TOPIC:

looks like I could get away with using a ten inch framing spike ( big fucking nail) and weld that onto a piece of round metal. seems the same shape as those pictures. Thanks all for the help, that's why places like this exist I guess.

Jeff.Saunders wrote:

RonKZ650 wrote:

Of course if you have an impact driver you don't need a holder tool..

Most times this is true... but not always. I've had a couple that the air impact didn't undo - just spun them around.

RonKZ650 wrote:

One last bit of advice, they didn't use loctite of any kind on the bolts and by all means follow suit and don't add any.

Ron, on my Z1's I will ALWAYS use loctite. I can't speak for all models, but you don't ever want those bolts to come loose.

I'll admit I've had a couple the impact tools wouldn't budge too, but for most cases the impact tool will do the trick.
I suppose loctite wouldn't hurt anything, but an already tough to disassemble setup will be greatly amplified with loctite. There's really no need for loctite because the bolt is under constant spring pressure from the fork spring so chances of it ever working loose is zero. Well nearly zero anyways.

I used Loctite when I installed mine because the book called for it. I figured if I was able to remove the original bolts that were loctited in I can remove the ones I installed. I used the Blue Loctite sparingly. Ed

yea personally I use blue loctite for stuff like this. a bolt is replaceable.

RonKZ650 wrote:

Of course if you have an impact driver you don't need a holder tool.

My first fork I tried it that way and it backed about 1/3 of the way out and proceeded to spin the damper rod inside. A company mechanic was helping me and he was resourceful enough to put together a string of socket extensions which he jammed into the top of the damper rod and it held it enough to get the bolt out. Then I discovered the SR have the 12 point damper rod and made my own bolt jig to hold it.

The early Z1's have a frail hollow top casting to the internal damper assembly. The factory tool can break this top off. That's when I started to use a wood broomstick to put pressure on the damper to stop it turning.

As was said before, it's best to try and remove the lower bolt with the forks still assembled and using an air impact set on 100psi

Let me add one thing to this list. Having just pulled the seals out of my KZ1000 project. I battled the first one, then set down and read the manual...apply heat gentlemen..a little heat on the tube and the seal slips right out using that Chinese puller and a plastic putty knife (too protect the edge..

Don't buy the seal puller. Use a straight claw hammer (flatter shaped claw then a curve claw hammer thats usually used on nails) and then like mentioned before put a paint stick, some plastic, or even sheet metal under the fulcrum point of the hammer. Anything to protect the fork. then stick the claws under the lip of the seal and pull it like you would a nail. Always works for me.

Lots of videos on you tube showing how it's done.
Here's one:
[youtube][/youtube]

I sure wouldn't clamp my fork tubes in a vise.

Others had mentioned using a screwdriver or this or that.... I went ahead & bought an off-the-shelf seal puller from the auto parts store (Z1 sells virtually the same tool), and it worked just fine - the pointy hook grabbed the seal very nicely. I did the job on a work bench w the business end near the right edge of the table & a small scrap of wood to protect the lower tube.

I went into the only Bike shop in town today and asked a simple question about a seal puller, generally its a yes or no answer but this guy pressed me on what it was for and what bike I was working on. Long story short his poor customer service skills, general lack on knowledge on why I wanted a seal puller and making me feel like I was a jack ass for coming into the store, Suffice to say he will not get my business ever. He had said that you just take them out with a screw driver.... only shop in town and thats the type of crap I have to deal with, oh as well he said that If I never done it before I should bring it in and let him do it... HOW THE HELL IS A PERSON SUPPOSED TO LEARN ? if not by doing something for the first time.

awww man, chalk this up as a vent but man does that chap my ass. Because of all your help I know I will get this job done.