'81 Fork Sticking During Assembly

[lcanavan317]

Hi guys,

I'm in the process of rebuilding the forks on an '81 that I recently picked up. The first went together without any trouble, but every time I reassemble the second there's a problem with the fork sticking when compressed.
The fork seal is new, and the fork sticks when compressed whether or not there's oil, the spring, or even the damper bolt installed.
This may or may not be related to the damper bolt getting hung up during assembly .

I've had two damper bolts strip on me while trying to set the torque on them. What is the correct torque? I've seen wide differences between what is on the boards and what is in the Clymer and Haynes manuals.

[grizld1]

The Clymer manual repeats an error in early factory manuals which converted a correct Newtonmeter specification to 42 footpounds--way too much for the 8 mm. fastener! 14 ftlbs. will do ya. Be sure to clean the threads of the bolt and the damper rod with acetone, and apply blue Loctite.

Check the problem tube for straightness.

[lcanavan317]

Thanks for the clarification. The second fork went together with significantly less agony this time, less sticking and no trouble torquing the damper rod bolt to 14ft-lbs.
No idea why they stuck, but hopefully that issue is solved. After a change to a Pamco ignition and a little wiring, should have this on the road this month.