Topic: 35mm forks on 400F - how to keep the stock gauges?

[Speedy]

I have a dilemma with putting 35mm forks on a 75 400F (along with a 550F front hub laced to an 18" rim).  I have a 74 CB450 triple tree which has the same offset as the 400 but the top clamp won't work with the stock gauges or the key (the key on the 450 does not mount to the clamp like the 400/550).  The 550 tree might work with a 550 gauge mount but it has 10mm less fork offset.  I have been looking at pre 76 750 top clamps but the gauges look to mount differently, I think the bottom gauge cup is different but the gauges mount the same way?  I wish I knew this last year, I thought I had everything I needed with the 450 tree!

There are aftermarket top clamps but they don't look like they work with the stock gauges (plus I want to use handlebars).  What have you guys done when mounting 35mm forks on a 400F?  Can I get a 750 top clamp to work?  Will the 550 offset adversely affect handling?  That seems to be the easiest and cheapest route at the moment but not as desireable...

[754]

Do you have a pic of the top tree?  And the 400 guages.
 The 450 tree if it has the two holes, should be able to adapt somehow to instruments if they are two point mount.

[eastyork1977]

Just did this on a CB360T which shares the exact same forks as a 400F.

I used a cb550k3 front end, complete with triple tree and top and swapped out the 360T front end. This should work for later 400F models. You will have to modify the triple to clear the 400F steering stop.

CB550k2 steering stem is actually longer than CB550k3. You can use the CB550k2 front end with spacers and the early 400F controls will fit right on.

If you want to put old style gauges from a 400F on a 500k3 triple top, you just have to make bracket extensions.

Check out my instagram for the 360T / 550 conversion pictures.

@spector_seventees

Cheers

[eastyork1977]

Found one pic of the work in progress for you. CB360T controls on a CB550K3 triple and top.
This is not the final...