Yesterday afternoon I wanted to change my front tyre on the XL700 Transalp, so tools out etc, but for the life of me I could not budge the front spindle at all. I could get half a turn at most then it would seize solid. I came to the conclusion that either thread in the fork leg was knackered or a bearing was seized onto the spindle stopping it from being unscrewed. I almost resorted to cutting the spindle and side collar in situ but held off until today. Today I removed the brake calipers, offside half brakcet mudguard etc and dropped the nearside fork leg out along with the wheel attached to it. Fitted the bolt end of the spindle into the bench vice and used the leverage from the fork leg to gradually ease off the spindle back and forth. Finally came off but the threads in the fork leg were in pretty bad shape and some even came out attached to the spindle. Cleaned up and salvaged both parts (which is £300 worth!). Whilst I was at it I decided to drop the other fork leg out and replace the fork oil to save myself double work.
Then onto the hard part of changing the front tyre..... those Michelin Anakees are bl00dy stiff!! Still need to buy fork oil so bike is still off the road until I can get some but easy enough to install new oil.
Fork leg out to take wheel off.
Bike minus half the front suspension.
Spindle threads with bits of aluminium in them.
Missing threads from fork leg.
Might aswell change the fork oil too! (the blocks under the wheel were an after thought to strapping the bike steady)
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hmy: