Author Topic: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)  (Read 3704 times)

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Offline MCRider

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Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« on: April 19, 2013, 10:33:27 AM »
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-1970-Honda-Sandcast-CB750-KO-cb-H632-triple-tree-/350748273001?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item51aa39e969&vxp=mtr

"Good usable condition"!! Worth what he's asking?

Also, lesson taught: don't tighten the clamps without the spacers.
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
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Offline Tews19

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #1 on: April 19, 2013, 10:35:38 AM »
I saw that this am. Uni's command big bucks from what ive seen on eBay. I sold one last year to a guy in Sweden or Switzerland for over 240.
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
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Offline MCRider

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #2 on: April 19, 2013, 10:40:31 AM »
I saw that this am. Uni's command big bucks from what ive seen on eBay. I sold one last year to a guy in Sweden or Switzerland for over 240.
Yup.

At least the guy is honest.

As to pricing, its a little dependent on if somebody needs one at the time someone else wants to sell. But $240 is not uncommon.  I don't know why they are always stripped of hardware. Without the spacers they are little hand grenades.
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Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline Tews19

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #3 on: April 19, 2013, 10:42:21 AM »
I read on here when the tree cracks like the one in the listing it is useless.
1969 Honda CB750... Basket case
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Offline MCRider

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #4 on: April 19, 2013, 10:45:24 AM »
I read on here when the tree cracks like the one in the listing it is useless.

That's right. I know of no one who has ever repaired one. That one is a $79 boat anchor.

That's why the Good Usable Condition comment got me. He's not so honest after all, but he wasn't hiding anything. He probably just doesn't know. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
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Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline ekpent

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #5 on: April 19, 2013, 11:44:04 AM »
Does anybody have a good source or link for the 'D' washers ? Saw them once for sale somewhere. I'd like a few pair to have around the shop. Need one pair for sure for a resto in the future.

Offline MCRider

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #6 on: April 19, 2013, 12:05:26 PM »
Does anybody have a good source or link for the 'D' washers ? Saw them once for sale somewhere. I'd like a few pair to have around the shop. Need one pair for sure for a resto in the future.
This is a pet subject for me, the Unicorn and its spacers. I posted in the Tips and Tricks Forum, a thread on making the spacers yourself from cylinder head nut washers. (I have tones as do many others, They are slightly thicker than the original spacers and can be easily thinned. They are slightly larger in OD but one must live with that or get some machining done.

Standard hardware washers are too thin and you will surely (almost) break it as though there were no spacer.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline ekpent

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #7 on: April 19, 2013, 12:11:49 PM »
I am familiar with that conversion,I also have many of those thick head nut washers around also.

Offline MCRider

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #8 on: April 19, 2013, 12:20:07 PM »
I am familiar with that conversion,I also have many of those thick head nut washers around also.
I haven't seen any OEM or replacments made for sale anywhere. IF you find some post on it so we can stock up.  :D
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Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline ekpent

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #9 on: April 19, 2013, 12:27:03 PM »
I just looked around a little to no avail so far.Wish I had bought some when I seen them for sale though, seems they were around 4-6 bucks apiece and my rump kinda puckered a little at the price. Sometimes the time to buy something is when you see it.I think there out there somewhere though,if I find it I will share.

Offline Henning

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #10 on: April 19, 2013, 12:40:33 PM »
On the bottom triple, one of the steering stop pegs is badly bent, making that pretty much useless as well.

Shortly after getting my K1 ten years ago, the unicorn broke. I went into panic mode and bought two, one from Ebay and one from a forum member for $75. He was pretty shocked I offered him so much, but you can't get that sort of stuff in Europe.
71 or thereabouts 750 K1 - this one should have been put down

Offline MCRider

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #11 on: April 19, 2013, 12:41:52 PM »
I just looked around a little to no avail so far.Wish I had bought some when I seen them for sale though, seems they were around 4-6 bucks apiece and my rump kinda puckered a little at the price. Sometimes the time to buy something is when you see it.I think there out there somewhere though,if I find it I will share.
I'd say that's a fair price ATC.
Ride Safe:
Ron
1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline andy750

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #12 on: April 19, 2013, 12:51:17 PM »
Henning - I wish I knew you were a SOHC member in Roskilde when I was there for 5 weeks last May/June!

Do you go to Bike Night by the harbour on Thursdays?





cheers
Andy

Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline ekpent

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #13 on: April 19, 2013, 12:52:01 PM »
I just looked around a little to no avail so far.Wish I had bought some when I seen them for sale though, seems they were around 4-6 bucks apiece and my rump kinda puckered a little at the price. Sometimes the time to buy something is when you see it.I think there out there somewhere though,if I find it I will share.
I'd say that's a fair price ATC.
Yeah looking back I wish I hadn't gotten cheap,was thinking they must be making a comeback and maybe more were out there. Seems like I remember with the shipping etc they would have been like 20-25 bucks.Wonder what a place like this would charge for a batch,I could be the D washer King. Who's a good drawer with accurate measurements of one.  http://www.phoenixspecialty.com/products/stampings-emailer/?style=10
« Last Edit: April 19, 2013, 01:20:59 PM by ekpent »

Offline Dream750

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #14 on: April 19, 2013, 01:13:22 PM »
Does anybody have a good source or link for the 'D' washers ? Saw them once for sale somewhere. I'd like a few pair to have around the shop. Need one pair for sure for a resto in the future.

