Fork spring caps - XT225

[AliB]

So, I've replaced the fork seals and bushes on my Serow but am now stuck. How the %&£$ do you get the spring caps back into the top of the forks? No matter how hard I try to push the cap down, I can't get it far enough down to put the retaining clip in. If I push too hard, the upper fork starts going down into the lower fork. Is it easier if I put t he forks back in the yokes?

It was all relatively easy up till this point.................................. I'm losing the will to live.

[rodyorkabr]

Ali..you bought an xt225..great!...what type ?
just keep on pushing down- then turn the cap clockwise

[AliB]

It's a 1992 Japanese import. Only 15,000km on the clock. It needs a wee bit of TLC - frame and swinging arm and the tank is a bit tired looking but the plastics are cleaning up OK. Oh yeah, and the fork seals................ lol

The cap isn't threaded and has an air valve on the top. Is it easier to put the forks back on the bike to get some purchase behind pushing the springs down? I'm gonna end up with a hernia at this rate haha

This is the pics when I first saw it.

[mabawza]

Dellboy's idiot proof guide used it when i did my forks

[AliB]

Thank you. I watched that video and he makes it look so easy lol. These caps are threaded though and mine aren't. I have to push them down a fair bit to then get the retaining clip in.

Here are my caps - minus the air valves as I took them off to see if it would relieve some pressure for pushing the caps down.

[AliB]

Spring caps are back on!!! Got an extra pair of hands from the guy across the road and that's all that was needed.