I currently building a special which will use 916 Showa forks. To enable then to fit into the headstock I need to either graft the existing stem into the 916 yokes or fabricate a new one. I understand that the steering stem is screwed and thread-locked into the yoke. If any of the good folk here have experience of separating the stem from the yoke I would very much appreciate such feedback and advice they are able to offer.
I bought an Ohlins bottom yoke from Harris a few years back and got a pair of 'half-moon' clamps with it that let you grip it in the vice without crushing it, works a treat along with heat and a mallet as above. Basically a block with the correct sized hole in it and cut in half. Where are you based? if local you could pop over and borrow if you want.
Mr R - appreciate your advice. Mr Dukedesmo - I'm up near Carlisle so not exactly local but your offer is much appreciated. Where did you get your clamps from?
Got them from Harris, along with the yoke. They are an Ohlins part, I don't recall them being expensive. Here's a pic showing part the number.; If you have access to a machine shop they'd be easy to make, 33mm hole through a block and cut in half...
Like Steve said I did mine by wrapping the stem in a thick rag & gripping it in a vice, stuck a blowtorch on the yoke base for 20 seconds or so & gave it a tap with a lump of 3x2 and it spun off easily. Once the threadlocks destroyed with the heat it's easy
Gentlemen, many thanks for your input. I have some soft jaws for my vice so will try some heat and 'gentle' persuasion first. If that doesn't work I can fire up the mill and fabricate some clamps.
With a blast from a hot air gun, a piece of wood to protect the yoke and some gentle persuasion from a mallet and the stem came out without too much bother. Appreciate all of your advice gentlemen.
Nice one, a word of advice - if you're using a 916 yoke and have it off the stem then get a hole drilled in it so you can use a headstock paddock stand. Makes life a lot easier in the future...
Steve - I don't like to use any more persuasion than necessary so the hot air gun was tried first. I tried to concentrate on the area around the yoke. I suspect that it is not only the heat acting on the Locktite that helps the unscrewing but also the expansion of the aluminium. One area of potential additional sticktion was the small amount of corrosion on the stem where it is in the open section of the yoke. Perhaps a 50/ 50 mix of ATF and acetone would aid dismantling? Mr Dukedesmo - hadn't considered that, thanks. I have posted a supplementary question regarding alternative top yokes.