Eric, check out this D-shaped washer thread from MCRider. Easy and trick solution for those missing clamp washers. ;)

 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=72765.0


Offline Henning

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #15 on: April 19, 2013, 01:18:30 PM »
Andy,
I'm about a five minute walk from the harbour. I go down to look at the cars occasionally. The bikes are all Harleys or new, very few 70's or 80's bikes, which is what interests me, and I have yet to see an SOHC. What were you doing here for so long?
Regards, Henning
71 or thereabouts 750 K1 - this one should have been put down

Offline ekpent

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #16 on: April 19, 2013, 01:23:18 PM »
Does anybody have a good source or link for the 'D' washers ? Saw them once for sale somewhere. I'd like a few pair to have around the shop. Need one pair for sure for a resto in the future.

Eric, check out this D-shaped washer thread from MCRider. Easy and trick solution for those missing clamp washers. ;)

 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=72765.0


Yeah as mentioned in thread #7 I am familiar with that. I'll play around with a couple of those fatties a little.

Offline kghost

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #17 on: April 19, 2013, 01:32:21 PM »
I've welded those clamps. Never both sides tho.
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Offline Prospect

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #18 on: April 19, 2013, 01:49:14 PM »
I've welded those clamps. Never both sides tho.

How did it turn out?  Did you run them yet?
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Offline 70CB750

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #19 on: April 19, 2013, 02:19:59 PM »
My K0 came with broken one and it took me a while to notice.  I would believe that cracked bracket will still get you home, it actually got me around say 30 miles or so and I am inclined to believe the PO rode it with the bracket broken too.

But once you know the crack is there, you can't really enjoy the ride :)

Offline chewbacca5000

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #20 on: April 19, 2013, 03:14:04 PM »
Why not just grid the gauge tabs off an a latter top clamp and weld the horn onto that?  This way there would be no worries about safety.  With all the skill and brain power here we could have the horn CNC machined or have an mold made and pour them.

Just an idea.

Offline kghost

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #21 on: April 19, 2013, 03:21:37 PM »
I've welded those clamps. Never both sides tho.

How did it turn out?  Did you run them yet?


Yeah. I have one that's been on the bike 10 yrs.

However, remember a couple things..........

It's my bike. I wouldn't weld someone else's.

I do keep an eye on it.

It was beveled and welded all the way thru both sides.

It was welded with a miller syncowave that has about 6 billion variable settings.

I was completely confident in the fusion and weld penetration.



The top yoke is a cast piece of aluminium. I really can't think of a reason why it could not be welded.

They don't break from use they break when installed incorrectly or over tightened

I've seen bikes running around with the top yoke cracked and oblivious owners.....
Stranger in a strange land

Offline andy750

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #22 on: April 19, 2013, 07:03:04 PM »
Andy,
I'm about a five minute walk from the harbour. I go down to look at the cars occasionally. The bikes are all Harleys or new, very few 70's or 80's bikes, which is what interests me, and I have yet to see an SOHC. What were you doing here for so long?
Regards, Henning

Ah thats too bad I missed you! I was working at the NUNC plant. I would go down to the Harbour every Thursday and have a look around. Some interesting sights.

Andy

Current bikes
1. CB750K4: Long distance bike, 17 countries and counting...2001 - Trans-USA-Mexico, 2003 - European Tour, 2004 - SOHC Easy Rider Trip , 2008 - Adirondack Tour 2-up , 2013 - Tail of the Dragon Tour , 2017: 836 kit install and bottom end rebuild. And rebirth: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,173213.msg2029836.html#msg2029836
2. CB750/810cc K2  - road racer with JMR worked head 71 hp
3. Yamaha Tenere T700 2022

Where did you go on your bike today? - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=45183.2350

Offline MCRider

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #23 on: April 19, 2013, 07:24:07 PM »
I've welded those clamps. Never both sides tho.

How did it turn out?  Did you run them yet?


Yeah. I have one that's been on the bike 10 yrs.

However, remember a couple things..........

It's my bike. I wouldn't weld someone else's.

I do keep an eye on it.

It was beveled and welded all the way thru both sides.

It was welded with a miller syncowave that has about 6 billion variable settings.

I was completely confident in the fusion and weld penetration.



The top yoke is a cast piece of aluminium. I really can't think of a reason why it could not be welded.

They don't break from use they break when installed incorrectly or over tightened

I've seen bikes running around with the top yoke cracked and oblivious owners.....
You're The first (one who has successfully repaired one that I know of).  But as mentioned above, a cracked one (or a repaired one) takes the fun out of the ride. I couldn't bring my self to trust a repair.

I think that the fact that its been a problem for so long and good used ones bring so much money is natures way of telling us that  for the most part people will not be satisfied with a repair over a good used one.

I'm curious as to how you get the hole for the fork tube rounded out again, after a weld repair.

But I will say congrats to you, seriously, as I think you are in a small crowd that has done it.   :D
« Last Edit: April 19, 2013, 07:26:54 PM by MCRider »
Ride Safe:
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1988 NT650 HawkGT;  1978 CB400 Hawk;  1975 CB750F -Free Bird; 1968 CB77 Super Hawk -Ticker;  Phaedrus 1972 CB750K2- Build Thread
"Sometimes the light's all shining on me, other times I can barely see, lately it appears to me, what a long, strange trip its been."

Offline kghost

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Re: Unicorn Triple Tree pricing (also good for a laugh)
« Reply #24 on: April 19, 2013, 08:09:27 PM »
Next time I do one I'll detail the process.

I don't worry about it.....I just check it now and again.

It's not hard to see as its right out in the open....more like ....yup. Still there
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