Removing Triple Clamp

[He Man]

That part is connected to the headlamp reservoir. Autozone sells a vaccum kit pump kit so you can drain it before you remove it. It runs on DOT3 fluid which can strip paint if it touches your wheel, so be careful. Once you drain the fluid, you have to take the stabilizing fluid out of the gauges too. Its like a compass to stabilize the needle, same procedure as before. After that its a pretty simple task of just disconnecting the headlamp wires and then using some WD-40 and drill to remove the top triple.

[DarkStaR]

^^^  Thanks!

@ O.P.
I don't mean to discourage you, but maybe you should get someone who knows what they're doing to help you out, show you where everything is, and how everything works.

I'm guessing you also don't have a repair manual.  Might want to look into getting one.

[He Man]

you dont need a repair manual, just a hand vaccum pump and my instructions. I didnt just shoehorn a EVO1100 motor into S2R1000 without knowing a thing or two about changing triples. You know how many ccs i had to take out of my gauges before i could remove it? 2,000cc. thats a 2Liter of coke man. Give me a break. 

[nedliv]

i'm thinking i might have to install these clip-ons above the triple. this thing is too difficult to get off. and if I install on top of the triple there will be some extra room such that the clip-on clamp will not be fully wrapped around the forks (since I can't lower the triple that much)

[Jarvicious]

That part is connected to the headlamp reservoir. Autozone sells a vaccum kit pump kit so you can drain it before you remove it. It runs on DOT3 fluid which can strip paint if it touches your wheel, so be careful. Once you drain the fluid, you have to take the stabilizing fluid out of the gauges too. Its like a compass to stabilize the needle, same procedure as before. After that its a pretty simple task of just disconnecting the headlamp wires and then using some WD-40 and drill to remove the top triple.

25 seconds in...

[Raux]

i'm thinking i might have to install these clip-ons above the triple. this thing is too difficult to get off. and if I install on top of the triple there will be some extra room such that the clip-on clamp will not be fully wrapped around the forks (since I can't lower the triple that much)

dont' do that.

seriously, find a local guy who knows Ducs. you need an assist on this.

[stopintime]

Whoever takes the next step on your clip on install, will have to remove the headlamp - behind it there is access to the "mini U bracket" which is what keeps you from removing the top triple. The "mini-U" is bolted to the larger U-bracket.

I agree with the advice to get help - at least when things come back together - making sure everything is alligned and torqued properly. Triple tree/front end work is kind of serious. That goes for installing the brake and throttle too.

[sofadriver]

Whoever takes the next step on your clip on install, will have to remove the headlamp - behind it there is access to the "mini U bracket" which is what keeps you from removing the top triple. The "mini-U" is bolted to the larger U-bracket.

I've had these thingies off several times and it's easy. Just fold a shop rag so you've got the edges of the flat part of the "mini-U" well padded and then clamp some vice grips on so they are standing straight up. With just a little muscle you can lift it up and over that little stud. No problem. Don't worry, you won't bend it.

I agree with the advice to get help - at least when things come back together - making sure everything is alligned and torqued properly. Triple tree/front end work is kind of serious. That goes for installing the brake and throttle too.
^^
that's some good advice

[MashBill]

I still do not understand why you are trying to remove the top triple tree....

Take the front wheel and fender off, loosen the fork clamping bolts from the upper and lower trees, slide the forks down enough to put your clip-ons on, and reverse to reassemble.  A 30 minute job tops.

[Raux]

I still do not understand why you are trying to remove the top triple tree....

Take the front wheel and fender off, loosen the fork clamping bolts from the upper and lower trees, slide the forks down enough to put your clip-ons on, and reverse to reassemble.  A 30 minute job tops.

this is more difficult
you still have to disconnect the light from the top triple. you have to suspend the front. and you risk potential front end problems if you don't reinstall properly. and if you don't hit the exact mark on lifting the forks back up u change your handling

no i would never do it that way

[He Man]

i disagree, dropping the triple is a way better method.

If you can draw a straight line with a ruler, you can line up forks on a triple. Aside from that, all you need to do is release a few bolts. You do need a 2nd hand though.

i dont know which light you are talknig about, but its a much easier process. However, the main drawback is that you need under the tree stands, which most people dont have.

[Raux]

ok. tell me how dropping the triple is easier that taking off the top..

You still have to disconnect the U-bracket from the top.

you have 6 bolts bolts for the lower and upper vs 3 bolts for the top triple

You have to raise the front vs not raising the front

You have to realign the front end vs no realign the front end

If you take the wheel off, you have to remove the calipers, fender, wheel and put it all back together vs... not doing all that.

again, how is it easier?

[He Man]

ok. tell me how dropping the triple is easier that taking off the top..

You still have to disconnect the U-bracket from the top.
Not sure why, again im on a older bike. if the 696 is different then thats why i said  depends on what bike ( i wrote light by accidnet) you have.

you have 6 bolts bolts for the lower and upper vs 3 bolts for the top triple
1 extra minute of your life doesnt make it harder, and i have 4 bolts on the lower, not that it matters, im using power tools.

You have to raise the front vs not raising the front
if you dont have a triple stand, you dont have a triple stand. end of story. if you do, then whats the 5 seconds it takes to level teh front instead of doing it while the bike is leaned?

You have to realign the front end vs no realign the front end
not hard, There are ref lines to raise or lower your forks or you can just stick to the stock height by lining the top of the fork to the lip of the triple. Not hard at all.

If you take the wheel off, you have to remove the calipers, fender, wheel and put it all back together vs... not doing all that.

i dont take the wheel off, i take the calipers off ( and blast all the dust off while im in it) and drop the fork and wheel as a combo.  I use my foot to jam the tire  to keep it straight, slip on the clip ons, then pick up the fork bottoms stick it up and then hand tighten the triple. Align and fully tighten.

again, how is it easier?

Ive removed the triple plenty of times until i got a triple stand. i can drop the forks and install them significantly faster than removing the top triple.

The only time i found it easier to remove the top triple is when the speedometer is on the front wheel, then its more cumbersome because that line is really short and you are fighting with the line to get enough to slip the clip on.

if you set your bike up for clip ons already, then that means there are no clearance issues and droping the fork is easier because you dont have to remove anything aside from fender and brake.  just slip them on. otherwise the gauges need to come off and u need to mess with ur steering stops again.

but this is all a moot point if u dont have a  triple stand.

[Raux]

on the 696. the top triple...

5 bolts. two on the lower triple for the light, 2 on the upper triple around the forks, and 1 at the steering stem.

on my setup, 3 (my dash mounts to the top triple with a custom mount)


I'm just done both, and for someone with little experience and equipment, the top triple is so much easier.

[He Man]

well then bring the beer and we'll have a clip on face off simultaneous with a beer chugging contest.