spreading triple fork clamps (?)

[Anomaly]

The endless fork rebuild job on my 1981 T3 California was nearing the end, or so I thought. For those of you following along, I had recovered from my mistake assembling the forks (after putting in new Bitubo dampers, Wirth springs, new seals, and the correct parts at the bottom end). I had also, belatedly realized I had a bad fork tube (rust patch where the chrome had worn off). I got a new tube  from Stein-Dinse. That tube fits up in the triple fork (snugly with the clamps fully open). Then, after my debacle with the spring cup not seating correctly, I took a closer look at the other tube and found a minor spot where the chrome was gone. Not wanting to repeat this job any time soon, I ordered another tube. Stein-Dinse was out of stock, but TLM (Teo Lamars) had one. BUT, the tube from TLM won't go up into the triple clamps. I have fully removed the clamp bolts but it just won't go. Is t here a safe way to open up the clamps a bit more? I read about a trick inserting the clamp bolt from the other side and tightening down on a washer inserted in the slot, supposedly spreading the slot, but this seemed counter-intuitive and I didn't really understand it. I really (!) want to finish this job and get the bike back on the road before I miss all of the fall riding season. Ideas?

[Dukedesmo]

Assuming the tube is the correct size and so just marginally tight, I'd have thought you could, gently, hammer in a wedge to the gap until it opens a fraction?

[Anomaly]

Assuming the tube is the correct size and so just marginally tight, I'd have thought you could, gently, hammer in a wedge to the gap until it opens a fraction?

OK, I was nervous about tapping a wedge in and my first try didn't produce a positive result. I figured out the reverse bolt direction technique, but that wasn't really working and I torque on the bolt was getting pretty high so I went back to the wedge approach from a slightly different position for the wedge and SUCCESS! One side now fully back in place. Have to stop to do some tractor work before it rains again, but hopefully finish the other fork later today. Thanks for your reply

[Vagrant]

If you have something like a brake cylinder hone it might help to run it through a few times to relieve minor defects. Then light lube.

[cliffrod]

Edit- glad to see you fixed it.

[theoneandonlymin]

If it was the same diameter as the original tube then a flap wheel may be enough to remove any oxidation and return the clamp to the correct size.

Cheers

[Anomaly]

OK, thanks everyone, it's all back together now but still jacked/blocked up- I need to look up all the torque values for all the various bits involved (e g , axle bolt, brake caliper bolts, triple clamp bolts...), but that will be for tomorrow - time for a cocktail here!.