Author Topic: Fork options  (Read 2168 times)

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Offline apex_seeking

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Fork options
« on: January 06, 2012, 08:05:12 am »
I'm tired of dealing with the rust on the upper portion of the tubes and looked into rechroming. I found out that decoritive chrome won't work and apparently no one does hard chroming in small batches in the US.

So I guess I'm buying new. I know forks by frank comes highly recommended but what about cycle x or racetech? Any one have any experiences with forks from these guys? Thanks in advance.

Offline rbmgf7

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2012, 02:05:46 pm »
It would be cheaper to buy new forks anyways. If there's pitting, it'll cost a buttload to have someone go back and fill it with welds if you're seeking an industrial hard chrome finish. A 3-stage chrome job will help fill the pitting with the copper layer but this option is also pricey.

I've ordered a set of forks from CycleX and they're good quality. Not sure for your bike but for the 750, you want the -1" set to match the stock length. I called FBF and they quoted me just shy of $300 for a set. I've heard great things about them so I'd take them into consideration if I didn't have CycleX. I've only purchased springs from Racetech but I did notice they had forks for the CB's. I believe they cost more from Racetech than FBF's.

Suck since Denver is so big, there isn't much as far as chroming shops. Only place I found was Denver Bumper and they only do nickel-chrome, no copper. I also heard some not-so-great things about them from another member.

Offline camelman

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2012, 03:43:40 pm »
I'll vouch for FBF. Good product true to the original.
1972 350f rider: sold
1972 350f/466f cafe: for sale
1977 CB400f cafe:sold
1975 CB400f rider: sold
1970 CB750 K0 complete bike: sold
2005 Triumph Sprint ST 1050 rider

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bollingball

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2012, 04:20:21 pm »
OK What does FBF stand for?

Offline wildcatmahone

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2012, 04:32:37 pm »
Forking By Frank.

Offline 754

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2012, 08:06:53 pm »
&&/78 750 tubes (hardchrome ) fit earlier forks, F ones might too.
 for a 500, 550 gaiterless forks are hard chrome.., may need the gutz, or just buy 550 complete fork assemblies
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
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Offline wedoo2

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #6 on: January 08, 2012, 05:44:04 am »
I have the same problem, but instead of putting out the money for new shocks, I think I'm going to try to paint the tops of each one.  Mine are good and the bottoms have buffed out nice.  Besides, I'm going to put a fairing on the bike.
Some days the sun is too loud.

Offline Doctor_D

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #7 on: January 08, 2012, 09:20:56 am »
I have -1 CycleX's, which are (as has been said) stock length.  I have no complaints about them. 
Take care,
David
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1975 CB 750F - Project page: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=66026.msg725479#msg725479
1978 CX500
1971 Norton Commando

Offline apex_seeking

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #8 on: January 09, 2012, 10:08:06 am »
OK, updates. I called FBF and the prices were pretty steep. More than I have sitting in my (wife's ;)) account. I called Racetech and they don't carry the 550 fork tubes, just the 500. I'm not sure if they cross over but I didn't really want to deal with all the headaches if they did not fit my lowers.

CycleX had them in stock and they are only asking $150 for a set. I did have to call to find out which ones were for the 550 because their site isn't the most through but big deal. I'll post how they are once the arrive.

Thanks to everyone who chimed in. I love to know what your experiences have been before I drop a chunk of change on things.

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #9 on: January 09, 2012, 10:45:23 am »
It would be cheaper to buy new forks anyways. If there's pitting, it'll cost a buttload to have someone go back and fill it with welds if you're seeking an industrial hard chrome finish. A 3-stage chrome job will help fill the pitting with the copper layer but this option is also pricey.

I've ordered a set of forks from CycleX and they're good quality. Not sure for your bike but for the 750, you want the -1" set to match the stock length. I called FBF and they quoted me just shy of $300 for a set. I've heard great things about them so I'd take them into consideration if I didn't have CycleX. I've only purchased springs from Racetech but I did notice they had forks for the CB's. I believe they cost more from Racetech than FBF's.

Suck since Denver is so big, there isn't much as far as chroming shops. Only place I found was Denver Bumper and they only do nickel-chrome, no copper. I also heard some not-so-great things about them from another member.
How do you get in touch w/ that Cycle X ? is it Cycle Exchange ?? or Cycle Express ?? anybody have the contact information ??
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline Doctor_D

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #10 on: January 09, 2012, 01:59:15 pm »
Take care,
David
___________________________________________
1975 CB 750F - Project page: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=66026.msg725479#msg725479
1978 CX500
1971 Norton Commando

Offline grcamna2

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #11 on: January 09, 2012, 02:04:30 pm »
Thanks Doctor_D.
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline apex_seeking

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Fork options
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2012, 07:47:20 am »
Updates

I got the tubes in. And in record time. 3 days from the order date to my front door. The tubes I ordered were labeled as 750 tubes -2. There were a few small differences, mainly the groove that sits inside the lower was in a different location in relation to the stock 550 tubes. But I got them all put together and they look great. I'm going to have to wait on getting the bike reassembled before I can see how it all feels but I'm sure it will be fine.

Just an FYI, for those of you that want to go with dust boots instead of the gaitors on your 550, the 500t boots will fit, and let you show off those new tubes.

Offline Really?

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2012, 09:01:21 am »
My cyclex -2's came with dust boots and I used them!

I don't have a motorcycle, sold it ('85 Yamaha Venture Royale).  Haven't had a CB750 for over 40 years.

The Wife's Bike - 750K5
The Kid's Bike - 750K3

Offline luap

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2012, 09:16:34 am »
those look great, how are those dust covers? Ive ordered some from dimesh!ttycycles before then they started cracking after a weak, oem ones are the way to go for those
75-550 ffsc sold, 78-550 diamonte sold, 125s grasshopper sold, 76-550 puma sold, 78-550 tracker sold, 74-550 verde diablo Sold, 74-550 Noemani finished trying to sell. 72 500 hartail in the works
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Offline Really?

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Re: Fork options
« Reply #15 on: January 17, 2012, 09:54:39 am »
It has been a couple years and they are not showing any issues.
I don't have a motorcycle, sold it ('85 Yamaha Venture Royale).  Haven't had a CB750 for over 40 years.

The Wife's Bike - 750K5
The Kid's Bike - 750K3

Offline apex_seeking

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Fork options
« Reply #16 on: January 17, 2012, 10:23:49 am »
I had the same problem with the dime city gaitors.

I saw they had a package deal available to get tubes, seals and boots at some point but it wasn't available when I ordered it. At least I didn't see it if it was. Oh well.