QuestionHello, I have a 1970 honda scrambler. the front fork boots were shot so i found some new ones. what is involved in changing them? Is is a DIY project or should i bring it in? I would be concerned about taking it apart and oil being in there that i would have to replace.
Thanks, Jim.
AnswerJim, the only 1970 Scramblers around that size were 175s. If your bike is a 1974 CL200, then be sure to state that when ordering parts for your machine.
No major tricks or worries for this type of repair. You will need to jack up the bike somewhere under the engine, while on the centerstand, so you can remove the front wheel, fender, etc. safely. Use a small floor jack and a bit of wood, as necessary. You just need to get the bike back onto the rear wheel to make a three point landing.
The boots are just dust covers and no oil should be present. If your fork seals are leaking, then you have a different situation. The forks must be removed, disassembled, cleaned and then seals replaced... probably better to send them to the shop for that repair.
For boot replacement, however, just disconnect the speedo cable, pull the axle and remove the wheel. Then remove the front fender bolts and the fender. Disconnect the boot from both ends. Note the position of the fork assembly in relation to the upper fork bridge. Usually the top edge of the fork tube is adjacent to the edge of the hole in the fork bridge. There are no "stops" here, so the fork can install anywhere. If the forks are not the same installed height, then the fender bolts won't line up and the forks can bind due to the "twist" in the misalignment of the fender installation.
Loosen the pinch bolts on the top and lower triple clamps (steering stem and fork bridge) and slide the fork assembly out the bottom. Slide on a new boot over the fork assembly and reinstall the fork into the clamps, making sure that the fork assembly is back to the same location as it was before you removed it. Repeat for the other side and then loosely install the front fender bolts, checking to see that you don't have to force the fender around to get the holes to align. If out of alignment, then loosen the pinch bolts and slide the fork assemblies up and down until everything is lined up.
To be sure that the forks are evenly installed, as a final check, install just the axle in the forks. Check to see that it installs correctly between the two fork bottoms without having to force the axle through the holes. When the forks are at the same height, you should be able to turn the axle with your fingers when it is installed between the forks. Adjust the fork heights until this is the case. Tighten the triple clamp pinch bolts and then tighten the fender bolts. Reinstall the wheel and speedo drive, making sure that the drive unit is seated into the hub. Tighten the axle nut, install cotter pin and speedo cable and you are ready to ride.
Go to:
http://www.powersportspro.com/Partsfish/Login.asp
Sign up and log in for free. Choose HONDA, then motorcycle, then use the CB200 microfiche illstrations. See handlebar/steering stem and the front fork and wheel assembly selections for references.
Bill Silver
