Special tools for forks?

I have a 74 850 Commando, I have the new bushings and seals - question is - is there any special tools required to re-build my forks besides standard Whit and US wrenches and sockets? Thanks

Nope, bolt at the bottom, gland nut in the middle and large bolt at the top, that's it.

Thanks - gland nut has two small holes in it like for a spanner wrench ?

I use a Craftsman rubber strap wrench to remove and install the gland nuts.

No special tools but using good techniques can get the job done better. One problem could be damaging the oil seals when fitting, so this photo is one method which avoids using a drift or punch which could damage the seal.



Using the old bushes to drift the new ones into place. In the photo I have used a BSA fork seal holder tool as a slide hammer, but any tube that will slide over the stanchion will do, just remember to protect the chrome with tape.
The new seal is beneath the old bush, now just slide up and down and with minimal force or effort the new seals will be perfectly aligned with no damage

For extra protection you can use the old seal between the old bush and new seal. Cut off the rubber inner seal and outer surround (so you can get it out with ease).

There is always more than one way to do a job

Good luck
CB

For the top nuts I use 3/4" drive socket with the walls ground thinner to clear. They can be pretty tight and may need heat to help or air impact if a 4 ft breaker bar don't. The seal holders can also be a bugger that breaks rubber straps ugh, so had had to use HEAVY leather, not frail work gloves or welding glove grade and big channel lock pliers - after some good heat. Damper tube bottom bolt can lossen to only spin damper tube endlessly - so might try it first while spring pressure friction holding or later with long pliers or wedging stuff around it. The beat on damper cap can be a terror too but by that point it can be put in vice for obvious brute normal wrench or vice grips on it. Don't crust the tube of course but if as blacksmithed as my sets its dicy not too. After above I anti-seeze everything.

Using the old bushings is a great tip, I do that with a length of PVC pipe slipped over.

Do tap around the new and old bushes to make em more round on the stanchions and then compare which set fits best - as may not be the new ones I've found.