46 chief girder forks

[azscoutrider]

Got a few questions about the forks on the 46 Chief I'm rebuilding. I am getting ready to make a trip to the powdercoating shop and noticed the two spring assemblies can be disassembled. I figured the spring untwists from the mounting hardware and they are ready to go. I tried twisting them off and realized those springs are not coming apart without a heck of a lot of force. And if I do get them apart they are going to take a lot of powdercoat eating force to put them back togeher.

Anybody have any experience and luck with these springs? Black paint is sure a lot easier than powercoating sometimes, you can never have enough black paint. Someones mom probally said that.

Another question, is there a source for Indian tool 47T663 and 31T1126, the pin spanner wrenches to remove the retaining rings for bearings on the brake drums and front axles? I have made some homemade tools in the past but would like something a little more positive.

Lastly, anybody have a sure fire way of producing the .750 square in the front fender of a Chief for the brake cable? I can drill a hole in the right location but was wondering how others got the opening finished.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Cannon

[Chris Haynes]

I doubt that the heat involved in powder coating is good for a spring.

[Micmac]

I don't know what Indian tool 47T663 and 31T1126 are, but this guy took over Michael Breeding, I saw em at Davenport, and they make some Indian tools.
http://www.mikesindianparts.com/

[chiefj48]

Originally Posted by azscoutrider

Got a few questions about the forks on the 46 Chief I'm rebuilding. I am getting ready to make a trip to the powdercoating shop and noticed the two spring assemblies can be disassembled. I figured the spring untwists from the mounting hardware and they are ready to go. I tried twisting them off and realized those springs are not coming apart without a heck of a lot of force. And if I do get them apart they are going to take a lot of powdercoat eating force to put them back togeher.

Anybody have any experience and luck with these springs? Black paint is sure a lot easier than powercoating sometimes, you can never have enough black paint. Someones mom probally said that.

Another question, is there a source for Indian tool 47T663 and 31T1126, the pin spanner wrenches to remove the retaining rings for bearings on the brake drums and front axles? I have made some homemade tools in the past but would like something a little more positive.

Lastly, anybody have a sure fire way of producing the .750 square in the front fender of a Chief for the brake cable? I can drill a hole in the right location but was wondering how others got the opening finished.

Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Cannon

michael breeding is the place to go for tools, although you can find the tools needed from kiwi, or starklite cycle.

i used paint on my '48 springs, and had no problem with them. you might have to clamp the stud of the spring mount, and use a drift to unwine the spring. it's been quite some time since i dissassembled one, so take your time, and i'm sure you will get it apart.

as far as the square in the front fender, i drilled a hole, and then used a file to complete the square. again take your time, and it will work just fine.

good luck with your project, and if you need any other help, just ask.

[azscoutrider]

Thanks guys for the advice.

The springs did come apart with a punch, and they come apart without too much trouble that way, too.

I went down to the mother of all hardware stores here in Phoenix, Mcfadden-Dale on 32nd street. I brought along the brake drum with the bearing retainer I'm trying to remove, the counter guy looked at it for a minute and headed on down to the grinder, buffer section. This place has everything, and the one thing they had was an adjustable pin spanner wrench with .140 diameter pins, and it fits the retainer ring nicely. Bet it fits all the retainers on the 27 Scout, too. This tool is a neat, simple design and costs only thirteen bucks. Its made by United Abrashives-SAIT, is called a spanner wrench and is part number 95008. Check it out if you have an old Indian with those damm pin hole retaining nuts.

Thanks again for the help.

[joe]

I know this post is old, but when it came time for me to put the square hole in the front fender, I borrowed a tool that an electrician uses (for what I dont know), its basically a die that you bolt through the fender and tighten it up and it punces a square hole. It was simple and quick. If Redfred is on this forum I am sure he knows what the punch is really for.

Joe

P.S. For the rear fender speedometer cable hole...well that's another story

[LIFELONG]

there,s a set of drawings you can download on one of the aftermarket replica tin guys sites-i,m sorry i cant remember which one-i will be re doing my front fender as the original fitment was a bit hap-hazzard.as soon as remember i,ll put it up here.
a square file used carefully produces good results.