Question on loop/tonti fork cap threads

[ratguzzi]

Are they the same? I plan to change fork springs tomorrow on my loop frame and I can't find my little tool I made to thread into the fork tubes so I can pull them back up into the tree. I recently gave away a ton of parts including spare fork caps but do have one fork cap from an early tonti. Just not sure if they are the same threads.
Anyone??
Thanks!!!
JB

[Cal3Me]

I only have a loop nut handy and it measures 28.9 x 1.0 threads best I can do JB

[ratguzzi]

I only have a loop nut handy and it measures 28.9 x 1.0 threads best I can do JB

Thanks!!
JB

[JoeW]

John, come by the shop and I'll lend you the tool.

[mtiberio]

AFAIK, the only 35mm fork bike that had different fork top cap threads was the lemans 1. this is because it has thinner fork tubes. I could be wrong on both accounts...

[ratguzzi]

For the record, the early Tonti fork caps have the same thread as the loop fork tubes. Yes, the loops are tapered but the internal threads are the same. I simply took one from a T-3 fork leg, ground down the radius where the wrench fits, added 8mm all thread and my "tool" work and I now have new fork springs in my loop pile.
JB

[charlie b]

So, how does this tool work?

[ratguzzi]

So, how does this tool work?

The loop frame forks have external fork springs. They are between the fork leg and the triple tree, not in the fork tube. Then the loops have the covers over the triple tree so you can't grab the fork tube to push it up into the triple tree. Because of no internal spring, the fork tube drops to the bottom so to get the tube to the top of the tree, you would have to fully compress the front forks and I doubt they would still make it.
Soooooooooooooooo, you take the tool or a fork cap that is turned down so the threads are the maximum od. Attach some all thread about 2 ft long. Lock it to the tool/modified fork cap. Stick it through the triple tree and with the fork tube below the triple tree, thread the tool/cap into the fork tube. Since it is machined down, you can easily pull it up through the triple tree. But not enough to compress the fork spring. So I put a big socket on the top of the triple tree over the all thread, add a washer and a nut and screw down until the fork tube is pulled up to the top of the triple tree. Then tighten the lower triple tree clamps so the tubes don't pull back out, then remove the tool/cap and now you can install the normal fork cap. When a little snug, I loosen the lower triple tree clamps and then full tighten the fork caps then tighten the lower triple tree clamps.

JB

[charlie b]

Thanks JB.  I thought I was missing some tool that I needed :)

It would be nice to have a tool to pull the fork tubes in the triple trees.  Mine are really tight.  I've thought ot using a threaded rod and a couple of blocks.