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Author Topic: GL1000 fork swap  (Read 2724 times)

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Offline larrydallas

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GL1000 fork swap
« on: October 16, 2012, 08:21:07 am »
Looking to swap front ends on my 75 cb550 to a gl1000...is there a specific years I should look for?  Going to see at a 78 this weekend but don't want to waste my money and get the wrong year.
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Offline Xnavylfr

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Re: GL1000 fork swap
« Reply #1 on: October 16, 2012, 01:35:01 pm »
I don't think the 78 will be a direct swap for you!! Us chopper/bobber riders use the 75/76 GL frontends. You use the COMPLETE frontend from top tripple tree all the way down to the axle including wheel and brakes and Master cylinder. You will have to change to taper bearings in the neck with a kit form allballs.com it should include the bearing seat that goes on the stem the new taper bearing and the new bearing race for inside the neck.  It's a good swap and fairly easy for any gearhead!!


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)
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Offline mazen0822

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Re: GL1000 fork swap
« Reply #2 on: October 18, 2012, 06:18:34 pm »
I did this swap on my 76' 550F. You will need a complete front end off of a 75/76 GL if you want to keep the spokes or 78/79 to go with a comstar rim I believe. You will also have to swap the stem from the 550 in to the GL tree as they are different lengths.
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: GL1000 fork swap
« Reply #3 on: October 19, 2012, 09:19:36 am »
You can use the '78, but you will also need to convert to roller bearings. Honda changed the headset on the GL1000 from ball bearing to roller bearing in '77.

The '75-75 is a direct bolt in without having to also convert the bearings.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline mazen0822

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GL1000 fork swap
« Reply #4 on: October 19, 2012, 11:53:04 am »
It doesn't matter about the bearings between all those GL models as you will still have to press in the 550 stem into the GL bottom tree.

The GL swap is not a direct fit for a 550. It is for a 750. The stems are different lengths.

For the forks, just buy a set to tapered head bearings for a 550 and press in the 550 stem to the GL bottom tree. You will also need the entire break system from the GL or fit something a bit more modern on there. I'm not sure about the wheels on the 78/79 GL. 78/79 were comstar's I believe but I could be wrong.
« Last Edit: October 19, 2012, 12:03:22 pm by mazen0822 »
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Offline seanbarney41

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Re: GL1000 fork swap
« Reply #5 on: October 19, 2012, 01:25:13 pm »
Quote from: mazen0822 on October 19, 2012, 11:53:04 am


The GL swap is not a direct fit for a 550. It is for a 750. The stems are different lengths.

I believe that is incorrect.  I understood the 550 and 750 lower trees(including stems) to be identical.  Guess I have never done a direct comparison.  Anybody know?
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Offline mazen0822

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Re: GL1000 fork swap
« Reply #6 on: October 19, 2012, 03:52:54 pm »
Quote from: seanbarney41 on October 19, 2012, 01:25:13 pm
Quote from: mazen0822 on October 19, 2012, 11:53:04 am


The GL swap is not a direct fit for a 550. It is for a 750. The stems are different lengths.

I believe that is incorrect.  I understood the 550 and 750 lower trees(including stems) to be identical.  Guess I have never done a direct comparison.  Anybody know?

I know as i've done this swap. The stems are different lengths.
I have a 76' CB550F with a 76' GL1000 frontend, race tech gold valves, 6 pot caliper and brembo disk.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=52117.0
« Last Edit: October 19, 2012, 04:07:57 pm by mazen0822 »
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