800 XC how to's

[Mustang]

 Fork maintenance
this is a link to 675.net but the procedure is similar for the XC............... thanks to BlackTiger

[Hemibee]

I was doing a little searching on YouTube for some 800XC videos and came across this page with several videos on maintenance for the 800XC.

https://www.youtube.com/user/MuddySump/videos

[blacktiger]

Fork maintenance
this is a link to 675.net but the procedure is similar for the XC............... thanks to BlackTiger

Well, most of the bits look the same and it comes apart the same but for the XC you don't need the spring compressor. The spring is almost at its full extension when unloaded so it easy to compress slightly by hand to get the top washer out.
I also didn't need the damping cartridge holder to undo the bottom bolt. Mine came out OK. 

[blacktiger]

Well, most of the bits look the same and it comes apart the same but for the XC you don't need the spring compressor. The spring is almost at its full extension when unloaded so it easy to compress slightly by hand to get the top washer out.
I also didn't need the damping cartridge holder to undo the bottom bolt. Mine came out OK.

Maybe jinxed myself there..............................
Today I went into the garage to change the fork cartridges in my "newer" 800 to fit the Maxton ones I bought for my original 800 that I took off before I sold her on. I managed to fit them and take them out without issue.
Well, one fork leg was a right bastard on this bike. The Showa cartridges aren't very well put together because what happened was, when I tried to undo the bolt that holds the cartridge in place in the bottom of the fork, it got half a thread out and then things started to spin. BUT, it wasn't the whole cartridge spinning because I was holding that. No, it was an insert in the bottom of the cartridge that is only held in place by two dot punch marks.
In the end I had to take it to my favorite local shop and get them to try using their airgun. Fortunately the bolt came out with some rapid acceleration.
So be warned that the standard forks are really rubbish and cheap in their build.