller tube, typically for this stupid French bike it's needs an 11mm spanner and the bolt can't be removed because of the grease nipple above. Once I got it out of the press I did have a quick look inside but didn't take any pics.

Whilst it is all apart I will be putting new ball bearings (interestingly still imperial sized balls despite being a metric bike, does ANYONE use metric balls?), re-greasing and adjusting the headset. Once again I didn't take any pics but I'll try to get some when it goes back together.

I also had a quick look at the front hub; the bearings are fine but the brake shoes need relining. I'm guessing the rears won't be as bad but if I'm doing the front I'll sort them all.

And that's where the post is being cut short. I've been busy and then ill so I've not managed to pull the shock fully apart to clean it up and I've hit a slight dead end with the plating for the links. I tried one firm but they wanted £75+ and couldn't guarantee the price until they started the work. I've since found another company specialising in motorbike parts so hopefully that works out better. I'm planning to go with a satin/brushed nickel as I think bright shiny chrome will stand out compared to the rest of the bike. My back up plan is to get new links laser or waterjet cut out of stainless steel and either blast or brush them to get the desired look.

I'm not sure what my next post will cover as I've now started a couple of things without finishing them, first the engine/fuel system and now the forks/shock/headset. I think I will go back and look at the engine and try to work out what I need to order to get that running. I can't remember if I had explained before but the HT lead I ordered doesn't fit (stupid French engine!), I don't know how to set the timing or the carb and I've managed to lose the petrol tap from the tank. The first couple shouldn't be too much of a problem but I think I've right royally ballsed up by miss-placing the petrol tap, I can't see it being that easy to track one down. The broken clutch adjuster has been helicoiled so the cover is ready to go back on when I next work on the bike. If I manage to sort those bits out, it might mean the engine will be running before Christmas, it's just a shame it's going to be in a bike with no forks!

M