Necessary Tool (spring compression)

[JohnBoy]

I'm preparing myself to take my fork legs off and disassemble them and remove the cartridge to be sent off to be revalved.

In the factory ST2 manual it outlines how to disassemble the forks. They show a Ducati tool that is used to compress the fork springs in order to get to the nut that holds the top assembly on.

Has anyone fabricated something to acomplish this?

Is this totally necessary to do this?

Any help would be appreciated.

[st2lemans]

If you're a manly man (like me), the only tool you need is a 17mm open-end wrench. I vise helps too, but is optional.

First, before removing the legs, loosen the cap at the top of the fork BEFORE loosening the triple clamps. You don't need to remove it now, just loosen it. Also, set compression damping to maximum.

Now, remove the legs.

Loosen the cap, and pull the fork tube down.

Pull the spring down, and insert the 17mm wrench. Hold the rod with the 17mm wrench, and unscrew the cap.

Remove cap, spacer, spring.

Remove cartridge.

See, it's easy.

Tom

[dharhay]

I can send you a drawing of a very simple tool that I use on the forks. It fits a 2003 ST4s and may be applicable to yours, but I am not sure. It can be adapted to suit once you see the drawing and your forks. Send me a PM and I will find the folder it is hiding in.

Dave Harhay