Just bought myself my first K100; it had been sitting on someone's drive for the last 14 months in all weather and now needs some tlc, which I am now giving it. It's an RTiC, an ex-Yorkshire (UK) Police bike and, although the mileage is high, looks to have been well cared for......except by the last owner. Starts and runs well and now in process of stripping it right back to find out what it needs to get it through it's road test. Have so far had to replace all normal engine renewables...oil, filters etc., and was slightly concerned to see small metal fragments in the old oil - hopefully won't be anything too serious. Have also needed to change a number of rubber bushes that had perished and the clutch slave rubber cup and clamp. The brakes all round are going to need attention although I think the flexi hoses are ok. However, I have now run into a major hurdle that has taken the last three-and-a-hlaf days of my time; the front forks! I need to change the bootees/gaitors so need to take the forks out but they are well and truely seized to the yokes. The left hand one took me a day-and-a-half to loosen up (by tappping it out from the top on the edge of the stanchion with a hammer and punch.....ouch, did it very gently which is why it took so long). I have spent the last two days trying to get the right stanchion out and it just won't budge - can anyone please, please put me out of my misery and tell me what the trick is to get these things out. I have covered them in penetrating fluid, grease and tried turning them in the yokes to free them but all to no avail. Aaaaahhhhhh. Really happy to be on-board and getting this K back on the road and getting some mileage on her. Fliggy.

Heat works for me. I use the somewhat dangerous and obsolete paraffin blow lamp. Lots of heat where you want it, and quick. Mind you, getting it running properly is a game in its self! John

Hi Fliggy,

Welcome to the the forum and the world of K bikes. It is always helpful to put year, model, VIN etc in you signature block so that other members can provide more focused advice (there are different types of for out there).

This is not a job I have done (yet) but having just returned from a 1300 mile tour of Ireland, I have a small weep on my left fork seal so will be ordering in the spares and getting ready to tackle this job very soon. 

Have you tried the search button - I usually find that it is the best way to get into the wealth of posts on any particular subject. I know there have been a few fork discussions quite recently.

Anyway, enjoy the site and the bike.

Hello
I left the top part of the fork in place and just removed the lower legs.

Hi Fliggy welcome to the funny farm.
Spreading the clamps as Crazy Frog suggests should work.

Thanks to everyone that replied. I did try the screwdriver in slot idea but was a bit apprehensive as it's a cast yoke and knowing my track record I was reluctant to hit too hard. I will try it again but this time with a bit more vigour. I will also update my signature so thanks for that tip as well.

The yokes aren't cast they are forgings.

That must be contagious.

My LT came from the same source and had the same problem when it came to doing the head bearings. Led to a lot of colourful language on the part of a friend who undertook to do the job. He took it all out in one piece, they were all seized up. The thing is if you break anything spares are easy enough to come by.

Thanks all.....still fighting with them but reluctant to put heat in there due to the wiring and seals. I have even tried screaming 'By the Power of Greyskull' whilst twisting the stanchion and even that didn't help! It looks like the big hammer will be coming out to play......

Have you tried taking the top triple clamp upwards. Remove the nut and gear at the top then 12" lump of hardwood and place one end under the clamp and the other down then strike upwards on the block. Both sides evenly it may come as you are only fighting one at a time.

If you are reluctant to use heat, why not buy a small asbestos mat used for plumbing to prevent items getting burnt when heating with a blowlamp, etc?  They cost very little, and will shield your wiring.