Hitchcocks Forum

Hi guys----I'm currently changing the Bullet's fork springs to Mr.H's progressive ones. Alas, when I sold the previous 65 model I'd forgotten that I sold the tooling as well---------DUMBO !!!!!!!!-------- can anyone lend me the valve port spanner ( No.----ST25105 ??? ) I don't want to spend £15+VaT+postage just for the one job. Sorry mine host but that's the truth. I'll gladly cover any postage costs--------------- HELP !! ----------- PS. And no, c-spanner OR the chisel (gently done ) didn't work.  Thanks guys.

PANIC OVER !!!!!! You can all rest easy in your beds tonight cos I've dunnit !! A little bit of enginuity and a club hammer saved the day.  Another Bullet hits the Queens Highway -------------------------------- just when the petrol has run out. !!!!!

Hi Alan, I've also got the 'H' new fork springs to fit in my Electra but haven't got round to it partly because I wasn't sure weather I'd HAVE to have that same tool.


Would you like to enlighten me as to how you did the whole job?


New springs got it handling better? 

Hi Jimmer--------- Yes, no probs. but first }--- on this site go to Technical Notes and print-off the very clear instructions that our hosts have provided. Now-- how much mechanical background do you have ?? If none or very little then I would seriously advise you to invest in the valve port tool at least. You might find a C-spnner to fit --but i didn't. If you do get this tool then the job is done with the stanchions in situ. as per the tech. notes. If not then next----I have to assume the Electra fork legs are the same as the Classic Bullet ??? In which case you can either buy/borrow  the big 13mm hex t-bar to remove the stanchions from the casquette or (As I did) use a 1/2" drive 13mm short hex socket to start things off followed up with a standard 13mm Allen key to continue. Remove the stanchion---grasp firmly in an Engineers bench vice----preferably a 6" or bigger----using the soft jaws (mine are Lead or Aluminium angle off-cuts). Now ths is going to make the seasoned engineers amongst us WINCE !!However, needs must, I'm afraid.  Using either a monkey wrench OR a club hammer & chisel we need to slacken-off the castelated port nut. Continue as per instructions. When re-building make sure that nut is really tight then with a file, trim-up all the mess untill the nut castellations are smooth and clear of any filings, swarf etc. It's really a good idea to have access to compressed air.  Remember---forks are an Hydraulic unit and ABSOLUTE CLEANLINESS is ESSENTIAL !!  When out at car boot sales I t buy old cotton bed-sheets ---make great cloths in the workshop. there now---that's probally got a fewof the old sweats crying in their beer but it got the job done with the tools I had to hand. Best of luck. I'm on holiday in  South America untill the turn of the century.

Actually you can get that nut off with the stanchion in situ.


A brass drift worked for me with no damage to the nut. Just tap one side then the other firmly and it should move.


Yes, the softer springs help but the real difference is gained by using thinner oil. I used ATF which is about sae7 I think.

You don't need to use dedicated fork oil on these.

Hi PeteF --------yes, normally you probally can. My previous  Bullet 65 was done with the stanchions in situ but I had the tool which was a great help. This recent job on my 500 Classic was slightly different. If you look at my first posting you'll see I did actually try  to "encourage" it by the usual alternative means but when I had the stanchion in the vice it became apparent that these nuts were B-Fing tight !! Honestly--it was more than just a tap. Not knowing Jimmers abilities I thought it best to opt for the safer bet of security in the vice. I also use the ATF oil----I think it was Dextron 2, same in the primary chaincase.

Thanks for that Alan I'll have a read up on it in technical notes and see what's what.


I've striped the forks down on my VFR750 several times so I'm fare engikologically minded then again I've been learning a new set of skills with the Enfield beside learning to deal with the break down paranoia and people telling me to sell it.


They can't understand. 

Hi Jimmer ------------- Well done old son---what do they know anyway ???  Yes, it is easier to leave the stanchions in situ----just get someone to brace the end when you put that "Engineers 2lb persuader" to good use. To freely mis-quote from Star Trek }------ "They are forks Jim, but not as we know them".  Next time you're out on the Bullet just hum  the theme tune, that you're boldly going where no bike has been before, and just how that "SWISH------" sound is SO UNNAPROPIATE !!!   "We come in peace-----shoot to kill"  Up the Federation !!!!!