Success and another question

[William K Denton]

Bob,

I can loan you my special tool, if it will help.  Give me an address to ship 
to.

Bill Denton
Yardley, PA
wkdenton at verizon.net
Lazarus Cycleworks, LLC
We make "Left for Dead" roadworthy again!
Specializing in reanimating bikes from 1970 through 1999

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bob Nelson" <majordad at carolina.rr.com>
To: "gpz" <gpzlist at micapeak.com>
Sent: Tuesday, March 17, 2009 10:37 AM
Subject: Success and another question


>I asked about removing the bottom screw from the front forks without the 
>special tool to keep the inside from turning.  The screw from the left fork 
>came out with an impact wrench.  The screw from the right fork was more 
>difficult.  The impact wrench loosened it up but then it just spun.
>
> There were a couple other suggestions, and wanting to try what I had on 
> hand first, I decided to try using the castle nut from the rear axle to 
> hold the inside still while I removed the screw.  The only issue was the 
> suggestion was to use the rear axle to hold it while I put it in the front 
> fork.  With the front wheel off, I couldn't also remove the rear axle.  So 
> I looked for something long enough to hold it.  I had already figured out 
> it was definitely the right size because I slid it down a wood dowel and 
> it nestled right in.  I had an extra axle from an old Sabre but it was a 
> smaller diameter so that didn't work.  I figured my next best try was to 
> find something that would slip inside the castle of the castle nut and 
> keep it from turning.  My real big slotted screw driver was long enough 
> but the handle was too big around to slip inside the fork tube.  Looking 
> around for something long and thin with a similar slotted end.  I found I 
> had a medium sized crowbar and it fit in to hold the inside and I got the 
> screw out.  So the forks are back together except I need one snap ring. 
> It was rusted in half.  The dealers don't have them in stock even though 
> they are used in various Kawasakis.  I need the bike together cause I need 
> it for work.  I tried making a temporary snap ring out of the thinest coat 
> hanger I had.  It fits but it is a little thicker than the stock one so it 
> isn't really in the slot.  I am going to try a local True Value store for 
> some thin stiff wire for a temporary fix.
>
> But in the meantime, another question.  Has anyone ever matched the 
> thermostat with a compatible automotive thermostat?  I cleaned my cooling 
> system last year trying to figure out why my bike would overheat when I am 
> not moving.  Apparently I never checked the thermostat because when I 
> checked it this morning, it never opened, even in boiling water.  So any 
> suggestions besides a $30 Kawasaki thermostat?
>
> Thanks for the help!
>
> bob Nelson