airblazer
Active Member
So where do you work? 😂
Just purchased 1970 CT70
- Thread starter Aiden
- Start date
Happily retired now...
I pulled the front forks and they were absolutely covered in grease. Is this normal? Previous owner packed it like bearings. I also want to remove the reflectors on the side and replace the brittle rubber backing, but I thought they just unscrewed. I applied significant pressure and neither side is budging. Am I missing something?
JHminitrails
Well-Known Member
Yes, the grease is normal. The K0 pogo stick frontends just use grease for lubricant within the fork tubes. The rubber sleeve over the springs is for noise, helps keep the metal on metal contact to a minimum. Wipe and wash the grease off and inspect the fork slider bushings and pistons. Replace worn parts as necessary and reassemble with fresh grease. At minimum I'd recommend new seals in the aluminum fork collars to make sure the grease stays in and water/dirt stays out.
As for the reflectors, if the studs are seized, then you may have to break the plastic and metal backing plate off and you'll be left with access to the square/rectangle head of the stud. Hopefully you can work it loose with a wrench or vise grips.
Old Guy Too Many Bikes
Well-Known Member
Where are you in OC? My old fart friends and I ride our little Hondas out to Brea/Fullerton/Anaheim/Diamond Bar from time to time. My advice to you is, screw how it looks, get it running to the point you are mechanically happy with it, and then decide where you want to go in terms of restoration. I hope you got clean title so you can get it registered and insured without any difficulty. Then we'll talk.
Old Guy, I'm in Huntington Beach. Yes, the bike is currently registered, and I have the pink! That was a crucial point I was looking for when shopping.
Old Guy Too Many Bikes
Well-Known Member
Good for you. I have some other old fart buddies in the HB area. (we're train guys in Costa mesa at Fairview park) We meet for lunch most Mondays, and I putt out there. Have you ever been to Harry's at Bolsa and Springdale?
I could throw a rock and hit it from my house!
Old Guy Too Many Bikes
Well-Known Member
Let me know when you get that thing running, and I'll putt out there on my CT70. I hope you're not a retired engineer?
Old Guy Too Many Bikes
Well-Known Member
You might just fit in. We'll have to get together some time.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
Break the bond between the reflector, and the rubber base. The base has to be still while the reflector spins...out. THAT is typically the problem, IMO.
I usually use a razor knife blade carefully... Get the blade in BETWEEN...go all around...then hold the base, and loosen the reflector.
A option...small screwdriver, poked in...in multiple spots...to break the 50 year bond.
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Thanks Kirby. I used a strap wrench and they broke loose pretty easily. I didn't realize they were glued by the factory. I got them cleaned up and now just waiting on the new bases.
kirrbby
Well-Known Member
They aren't actually glued with glue...they are just stuck...by time. When they were first tightened on there...the bases were brand new soft sticky rubber. Add 50 years...they're just stuck.