Topic: Cycle Exchange Fork Tubes vs. Forking by Frank

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Cycle Exchange sells their fork tubs for about $150.  Frank sells his for over $200.  Is there anything lacking on the Cycle X tubes?

Also, I canot seem to get a consistent length measurement for stock 550 tubes.  Cycle X says 21 13/16, and a forum member told me his stock tubes were 22 3/16.  I'm trying to get replacements for a 1975 CB550.

[Greggo]

I'm very happy with my CycleX stock length K0 750 legs, but I can't comment on Frank's.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I have a set of GL1000 fork tubes on my 750 from Frank.  They are very high quality chrome, but I didn't have anything to compare them by (such as Cycle X's tubes). 

Thx!

[oldbob]

I bought some tubes from Frank for my CB400F, and their quality is impressive. I recommend them highly.

Bob

[Tews19]

I have K1 rubes from Franks. Top notch.  If I remember they are going out of business. I believe there was a thread on it.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I didn't know that. I called Frank last week.

[Anton]

The stock shocks from my 75' 550F are 22 3/16" long

[Stev-o]

I have K1 rubes from Franks. Top notch.  If I remember they are going out of business. I believe there was a thread on it.

Frank may have passed away but his wife took over?

[Anton]

I talked to someone there a few weeks ago, still in business!

[wjustinleigh]

The quote Franks gave me for forks for my cb500 was $279 per set plus $30 shipping.  500 tubes are different, but the cost made it worthwhile to swap to 550 forks.  Cycle Exchange has been out of stock on the tubes for a while now, they say they're coming back in stock but that was a couple months ago.

[chewbacca5000]

Ok here is my dumb question for the week.  Can Frank cut the tubes to what ever size I want?

[EricHa]

Frank's forks are top quality and made in IL. Frank passed on a long time ago, but his wife mary has carried on the business. I haven't seen CycleX tubes, but they were out of stock when I was in the market.

I believe that Frank's can make any length tubes that you want.

[Powderman]

I have K1 rubes from Franks. Top notch.  If I remember they are going out of business. I believe there was a thread on it.

Looks like from their new web site that they are in fact continuing to stay in operation. I posted and then deleted my post stating also that they had gone out of business. Frank died years ago and the wife couldn't handle the day to day operation anymore. I have an email in to them to see what the story is. I post a follow up when I hear from them.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I have K1 rubes from Franks. Top notch.  If I remember they are going out of business. I believe there was a thread on it.

Looks like from their new web site that they are in fact continuing to stay in operation. I posted and then deleted my post stating also that they had gone out of business. Frank died years ago and the wife couldn't handle the day to day operation anymore. I have an email in to them to see what the story is. I post a follow up when I hear from them.

I have ordered from Frank previously and was happy with their tubes. They are close to double the price of the Cycle X tubes, so that's why I was asking - is there ant appreciable difference between them.

I spoke to Frank about 10 days ago. He didn't say anything about going out of business or being dead.

[EricHa]

Forking By The Ghost of Frank? 

http://books.google.com/books?id=1SEQfaaI1S4C&pg=PA101&lpg=PA101&dq=frank+stankovich&source=bl&ots=0n29KfPeaw&sig=hDrghLpu11MMXb4rY_jf1WMQbtU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=V5xWU5PPM-aP8AHo34DQDw&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=frank%20stankovich&f=false

[Powderman]

Franks new website has no product info, only a contact form to send in to them. I'm still awaiting reply to the message I sent last week and a phone message left.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Good luck with that.  In the past, I've found that the only way to contact FbyF is to call and reach Frank or his wife.

[Powderman]

Good luck with that.  In the past, I've found that the only way to contact FbyF is to call and reach Frank or his wife.

When was the last time you contacted them? As I understand it Frank has been gone for quite some time now.

[Tews19]

I got a really nice set of fork rubes from Franks in a bundle package I picked up a few years ago. They were extended like 6 inches. I called franks and told them I have their tubes and wanted them to be stock length for my 750 K1. I shipped to them and had them back within a week. If I were to get another set I would go through them.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Good luck with that.  In the past, I've found that the only way to contact FbyF is to call and reach Frank or his wife.

When was the last time you contacted them? As I understand it Frank has been gone for quite some time now.

See above.  About 10 days ago -- could have been an additional week, but not more than that.

[Old Scrambler]

I'm pretty sure that was Frank Jr. you talked to.  The boys have been running the business for several years.............in fact are doing better quality than some of the older work.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I'm pretty sure that was Frank Jr. you talked to.  The boys have been running the business for several years.............in fact are doing better quality than some of the older work.

That could be the case.  From his voice, he appeared to be a significantly older gent.

[754]

Frank SR passed on around the late 70, so his kid would probably 55 or older..
Wonder how many sets of tubes they cranked out so far..

[grcamna2]

I've bought replacement forks from Frank's in the past and really like their quality.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

This debate might end up being academic, since Cycle X is out of the tubes for a 550. 

[Dimitri13]

CycleX tubes (for 550) look great. I managed to get a set back in April '13. Emailed them sometime in March, asked for an estimate on when they'd be back in stock. Gave them my phone number, and got a call when they were in stock, and snatched em up. I think they ran out in just a couple weeks.

I haven't run them out on the road, but on the bench they look fantastic. If you don't like CycleX or would prefer to support a long-time, quality, family-run business, then don't hesitate to go with Frank.

[franksforks]

Franks Forks is not going out of business. In fact they are still building the same great quality forks for all bikes. Each set of tubes is custom made to your exact specs in either standard lengths or custom. They us only American made steel and hard chrome to produce the best quality fork tube for the money. They now even accept credit cards. You can call them at 847-475-1003 or find them on the web at www.franksforks.com.

[ekpent]

Franks Forks is not going out of business. In fact they are still building the same great quality forks for all bikes. Each set of tubes is custom made to your exact specs in either standard lengths or custom. They us only American made steel and hard chrome to produce the best quality fork tube for the money. They now even accept credit cards. You can call them at 847-475-1003 or find them on the web at www.franksforks.com.

Thats nice to know. How long has your company been in business ? Your adds are in all the old old cycle mags I still like to browse through.

[whitjonw]

Franks Forks is not going out of business. In fact they are still building the same great quality forks for all bikes. Each set of tubes is custom made to your exact specs in either standard lengths or custom. They us only American made steel and hard chrome to produce the best quality fork tube for the money. They now even accept credit cards. You can call them at 847-475-1003 or find them on the web at www.franksforks.com.

That's great to know and awesome that you now have a website !!

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Welcome to the site, errr our insanity    We like to support those that support our SOHC4's. Keeps us going    Stick around and join the fray.

[grcamna2]

Franks Forks is not going out of business. In fact they are still building the same great quality forks for all bikes. Each set of tubes is custom made to your exact specs in either standard lengths or custom. They us only American made steel and hard chrome to produce the best quality fork tube for the money. They now even accept credit cards. You can call them at 847-475-1003 or find them on the web at www.franksforks.com.

Very good news