Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all,

Trying to get this front end off and failing spectacularly.
I have undone the main nut, the fork top bolts, the 3 bolts underneath and removed them, the handlebars are removed.
I can see the top of the steering pin through the binnacle but cant see anything else that is holding the binnacle or the forks on.
The top part of the forks with the headlight ears are flopping around and are only held in by the binnacle being fixed not moving and the bottom of the forks being fixed and not moving.
The stanchions do seem drop further down by about 2" than before I removed the fork top bolts.

Do I need to remove the fork rods to remove the front end?

Anyone got any idea what I have missed?

Hi, have you removed the fork top bolts, 35684? The stanchions are held by clip bolt 35686 and also the fork stem is held by a clamp bolt. Bear in mind the binnacle is made of alloy and may have corroded with the steel legs. Vince

Yes I have removed those 3 bolts.

So is the solution heat and patience?

Hi, heat will do, although if as you said the stanchions have dropped 2" then that only leaves the steering stem holding it together. Are the head bearings loose as that will indicate the stem is moving. I usually give it a good wack with a rubber hammer and a wooden dowel to shift the stem. Plenty of wd40 and heat. Vince

Tried a brass drift and hammer, no joy yet

Steering pin free and one fork is out the other is being stubborn.