Author Topic: Bent forks...what is stock tube length? (Read 5096 times)

shorty24 · « **on:** May 13, 2012, 05:22:43 pm »

So I found out recently that the PO of my CB550 managed to bend the forks, must've hit a curb or something. I think I should be able to get away with just replacing the fork tubes, the legs seem to be in pretty good shape still. I just have a quick question; does anybody know offhand what the stock fork tube length is for a '77 CB550? Could I just replace them with tubes from a 750, or from a newer 650 Nighthawk or something?

754 · « **Reply #1 on:** May 13, 2012, 09:51:06 pm »

probably not...
why not get them straightened ?

somesuch · « **Reply #2 on:** May 13, 2012, 10:15:46 pm »

Quote from: 754 on May 13, 2012, 09:51:06 pm

probably not...
why not get them straightened ?

+1 old Honda fork tubes are pretty easy to straighten unless they are creased.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2012, 10:22:01 pm »

You dont want to straighten tubes that have pitted chrome...so if they are worth fixing how much is that kind of repair and who does that kind of work?
Franks Forks will sell you replacement tubes

somesuch · « **Reply #4 on:** May 14, 2012, 03:37:41 am »

I have not taken the forks (or anything for that matter

) in for repair in a long time, I always do them myself, and it takes about an hour to do, so I imagine $80-$100 would be what the cost of that repair should be.

shorty24 · « **Reply #5 on:** May 14, 2012, 03:44:00 am »

I don't have the proper tools to straighten them myself, and I don't know anyone around here who does that kind of work. Also, for $80 to $100 I could buy 2 or 3 sets of fork tubes... I figure since mine do have a little bit of pitting anyways, I might as well just replace them. I know they are 35mm, I'm just not sure on the length, and couldn't find the factory specs for that anywhere.

bollingball · « **Reply #6 on:** May 14, 2012, 05:54:55 am »

http://www.frankmain.qpg.com/
http://www.cyclexchange.net/Frame%20Page.htm
If you go with cyclex call there have been post about there tubes being 1in off.

Ken

754 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 14, 2012, 07:41:23 am »

I dont think I ever charged over 60 buz to straighten them , usually a lot less. Cutting them down runs 60-80 bux.
After market forks, can be out of tolerance a bit, decorative chrome wears rather quickly. hard chrome is far better..
a lot of used forks, have issues.. so that can be a problem..

kyre · « **Reply #8 on:** May 14, 2012, 05:30:42 pm »

I just took my forks apart on my 74 550k front end and the length is 22 1/8" (edited: I mentioned 21 1/8 before and remeasured before ordering my tubes from cycle x. Not sure where the 21 1/8 came from...) Not sure if that's the same as a 77 but probably. I need to get new tubes as well and have no idea where to get a good set cheapish.. Forking by frank sells new for around $300 shipped. Not cheap at all.. Cycle xchange has 750 forks for $150 but not sure they'd fit? I'd love to know as well.. They sell them -2 (21 13/16) and -3 (20 13/16).

RAFster122s · « **Reply #9 on:** May 14, 2012, 06:33:24 pm »

CycleXchange has a cb500/cb550 page now off their Honda page and they will sell you a kit for the 500/550 part 500-001 for $149 & shipping and they are 21 13/16" long tubes. Lots of cb750 parts that crossover, or so they think, along with 500/550 engine specific stuff.
Fwiw! Hope that helps!

Edit > fork tubes only no seal or boots for that price...sorry, i didnt read close and went by the photo...

kyre · « **Reply #10 on:** May 14, 2012, 06:56:47 pm »

Yes! Man their website is so bad and they know it.. The 550 section is pretty much hidden. http://www.cyclexchange.net/Fender%20Page.htm

Thanks RAFster

shorty24 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 14, 2012, 08:40:08 pm »

Quote from: kyre on May 14, 2012, 06:56:47 pm

Yes! Man their website is so bad and they know it.. The 550 section is pretty much hidden. http://www.cyclexchange.net/Fender%20Page.htm

Thanks RAFster

Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you so much!

shorty24 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2012, 06:18:53 pm »

I just ordered the fork set from CycleX today, I will let you all know how they work out once I get them installed!

killersoundz · « **Reply #13 on:** May 16, 2012, 06:50:21 pm »

what size are the cb750 fork tubes? Just so if I come across another set of forks/front end from a different bike that I might want to use...

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 16, 2012, 07:34:22 pm »

both 550 and 750 use 35mm tubes...still don't know length for sure

RAFster122s · « **Reply #15 on:** May 16, 2012, 08:40:05 pm »

Shorty, when you pull your old fork tubes...if you measure them, please post your measurement. If you find they are a little longer you can fit them with this difference above the top triple tree so it changes nothing from stock trail and rke and thus handling. David

shorty24 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 17, 2012, 07:38:40 am »

Quote from: RAFster122S on May 16, 2012, 08:40:05 pm

Shorty, when you pull your old fork tubes...if you measure them, please post your measurement. If you find they are a little longer you can fit them with this difference above the top triple tree so it changes nothing from stock trail and rke and thus handling. David

Will do, thanks for the tip!

onepieceatatime · « **Reply #17 on:** May 20, 2012, 08:42:52 am »

Quote from: shorty24 on May 13, 2012, 05:22:43 pm

So I found out recently that the PO of my CB550 managed to bend the forks, must've hit a curb or something. I think I should be able to get away with just replacing the fork tubes, the legs seem to be in pretty good shape still. I just have a quick question; does anybody know offhand what the stock fork tube length is for a '77 CB550? Could I just replace them with tubes from a 750, or from a newer 650 Nighthawk or something?

I just measured the tubes off my project and the bent tubes I replaced on my other project.
1980 CB650 tubes are 23"
1980 CB650C tubes are 25 1/8"
They are 35mm also.

RAFster122s · « **Reply #18 on:** May 20, 2012, 02:48:15 pm »

Shorty replied in a new thread that his 78 cb550 f fork tubes measured 22 1/2 inches while cyclex replace
ment cb550 fork tubes were 21 13/16.

David

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Author Topic: Bent forks...what is stock tube length? (Read 5096 times)

bollingball