Topic: Look What Happened While Riding!

[736cc]

Here I am riding along when I noticed my fork and upper tree outa kilter. Apparently the tree cracked and slid the fork up. The handlebar stopped fork from sliding any further. The lower tree pinch bolts were not loose. Bike strange enough didn't feel wierd handling at all. I limped home.

Anybody have a 1969/70/71/72 upper tree for sale? I know they're not common to later years (73 and up different) but gotta have it. No riding until this part is sourced (I hate ebay)
See the crack at 9 'clock.

[bollingball]

Is this year suppose to have the d-washer in it? I don't see one. I know my 78 does not require one but I thought yours did.

Ken

[736cc]

The "D" washer is there as it should be in pic 1 at 6 o'clock, and pic 2 its right there. The new uninvited crack is at 9 o'clock in the 1st pic.

[WhyNot2]

Wow........good thing things didn't go south when that happened.

I prolly rode my 350F with mine broke and didn't notice it till I was playing with the pipes and looked up and there the crack was.

But, the forks never did that.............................wow....once again.

[70CB750]

Same place my K0 was cracked when I got it - with washers in place and everything. What is your VIN - mine is 106xxxx - maybe same Al mold?

Replaced mine from ebay.

[bollingball]

I think I see it now in pic. 2. Must have been stressed in the past by a PO that didn't have a torque wrench. It is a good thing your bars caught it and you saw it before to long. Years ago the term was to vet your machine. Vet meant to look it over for things just like that.
 I wonder if the washer is in place if it can still break if over torqued?
Ken

[Harsh]

Wow that sucks and I would have to say pretty lucky nothing catastrophic happened.

If you can't find what you are looking for, I have a complete (upper & lower) trees from a 74.

[MRieck]

Old stuff is old stuff and things happen secondary to that.

[MoMo]

You are very fortunate-that could have been a collapsed front end sending you flying over the front end...Larry

[ekpent]

Thats what happens when you keep popping those big wheelies  Good luck on the part hunt,hopefully you can find one on the cheap.

[harisuluv]

Yeah those upper trees are pretty rare. On eBay they go for over $100!

[Xnavylfr]

I have 1 for a sandcast model, it is also a "JDM" Japanese Domestic Model tree with guage clamps. This JDM tree still has the RED speed warning light lense (but not the bulb assy) and Japanese stickers just below the light. I'll take 125$ and shipping included.
I can get you a picture but it will be tomorrow before I can post it if you are interested.

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Old stuff is old stuff and things happen secondary to that.

Sounds like Mike knows my wife and the divorce    Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Just glad you didn't go down! Glad you're safe.

[scottly]

Here
The lower tree pinch bolts were not loose.

They may not have been "loose", but they couldn't have been tight: no way the fork tube could have slid up if they were tight. You didn't have "D" washers in the lower tree, did you?

[Stev-o]

Is this the right one?  (not mine)



http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/2875015335.html

[ekpent]

Not sure why you don't like eBay, but here's one for Buy it Now $25. Needs paint or polishing...


http://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Honda-cb750-Top-Triple-Tree-cb-750-/290681403212?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43adf6374c&vxp=mtr#ht_500wt_1156

Thats not a rhino horn top triple,its a 73 or later.

[754]

 it was probably just old.. too many cycle times = fatigue..

Remember when you almost got that early tree..trade for a later style..? Well I did the trade, but never got my tree.. I better PM him....probably got out of ther package, and someone at a PO somewhere, is looking at it ..going WTF is that off of..!!

[Xnavylfr]

Are you POSITIVE the bottom tree is a mate to the top?
If you mate a late model bottom tree to a unicorn top tree it puts stress on the top attach points and they WILL continue to CRACK!!!!

Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[Lostboy Steve]

Congratulations! You have successfully lowered your frontend without touching a wrench. 

[WhyNot2]

One hell of a way to lower the front end.........................................

[steam-powered man]

well, glad you didn't fall off that's for sure!

am wondering why the lower triple clamp bolts failed to hold the fork tubes in position?  clamping surface is bigger, bolts are stouter (at least on my k6 they are).       

[ekpent]

well, glad you didn't fall off that's for sure!

am wondering why the lower triple clamp bolts failed to hold the fork tubes in position?  clamping surface is bigger, bolts are stouter (at least on my k6 they are).       

That is an excellent observation. A+  Those lower steel triples do a lot more gripping than the uppers,wonder if the lowers were too loose if that could have added some stress and flexing to the aluminum uppers.

[MoMo]

well, glad you didn't fall off that's for sure!

am wondering why the lower triple clamp bolts failed to hold the fork tubes in position?  clamping surface is bigger, bolts are stouter (at least on my k6 they are).       

That is an excellent observation. A+  Those lower steel triples do a lot more gripping than the uppers,wonder if the lowers were too loose if that could have added some stress and flexing to the aluminum uppers.

Right, no way the forks would move up if the lower bolts were secured. ..Larry

[Stev-o]

Is this the right one?  (not mine)



http://raleigh.craigslist.org/mcy/2875015335.html

[736cc]

The lower bolts were as snug as I always snug 'em. I checked as soon as I got home. The crack on top tree meant no support up there whatsoever.
Maybe hitting a bump or 2 at my accelerated pace (ahem) had something to do w/ it, was leading an FJR1300 thru some very fast sections. More than once. More like all the time.