85/86 250R Fork Straightening & Rebuild

[newby200x]

Does anyone on here specialize in fork straightening? I think mine maybe slightly bent. Also, how do you tell the difference between 85 and 86 forks? I know there is a difference but I don't know what it is exactly.

[shortline10]

I straighten them , send me a pm

[Marty]

By looking at them physically you really cant tell difference! Only way to tell for sure is when they are taken apart you can REALLY see DIFFERENCES!

[The_Steve_Man]

The springs are different. 85 uses 2 Springs and 86 uses 1.

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[newby200x]

So I got my hands on a good set of forks, but the seals are shot. This is my first time taking apart a set of forks and I'm having trouble getting the allen head screw out on the bottom of the lower fork. Does anyone have any tips on getting this out? It spins loose, but whatever it attaches to must be spinning as well.

[big specht]

You need a 3' piece of all thread with a if I remember right 5/8 nut on the end. After you remove the cap and springs and dump most of the oil out you put that down thru the tube and the nut on the end of the allthread will hold the lower piece that the Allen screws into from spinning. If I remember tonight I will make sure on nut size for the allthread.

[NeverLift]

Impact gun gets them every time. I've rebuilt hundreds of forks. Just don't assemble them with it.

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[DohcBikes]

^Hundreds huh? That means more than 200 sets of forks, wow! With that kind of experience I'd open a suspension shop if I were you!

It's always a good idea to crack the allens loose and even remove them while they are still under a load while assembled and installed. It's by far the most reliable method. Be sure to have a container below the fork lower to catch the fluid.

[The_Steve_Man]

Thats how I do it. Drain the fluid the best I can and leave it together to take out the Allen bolts. Then take out the clip and use the tube as a slide hammer. Seals come right out.

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[newby200x]

I put the springs back in, but it didn't help. I guess I can try and put a load on it to help. I'll have to try an impact if I can find the right adapters to fit the socket.