Topic: Frank's Forks are no more

[Jeff.Saunders]

Forking by Frank's is shutting down.
 
We attempted to place an order for fork tubes 3-4 weeks ago and it took many calls over 2 weeks to even reach someone who said they couldn't take orders at this time as Mary (the owner) was seriously ill in hospital. 

Since then we've not been able to speak with them directly - although this past week I talked with a few different people in the industry who heard about them selling off all their raw material...

It will be a shame to lose them, while you can find places making the more popular fork tubes, they could make tubes for far more bikes.

[754]

Its been around 40 years, and she ran it most of that time.
 I am pretty sure it was hard to be competitive, what with a few places selling offshore product for about 60% of their price.. 

[Tews19]

The tubes on my K1 are from franks.  I got them from a stash I picked up in MN with a few k1s. The tubes were about 6 inches longer then stock but had the forking by franks on the tubes. I called them up, sent the tubes to them and had the tubes back in no time. Great service.  Shame the place is closing.

[SOHC Digger]

Well that just plain sucks.

[scottly]

Sad to hear; seems they have been around forever, like Brown's plating.

[cb650]

Have a set also.  Sorry to hear them go.

[dusterdude]

Yes it does suck

[Trad]

I got a set for my 550k about 3 months ago. Mary was the one who answered the phone and took my order and was even able to do a custom shorter length for me.  She seemed really friendly and truly knew her stuff. Too bad she fell ill; seems like there will be a void for sure now that the business is closing.

[Dream750]

This is a crying shame for the owners of all makes and models of motorcycles.

I first visited Frank's Maintenance & Engineering Inc. in 1976 to order fork tubes for my CB750 and again in 1992 for my HD fork tubes. This was a traditional Mom and Pop operation without a fancy storefront, just a counter, shipping area, machine shop and a couple of employees.

Frank had his gold plated HD Shovelhead in the July 1972 issue of Big Bike magazine:

[ekpent]

Wonder if the bike is still in the families possession ? I can't imagine what that would cost today to do with the price of gold, parts and labor.

[Dream750]

I asked Mary about the gold Shovel during my ‘92 shop visit. She told me the bike had been sold and didn’t have any further info. It was believed to be in the hands of a private collector at the time, but who knows?

[754]

Frank got killed in a plane crash. I think within a few years of building that bike, and Mary ran it ever since. Funny I dont really remember that bike...
 Trying to remember what we paid for forks. Maybe 140ish?
 At the time that mag article came out, there were at least a dozen fork tube makers.

[Black 750K8]

I wonder if this is why cycleX is so low on supply of fork tubes. Have not been able to get the lowering kit for a 750 for a long time now I don't know where they get them from but makes me wonder.

[754]

Frank were around 240, so no he was not getting them made in USA, I would bet.

 The less you pay for getting forks made, the less likely they will drop everything to make you more.. That I am thinking is the issue..

[Hannibal Smith]

What a shame. I was turned on the Frank's many years ago, and got maybe 8-10 sets from them over the years.

I remember my first set was for a vintage Ducati racebike I was restoring (bevel drive, baby!) and I didn't have the original tubes. They had the specs cataloged and squared me away. I was shocked.

[Terry in Australia]

That is sad, I wonder if someone will buy the business and keep it running? Cheers, Terry.

[RAFster122s]

Sad to hear; seems they have been around forever, like Brown's plating.

+1

The fate of Brown's is probably going to have a similar story unless they are making more money than I imagine, which I doubt. Many shops have shuttered because of the environmental regulations and cost of doing business is very high...  It is labor intensive as well.

[Red Good]

Son of a #$%* , I have been doing business with them since 79!

[Powderman]

I priced CB400f forks from them recently and they were around $320. Where else are forks for this bike available if I can't get them for Frank's? The price of them concerned as to whether my forks were worth restoring and being able to sell them at a profit. I swapped by Cb400f front end for CB600F1 and wanted to restore the old front end from the upper tree to the caliper but wasn't sure if it was worth the time and money.