remove caliper pin plug - how?

At the risk of being flammed, I am going to ask a very noob question. I have read the manual, looked at the parts diagrams and searched this forum, but I have not found the answer.

How do you remove the front caliper pin plugs on an '87 VFR? They look like they would come out with a flatblade screwdriver, but I cannot get them to turn. What am I missing?

Thanks,

Rob

 

you're missing nothing; those bitches were over-tightened previously, and now you'll need to use penetrating oil, exactly the right screwdriver tip and advanced loosening techniques.....

this task is most easily done while caliper is still mounted firmly on bike

 

Had the same problem, even after I stripped them a little I was able to bust them loose with and impact screwdriver. The kind you hit with a hammer, it twist when struck and out they come. Use some anti seize when you put new ones back in.

Penetrating oil might do the trick also.

 

Sometimes it helps to break a frozen screw, by trying to tighten it first.

 

still not out...

Thanks for the replies. I tried the impact wrench after soaking with penetrating oil. However, I have just ended up tearing up the slots even more. I may have to drill them out (if that's even possible). One of them did about 1/2 turn, then stopped.

I have had the bike for about a year (its really my son's). I have no idea the last time those plugs were out, but we need to do a fork rebuild and replace the pads, so they have to come out one way or another. Once they are out, any reason to replace them? Or is it OK to just leave the bold heads exposed?

Thanks again.

Rob

 

YES, you can leave them off; they're mostly extra insurance that the pins don't fall out....

 

I finally got 3 of 4 out. It looks like Loctite was the issue. Hopefully, I will be able to get the last one out pretty soon. It just dumped a foot of snow here, so there is really nothing better to do.

I guess I'll order new replacements - the old ones are pretty torn up. Looks like they are about 4 bucks a pop.

Thanks for the help.

Rob