Topic: Fork tube length, difference in early years vs later years?

[mcswny]

Just as the headline reads, was wondering if there's difference in fork tube length in early years vs later years?

My 750K2 has the early style forks (smaller diameter seal, etc) and has a noticeable longer rake compared to my friends 750. Was wondering if the the early style forks are making this happen or if the PO got aftermarket extended fork tubes?

And if  this were the case and I went back to stock length tubes, but the handling get better? Not that its bad, but just wondering.

Thanks!

[PeWe]

 K0, K1 has one type of fork tubes. (different design inside the lower part compared with K2-K6)
Old has (23 inches in length) according to CycleX

My bike, a K6 Europe has -1 Tube Set (22 13/16 inches) from CycleX, look exact as my old OEM
http://www.cyclexchange.net/Frame%20Page.htm[/url]

I remember from back in the days that K7 has longer tubes than K6 which Cyclex also say.
Standard Tube Set (23 13/16 inches)
FR-007   $149.00
Note: This length is considered STD for 77-78

[mcswny]

K0, K1 has one type of fork tubes. (different design inside the lower part compared with K2-K6)
Old has (23 inches in length) according to CycleX

My bike, a K6 Europe has -1 Tube Set (22 13/16 inches) from CycleX, look exact as my old OEM
http://www.cyclexchange.net/Frame%20Page.htm[/url]

I remember from back in the days that K7 has longer tubes than K6 which Cyclex also say.
Standard Tube Set (23 13/16 inches)
FR-007   $149.00
Note: This length is considered STD for 77-78

Interesting, looked all these lengths up on Cycle X.

My forks are definitely the more simpler K0-K1 forks, as well as 35mm fork seals. Unfortunately, I should have measured the tubes last night when I changed my seals to see how much longer they are. There is also a roughly 3 inch spacer between the top of the spring and fork tube cap.

I'm trying to find if they made aftermarket early year tubes to confirm my theory of them being longer than OEM (obviously measuring would be definitive), but I can currently only find extended tubes in the later years.


Any ones else have any experience?

Here's how she looks now. She ain't a looker but rides like a beast.

[mcswny]

Also wondering if extended fork tubes make handling less ideal than stock does?

[70CB750]

It is a trade off between what feels like nimble in turns and what feels stable going straight.

When I did my dual disc I went to 2" shorter tubes and I could feel some difference in how it wanted to fall in turns - means to turn easier - I went with longer ones since, but the difference stock length +/- few inches is not super critical.

of course a chopper with 6" over is a different story.

[mcswny]

It is a trade off between what feels like nimble in turns and what feels stable going straight.

When I did my dual disc I went to 2" shorter tubes and I could feel some difference in how it wanted to fall in turns - means to turn easier - I went with longer ones since, but the difference stock length +/- few inches is not super critical.

of course a chopper with 6" over is a different story.

Interesting, thanks man. Now I just gotta figure out if I want to go back to the stock, not sure if I'm into the longer look.

[PeWe]

Fork brace will stiffen up when using longer forks.
Here was 6 inch longer very popular 35 years ago... rather unstable too, but cool. Fork brace should have improved the handling.
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-steering-parts-tarozzi-cb750f-steering-stabalizer-22-0030.html

I like the forks OEM style I have, it fits my bike in almost OEM style except for 4-1, different head light ears, chromed headlight, Kawasaki Z1 900 mirrors and other small details.

Steering damper is a must as well.

[mcswny]

Fork brace will stiffen up when using longer forks.
Here was 6 inch longer very popular 35 years ago... rather unstable too, but cool. Fork brace should have improved the handling.
http://www.dimecitycycles.com/vintage-cafe-racer-caferacer-bobber-brat-chopper-custom-motorcycle-steering-parts-tarozzi-cb750f-steering-stabalizer-22-0030.html

I like the forks OEM style I have, it fits my bike in almost OEM style except for 4-1, different head light ears, chromed headlight, Kawasaki Z1 900 mirrors and other small details.

Steering damper is a must as well.

Yeah I definitely think I prefer the OEM look at least in visual terms. I need to ride my friends who has a stock length and see if I like how they ride mire. I think its more so if I want to shell out $150+ for stock forks. Clearly they're not chopper length, but they definitely are visibly longer in the photo above.

[mcswny]

Had to pull my forks apart again tonight so I had  the chance to measure my fork tubes and they're definitely extended tubes. They measure 27" tip to tail. Interesting


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[Lost and Confused]

     I used 79 year tubes with 74 lowers on my 74 cb750k. Reason was that I did away with fork ears which were crap, and the 79 uppers were rust free. There was about 1" difference . The 79 uppers do have a different top cap.



Bob