Before you start working on the forks, it is essential to make sure you have a properly equipped workbench.
The ideal setup does not only mean having the right tools, but also having the necessary spaces and accessories to work safely, methodically and with the utmost precision.
Below is a detailed checklist, by category, to understand the importance of each aspect.
The complete checklist for a high-performance motorcycle shock rebuild bench
Basic tools for disassembly and reassembly
Before getting into the most technical details, you need a solid base of generic but quality tools.
These tools make the difference in ensuring clean, orderly work without unintentional damage to the parties.
- Set of Allen and socket wrenches: to adapt to the different types of bolts on the forks.
- Screwdrivers of different sizes: better if with interchangeable tips, to avoid damaging the heads of the screws and simplify the adaptation to different couplings.
- Precision pliers, pincers and cutters: essential to carefully handle seals and other small components, avoiding deformation or breakage.
Specific equipment for forks
Moving on to dedicated tools, forks require specialised equipment to be disassembled, compressed and reassembled in the correct way.
These devices ensure safe operation, reducing the risk of damage to components and simplifying work.
- Fork clamp: it allows you to lock the fork in a stable position, avoiding unwanted rotations and allowing you to concentrate the force where it is needed.
- Fork spring compressors: essential for gradually compressing and releasing the springs, preventing the uncontrolled ejection of internal components.
- Dedicated torque wrenches: to apply the correct tightening torque, respecting the manufacturer's specifications and avoiding future problems such as damaged threads or compromised seals.
Consumables and spare parts
A good technician repairs and prevents future breakdowns.
Having the most common consumables and spare parts available at hand is essential to complete the work in a single session, with no need to interrupt operations looking for missing parts.
- Specific oils for forks: available in a range of various viscosity, they allow you to customise the suspension response, optimising comfort and performance.
- Gaskets, oil seals and sealing rings: to be replaced regularly to keep the fork efficient over time, avoiding oil leaks and dirt infiltration.
- Technical greases and lubricants: formulated to reduce friction and protect the most delicate internal surfaces, prolonging the operating life of the fork.
Measurement and control instruments
Precision tools allow you to evaluate wear, tolerances and deformations, guaranteeing a professional intervention that complies with technical specifications.
- Digital gauge: to measure diameters, lengths, thicknesses and depths with centesimal precision.
- Micrometre and comparator: essential in the control of critical components to accurately identify the wear of shafts, bushings and bearings.
- Pressure gauges: if the fork is pressurized (air or nitrogen), these tools allow you to check the correct internal pressure.
Cleaning equipment
Cleanliness is also a key aspect.
A fork only works well if it is free of contaminants, residues and deposits that can compromise its smoothness and tightness. With the right tools, cleaning can be faster and more accurate
- Ultrasonic tray: it guarantees a deep cleaning of metal components, removing dirt and oily residues even from the most difficult to reach interstices.
- Brushes and microfiber cloths: to gently remove residues without scratching surfaces.
- De-greasing sprays and specific detergents: designed to remove oil and impurities without affecting sensitive materials.
Supports and organization
A workbench where everything is in its place, easily accessible and well organised is a truly efficient one.
A good disposition of tools and spare parts reduces the time lost in research, improves the quality of work and decreases the possibility of errors.
- Magnetic or wall-mounted tool holder: to keep the most used tools in sight, ready for use at all times.
- Drawers labelled for spare parts: a real must to find the right gasket or bushing in a few seconds, especially when dealing with complex operations.
- Adequate lighting: directional work lamps with natural light facilitate the detection of imperfections, wear and any defects that are difficult to notice.
Organising your motorcycle fork overhaul bench goes far beyond the simple presence of basic tools: it is about creating an orderly, ergonomic work environment tailored to your professional needs.
For this reason, opting for quality solutions is essential.
At KIRO, we specialise in modular and customisable workbenches.
Thanks to their versatility, you can configure your bench with the necessary modules, accessories and spaces to optimise each phase of the fork overhaul, ensuring maximum efficiency, precision and operating comfort.
With a KIRO bench, you will have a tailor-made tool, able to adapt perfectly to your needs, guaranteeing professional results and satisfied customers.
Discover all our solutions by downloading the free catalogue.