Triumphrat

jimmy bush · 02-16-2008

I pulled my lower fork tube off of my 1968 T-120R DU84181 because it was very stiff (no sag at all or with my 138 lbs on it) and it seems to have some wear on the bearings. I took off the bottom tube without removing the fork from the lugs because I don't have a spanner (crescent wrench) that will open big enough to take out the cap nut. According to my parts manual, I'm not supposed to have internal springs or a dampening rod screwed in from the bottom of the lower tube with an allen screw on a '68'. I have the external springs also. The shuttle valve, bearing, plastic damping sleeve, bearing nut and circlip all look to be like what is illusrated in my manual. The restrictor of course is missing. I suspect the previous owner added the internal springs and damper rods to stiffen it up because he weighs over 300 lbs from what I'm told. I was wondering if the shuttle valve would have been modified to allow the internal damping rod to fit or if I can remove the internal springs & damper rods and just install new restrictors to return it to normal or do I need to get new shuttle valves also? I'm going to have to pull it apart again to see if the tubes had the 8 holes around the bottom. (Had to get a front wheel back under it because the 4 year old grand kids climb all over it).

Thanks
Jim

GrandPaulZ · 02-16-2008

You need to pull those forks all the way off and tear them totally down. Then, determine which parts you are missing, which are worn (bushings and seals for sure), check the condition of the stanchions and replace if scuffed (otherwise the seals will leak).

jimmy bush · 02-16-2008

I've got the seals already and was planning on changing the bushings (P/N H441, H443) & the plastic damper sleeve (H1869) (they are cracked, probably from topping out because of the extra springs) but am unsure on what forks I actually have. I'm thinking they are "68" forks that someone removed the restrictor so they could add the internal springs which needed the damper tubes to push against. I dont know if the shuttle valve from the "68" forks would have to be opened up to allow the damper tube from the earlier fork to pass through if that is what was done. Did the earlier forks use the same bushings, damper sleeves and shuttle valve?

GrandPaulZ · 02-16-2008

You could not possibly modify a shuttle valve enough to pass an internal fork spring or damper through it.

Not sure if I'm reading you right.

Pull the forks apart, take good pix, and let's see what you actually have there....

jimmy bush · 02-16-2008

Only the damper tubes are passing through the shuttle valve. They appear to be about 3/8" in diameter. They are attached to the bottom of the lower tubes with an allen screw recessed in the axle clamp area. They must have been installed in the fork from the top. Just the tube itself is passing through the valve and can't be removed without removing the nut & shuttle valve or taking them out the top of the stanchon. I'll try to get some pictures next time I take them apart.