Subject: shadetree loop fork tool (long)
Author: Ron Komoroski
Date: Feb 24, 2005, 8:50 AM
Post ID: 1718448378
Loopers,
Fork assembly tool for the non machine shop/welder shadetree owner.
parts:
36" length of 1/4-20 allthread rod
3-7 1/4-20 nuts (depending on the version you are making)
2 fender washers, 1'' OD & center hole for 1/4" rod
1 1" one hole rubber stopper, (remember high school chem. lab?), or any
chunk of fairly stiff rubber that can be carved into a cylinder w/a 1" OD at
least 1" tall w/ a centered 1/4" hole through the length of the cylinder. (I
have used a stack of rubber washers, & even a piece of very thick wall
rubber hose for this)
piece of metal for a handle (optional)
assembly
| From one end of the rod screw on one nut, followed by a fender washer, then |
the end of the rod ( tighten them against each other so they won't come
loose) .
At the other end of the rod, either bend about 6" over to make to make a
handle, or. drill a hole in the center of your scrap metal handle, screw on
two nuts, slip on your handle then 2 more nuts. Lock the first pair of nuts,
turn the top pair down tight against your handle then lock the top two.
use
Put the rubber end of your tool down through the triple trees & into the top
of the fork tube until the top fender washer is just below the top of the
tube (allow your self room to get an open end wrench on that top nut
freely). Hold the handle to keep the rod from turning & tighten down the top
nut. As the rubber is compressed between the two washers, it will be pushed
out and lock into the threads in the top of the fork tubes. Then, pull the
fork tube up into the triple trees w/the tool. You'll have to trial & error
as to how tightly the top nut has to be cranked down to get the hold you
need. If it starts to slip as you are pulling, just crank the nut a little
tighter. When the fork tube is far enough up into the top triple tree that
you can get a wrench on the top nut, it's up far enough to screw in the top
plug & pull it up the last 1/2" or so into the taper as you tighten the
plug.. Hold the handle & back off the nut, the rubber will relax & the tool
slip right out. Be sure you are supporting the bottom of the fork tube, or
have snugged the bolt on the bottom triple tree before you loosen the nut,
you don't want the tube to drop back down!!
I came up w/this tool when I had to get into my first Ambo's forks, about
1978, & have thrown one together whenever I've needed one ever since. I've
even dispensed w/the handle altogether & just clamped the top of the rod
w/vice grips (REALLY shandtree!) Until Dec/02, I worked in an R&D lab & had
access to rubber stoppers, but they can be had (along w/ more neat "stuff"
than you can shake a stick at) from "American Science & Surplus"
www.sciplus.com
Happy forking!
Ron Komoroski