Front Fork Caps Really Stuck! Help!

[Don R]

Whack it with a dead blow hammer?

[Carson.0]

Like the one guy said if you have an air impact the jolt usually works well, just try short bursts. You usually need one for the bottom bolts anyways if your totally disassembling them. Also at last resort a punch on an angle around the edge will usually knock it loose.

[WingMan71]

I FINALLY GOT THEM OUT ! ! !

I let them sit all night with a bunch of PB Blaster soaking them and then warmed them up a bit with a heat gun this afternoon.

I put my "persuader" (16" ratchet handle) on the 8mm allen socket and pulled pretty hard. They let loose with a crack! (Also hurt my back in the process when I almost fell off of the side support on my lift table when they gave way!)

But... they're off! Thanks everyone for the suggestions.

Now...

WHAT WEIGHT FORK OIL TO USE ON THIS GL1000? 10W OR 15W?

What do most of you run?

***

[robin1731]

snip.................
WHAT WEIGHT FORK OIL TO USE ON THIS GL1000? 10W OR 15W?

Book calls for ATF. That is about 7w.

.

[WingMan71]

snip.................
WHAT WEIGHT FORK OIL TO USE ON THIS GL1000? 10W OR 15W?

Book calls for ATF. That is about 7w.
.

Yes. I saw that. Made me wonder when Honda changed the spec from ATF to fork oil. So, I checked.

The FSM for my '87 GL1200A says ATF for it as well. '87 was the last year of the GL1200. The FSM I have for a GL1500 says "Pro Honda Suspension Fluid SS-8". So, Honda finally changed the spec starting with the GL1500.

I went with Bel-Ray 10W fork oil.

***

[robin1731]

No offense but that change is for the 1500, and probably newer/heavier bikes. There was never any service bulletin that I know of that changed the spec for the 1000 to 1200. Most here have used the ATF for average riding and been happy.

.

[Oldewing]

I use ATF with a splash of power steering conditioner for seal life and cause it makes me feel good

[WingMan71]

No offense but that change is for the 1500, and probably newer/heavier bikes. There was never any service bulletin that I know of that changed the spec for the 1000 to 1200. Most here have used the ATF for average riding and been happy.
.

That's exactly what I said. We are in complete agreement.

ATF spec'd from GL1000 through GL12000. SS8 Honda fork oil spec'd starting with the GL1500.

Perhaps you misread my previous post?

***

[robin1731]

[Sugs]

I'm going with 7wt when I put my forks back together. I tried 10wt and found it to be a little too firm, maybe because I'm only 195lbs?

[mmrabit]

Just changed the fork oil in my 78, the caps came off pretty easy but I did warm them up a little.
One thing I learned during this process, do not take both caps at the same time unless motorcycle is supported...
The manual details this, but of course I didn't read it too carefully before starting the job, luckily nothing was damaged when the bike dove forward while on the center stand! Did nearly cause a panic attack for me.....
One thing I noticed, about 8 ounces of oil came out of the forks, I put ounces back in which is what the manual recommends, seemed odd to me.
Mike
Bakersfield, Ca.
78 Wing

[Goboy]

I use freeze spray to remove bubblegum at work, it probably would freeze the cap.

51+DUoxesiL._SX425_.jpg (34.96 KiB) Viewed 111 times

[BikeMaine]

Just changed the fork oil in my 78, the caps came off pretty easy but I did warm them up a little.
One thing I learned during this process, do not take both caps at the same time unless motorcycle is supported...
The manual details this, but of course I didn't read it too carefully before starting the job, luckily nothing was damaged when the bike dove forward while on the center stand! Did nearly cause a panic attack for me.....
One thing I noticed, about 8 ounces of oil came out of the forks, I put ounces back in which is what the manual recommends, seemed odd to me.
Mike
Bakersfield, Ca.
78 Wing

How many ounces did you put back in??