Fork Air Cap Installation Tool

[nashville_bill]

I just changed the oil in my front forks and had trouble getting the Air Cap Bolts threaded into the forks. I made a tool out of a cheap 24mm X 1/2" deep well socket to fit over the air valve and allow me to use an extension and handle to screw the Air Cap Bolts in.

I cut out one side of the socket with a saw:


So that it fits over the Air Cap Bolt:


Installation using tool:

[Mike Hart]

Instant tech tip! Nice, Bill, I can see how that makes it easier, and with that tool you can easily give a little CCW action before the CW turn to make sure your threads are lined up right.

[skids]

OUTSTANDING!

[NOMAD]

I JUST CHANGED THE OIL IN MY FORKS AND NEVER HAD TO TAKE THE CAPS OFF. I JUST PULLED THE DRAIN PLUG OUT AND LET THEM DRAIN OVER NIGHT, THEN PUMPED THE FRONT END UP AND DOWN SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE SURE I HAD ALL THE OLD OIL OUT. THEN I REMOVED THE VALVE CORES OUT OF THE AIR VALVES AND HOOKED UP MY MIGHTY-VAC. I THEN MEASURED OUT THE EXACT AMOUNT OF FRESH FORK OIL INTO A CUP AND STUCK A HOSE WITH AN ADAPTER INTO THE DRAIN HOLE WITH THE OTHER END IN THE CUP WITH THE OIL. THEN HAD A FRIEND PUMP THE MIGHTY-VAC AND SUCKED THE OIL RIGHT BACK INTO THE FORK THROUGH THE DRAIN HOLE. AFTER ALL THE OIL IS IN KEEP PUMPING UNTIL YOU HAVE THE DRAIN PLUG REPLACED AND NO DRIPS, NO RUNS AND NO ERRORS. THE WHOLE JOB ONLY TAKES ABOUT FIVE MINUTES ONCE YOU GET THE OLD OIL OUT. A FRIEND OF MINE THAT OWNS A YAMAHA DEALERSHIP SHOWED ME THIS AND IT WORKS GREAT.

NOMAD