Thanks again for the encouragement. I'm always up for a challenge, I just feel this is unnecessary. But... I'm back at it... I'll try your tip of installing the fork without the tire, then drill a hole to install the tire. I wish I had a band saw and would just cut off the bottom 3/4" of the pant! (just enough to give me access to the axle)

Thanks again for your advise.

(the pictures are trying to show the tire near the shoulder at the top of the fork.

dc