Springer Problem

[Slider]

Ok. Not sure what to do here. Need some help.

My springer was feeling a bit "different" so I took the spring rods out to check the oilite bushings- left side ok. Right side the freaking bushing dropped down inside the lower springs and I can't get the funker out through the hole in the springer top tree. I know I gotta remove the lower springs but they are compressed. Is there some special coil spring compressor to use? If I just unbolted the front legs from the rocker bothe springs would drop but how to you compress them to get it back together? Ideas on how to safely remove those lower springs? Al?

 

[Little-Boo]

I would buy me a spring compressor or make one. Like you said you can take if off, but how will you get it back on there. I have never worked on a bike with a springer set up before, but I have removed and installed springs on cars. If you don't have the right tools, things can be difficult and even dangerous if one of them springs flys off. Be safe

Carlos

 

[Slider]

Yea. I am going to take two 5" long, 1/8" thick steel plates drill holes in the ends and put them through the center of the coils, attach the plates with some long bolts, crank them down and compress teh springs that way. SHould be stable and hold it compressed so I can replace the spring after I replace the bushing. I'll throw some pics up if it works well.

 

[Staffy]

Yea. I am going to take two 5" long, 1/8" thick steel plates drill holes in the ends and put them through the center of the coils, attach the plates with some long bolts, crank them down and compress teh springs that way. SHould be stable and hold it compressed so I can replace the spring after I replace the bushing. I'll throw some pics up if it works well.

Ther you go - you figured it out. Only suggestion, I would tie down those 5" long plates to the springs themselfs. This was they don't come loose when tightening the bolts.
Good luck - you will be fine.

 

[alhall88]

Hey slider what about your pivot points on the lower rockers? Have you checked those as well. I know you have a quality springer from Jeri's but I'm unsure of there rocker setup. I know on the Harley version they used oilite bronze bushings that had to be replaced pretty often. The american suspension springer I had used needle bearings. Just thinking for other possibilities as well.

 

[Slider]

They are oilites in the rocker too. I called Jeri and we talked about 15 minutes. He's always willing to help. Suggested a way to remove the front spring fork using an 8 inch C clamp to compress the lower springs slightly, then unbolted the spring fork from the rocker and opened up the clamp. The bushing were all ok in the rockers. One oilite bushing in the tree was bad. It's all back together now, new dyna, wire plus. Gonna be a great summer. Thanks Al.

Jeri's wife Carol by the way is not doing very well, going through radiation and chemotherapy.

 

[alhall88]

Sorry to hear this. I have talked to Jeri several times and he is a stand up guy. His springers have been around forever. Hope his wife pulls through.

 

[Gas Man]

Don't know who you guys are talking about but I hear the words of cancer... hope she pulls thru, I have just been thru all of that... thoughts and prayers.