Any suggestions to popping the slider dust cover off of 49mm forks? The service manual recommends a brass drift tool in the slot on the cover. Looks like a flathead screwdriver would suffice, but no dice. I'm afraid to pound it too hard and damage the assembly.

Suggestions?

 

Scott,I used a brass punch and tapped it to remove mine. This was as close to a brass drift as I could come. This did put a small mark on the cover. I lines this mark up with the indentation on the slider so it was back in its original position. It is not noticeable unless you are looking directly at it. I don't know how it would be possible to remove them with no marks.

 

I would reconmend using brass cause it soft and will cause less damage. I used and old brass slide lock I found in the garage when I moved in. It worked just fine.

 

Do you just tap up (away from the slider) on the cap in the slot? It seems simple, but I must be missing something here.

 

Start at the slot and work your way around until it comes free.

 

Mine were pretty damn snug. Had to give it a good whack before they broke loose. I used a steel punch as I could not find a brass drift. It did put a little divot in the dust cover, but as stated before you will line that up to the slot when you put them back on. Or you can do what I did and install the chrome fron end package. It comes with new dust covers that use a set screw.