Topic: Forks by Frank???

[Tews19]

I am in the process of taking apart all sets of my forks that are laying around... I have on set of K1's that have immaculant tubes. I got them disassembled and upon wiping off the brillant chrome I noticed an engraving.

Forking By Frank...

They measure 29" so way to long!!!

PO a Chopper guy I guess?

[MCRider]

I am in the process of taking apart all sets of my forks that are laying around... I have on set of K1's that have immaculant tubes. I got them disassembled and upon wiping off the brillant chrome I noticed an engraving.

Forks By Frank...

They measure 29" so way to long!!!

PO a Chopper guy I guess?

Could be. Frank's will make them any length you want. You can probably sell those and get some stockers from FBF. Or ask FBF to cut them down for you, or a local machine shop. Though the chrome would be a concern.

The K1 fork (much dif, circlips, sliding parts, etc.) is dif than K2 and later so don't get drawn into K2+ tubes.

[Tews19]

Thanks MC. What do you mean drawn I to K2 tubes? Here are a few pics of the tube of one FBF. One of FBF still in the K1 lower. Also some tubes that were in other K1 lowers.

Another question. These tubes that are not FBF, are they shot? 

[754]

 I have cut many forks, around 50-75 bux.. other may charge differently..
 Usually the chrome is not a problem.
 Most k2 or older forks, the stovck ones will have issues, and they were never plated up top..

[Tews19]

I have cut many forks, around 50-75 bux.. other may charge differently..
 Usually the chrome is not a problem.
 Most k2 or older forks, the stovck ones will have issues, and they were never plated up top..

Thanks 754, is that a set for 50-75? Does that include any rethread of the inside to make them work right away or is it an extensive process?

Looking at tube prices, FBF are crazy expensive! I am going to contact them tomorrow. I was getting anxious to put the front end back together on the K1, but if I am able to get quality fork tubes with no pitting or discoloration I might as well.

[754]

 I meant a pair, rethreaded, but I have cut the other ends, usually on forx that have a taper on top.
 Too bad I am so far away, and shipping causes a person to walk funny these days..

[MCRider]

"What do you mean drawn to K2 tubes?"

I was anticipating that others would recommend for example, the tubes offered by CycleX. These are K2 tubes and will not work on a K1. The K2 tube is smooth down to the bottom. There is no circlip rings and/or hardware as there are on the K1 and earlier tubes. Completely different design.

Or if you buy some good used ones from forum members, just remember you can't use K2 and higher forks tubes ona K1 and lower fork.

Becuase of the extra machining on the K1 tubes they will be more expensive and as far as used, harder to come by as there aren't so many.

[Tews19]

"What do you mean drawn to K2 tubes?"

I was anticipating that others would recommend for example, the tubes offered by CycleX. These are K2 tubes and will not work on a K1. The K2 tube is smooth down to the bottom. There is no circlip rings and/or hardware as there are on the K1 and earlier tubes. Completely different design.

Or if you buy some good used ones from forum members, just remember you can't use K2 and higher forks tubes ona K1 and lower fork.

Becuase of the extra machining on the K1 tubes they will be more expensive and as far as used, harder to come by as there aren't so many.

Thanks MC for the explanation. I am pretty sure I have all K1 tubes as I was able to leave the damper thing inside the actual lower fork tube and remove everything else.


754- Shipping didn't stop a person who just bought one of my unicorn triples. 66 bucks to ship to Sweden!

[MCRider]

Understandably, I don't think you understand the distinction I'm trying to make. It has nothing to do with the damper tube in the lower leg.  Maybe you do understand, in which case...never mind.

In your 4th picture at the lower end of the tubes, you can see the bushings and small sleeve taht are held in place by circlips. Then above that and right under where the seal would go is a slider bushing.

From K2 forward, they have NONE of this stuff. The chrome tube rides directly iin the aluminum lower leg. So if you're going to replace tubes keep this in mind. AS the dia of the inside of the lower legs is different and would have to be changed to. Then the brakes and possibly fender mount and on and on.  K1 in for a penny in for a pound.   Franks is keen on this difference and will ask you 20 times before ordering do you have K1 and earlier or K2 and later.

The damp tube that is in the lower leg, I think is the same straight thru all models.

[754]

 The other important thing is that because of the EXTERNAL BUSHING, the ID of the older legs is far bigger than 35mm , around 38 or 39mm

On the later style forks that haver 35mm bores, much better interchangeabilty.. you can probably take hard-chromed 77/78 F tubes and put them in a K#-K^ K series lower leg, or long tubes from say an XL 250 can probably be made to work..

[Tews19]

I think I'm understanding. In this picture one can see the very bottom. The very bottom part is wider then the tube itself, then there is a washer looking thing ( grey, darker in color), then a metal clip, then a sleeve looking oart, metal clip and then the final grey part????All this distinguishes they are K1? Sorry is this is getting stupid, just trying to learn.

[MCRider]

Yes those are all K1. My only point was that if you were looking to replace the extended forks, the replacement must be K1 as well. The readily avaiable replacements from CYcleX and probably others are K2+

Carry on.   

[Tews19]

Yes those are all K1. My only point was that if you were looking to replace the extended forks, the replacement must be K1 as well. The readily avaiable replacements from CYcleX and probably others are K2+

Carry on.   

Thanks! I learn better the elementary way! Master's smasters; Doesn't mean much in relation to learning bikes!

[trueblue]

http://www.discovolantemoto.co.uk/fork-tubes/chrome-fork-tubes/honda/honda-1/prod_498.html

I bought new fork tubes for my 650 from Howard at Disco Volante Moto.  It cost me less for new fork tubes than it would have cost me to have mine rechromed and straightened, and the service was brilliant.

[fmctm1sw]

I am in the process of taking apart all sets of my forks that are laying around... I have on set of K1's that have immaculant tubes. I got them disassembled and upon wiping off the brillant chrome I noticed an engraving.

Forking By Frank...

They measure 29" so way to long!!!

PO a Chopper guy I guess?

I've seen that guy mentioned a few other times regarding forks:  http://www.frankmain.qpg.com/