Ambassador Fork Removal Help

[Fontain25]

Hi All, I bought Wirth front springs for my Ambassador and am having a "hard time" removing the right leg to install springs. Left leg was difficult to knock loose at first but finally popped and then came out. Right side has popped loose and gone down about two inches but won't budge now. I've got penetrating oil on it and have followed the directions in This Old Tractor - tried pulling and wiggling , lady slipper through axle hole and hit it hard with an air hammer , hammering down from the top with appropriate size driver. Did order special tool for reassembly and it was very helpful with left fork but doesn't help disassembly on right. Have driven a specially reground chisel into knotch on bottom triple tree to spread fork holder, used a large hammer for this. Since it has gone down about two inches i'd have to say it's hung up by rust on the bottom triple tree , but it's all covered with shroud below the top fork holder so no access. I've owned the bike for six years and have changed fork oil but I don't think these forks have ever been apart. Surely I'm not the only one to have this issue , if any of you have got a helpful tip please inform me. Thank you.

[Tom H]

Looks like you have tried many things that should have worked.

You might try pushing the leg back up, WD 40 or the like, tap it back down, repeat. To get it back up, you will likely have to compress the spring first so you can use the lower to hit the tube. Maybe a bar through the axle hole and some tie down straps Try a bar though the axle hole and a big hammer, don't' beat the heck out of it, mainly use the weight with each hit to pull it down.

Good luck,
Tom

[guzzisteve]

I have a tool I made in 80's to service my Ambo then.  I have a cap with a long crank that has a slide hammer spacer on it w/nuts.
I got idea strait out of the 1st MGNOC Tips book. I have used it on my V700's also, works great.

[Fontain25]

Thanks All for your suggestions . Let the penetrating oil soak for awhile and then really slammed it from the top with appropriate sized driver and large hammer. Boogered only a little bit , can fix with a file.

[pehayes]

IIRC the triple clamp has a tensioning slice through it with a pinch bolt.  IIRC one side of that slice is threaded for the bolt to pinch the slice.  How about you put the pinch bolt in backwards.  Wedge some steel plate into the tensioning slice.  Tighten the bolt against the plate to pry open the slice just a tiny bit more.  You likely only need a thousandth or two of opening.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

IIRC the triple clamp has a tensioning slice through it with a pinch bolt.  IIRC one side of that slice is threaded for the bolt to pinch the slice.  How about you put the pinch bolt in backwards.  Wedge some steel plate into the tensioning slice.  Tighten the bolt against the plate to pry open the slice just a tiny bit more.  You likely only need a thousandth or two of opening.

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

That may work on a Tonti Guzzi, but the pinch bolt hole on Loops has no threads - straight through bore, nut on the bolt.

[Scout63]

Try a strap wrench on the fork tube to turn it in the trees.

[Scout63]

I forgot - slip a piece of inner tube under the strap wrench to get some bite. Good luck.

https://www.amazon.com/DURATECH-Wrench-Handle-Adjustable-Filter/dp/B09CYGMJZY/ref=pd_lpo_sccl_1/136-9380163-5177716?pd_rd_w=AH7PD&content-id=amzn1.sym.116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_p=116f529c-aa4d-4763-b2b6-4d614ec7dc00&pf_rd_r=X93D518CQBG1BEWF90TV&pd_rd_wg=JgNRE&pd_rd_r=f0229eab-9e72-4fd7-8c4d-c4e4caa3dc1f&pd_rd_i=B09CYGMJZY&psc=1

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Try a strap wrench on the fork tube to turn it in the trees.

A shroud covers the fork tubes and there's an external spring as well, so a strap wrench isn't going to work.

[Fontain25]

A shroud covers the fork tubes and there's an external spring as well, so a strap wrench isn't going to work.

Yes that's the issue. Not what I would call a "slick job". Anyway I did get them apart with what I considered excessive force. Used a file and die grinder to fix boogers. Reassembly was easy with special tool. Bike went back together with no problems. The Wirth Springs really brought the front up. Have test ridden bike and the improvement is great. Loops are great bikes.

[guzzisteve]

My special tool been hanging around since early 80's

[John A]

Loops can all benefit from better front springs. I tried several combinations years ago when there was nothing application specific around yet. A problem with that was if I erred on the length being long, it would top out with an annoying clunk as it hit the rebound stop.

[Fontain25]

My special tool been hanging around since early 80's

 Yes , it looks like a good tool for this job - Wish I would have had it. Might need it again in 50 years.

[guzzisteve]

Where in IL? I had a Guzzi shop in Kingston, north of DeKalb. I also used to make spacers that go under the spring cup.

[Fontain25]

I,m southern Illinois. Centralia - near Mt Vernon. Thanks everyone for the help.

[guzzisteve]

Nice area, lots of corn. Ride Safe.

[tetarabra]

Sharp brass flange splitter worked for me several times. Good luck.

[Scout63]

A shroud covers the fork tubes and there's an external spring as well, so a strap wrench isn't going to work.

Ummm... I’m an idiot.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Ummm... I’m an idiot.

No, just unfamiliar with Loopframe Guzzis. In many ways they are completely different than later Guzzis.