Topic: where to buy, early k2 fork tubes?

[Don R]

 The title says it, for anyone who has purchased some recently who has the good ones at a good price?

[Rookster]

Not cheap but the best there is: Franks Maintenance and Engineering.  You have to call them to order.  I'm not sure if they take credit card but they take a check or money order.  http://www.frankmain.qpg.com/

Scott

[qside]

ok, enlighten me how to identify these tubes from other fork tubes. i have a few different sets

[540nova]

Racetech


1974 CB450, 2006 CBR1000RR

[qside]

Are these them?

[Don R]

 Yes Qside the brake mount is how I tell them apart. I'm looking for new ones with full chrome, the Honda ones were chromed 1/2 way up and the tops under the chrome covers are always rusted.

[qside]

ok thanks now I know I have something special. Was on  my parts bike. i think Ill pull them and save them

[Don R]

 Those are the 69- early 72 forks, no real advantage to them except they are correct for an early bike. The later (73 and up) are easier to double disc.  The very early ones have the harder to find caliper that's correct on older bikes.  As a rule any of them that start with serial 104 or lower have guys searching for those parts. Most is not really rare but desirable for a correct early restoration.

[Don R]

 Going on my drag bike restoration frame, will only see the outdoors on occasion. I ordered a set of sudco cheapies to see how they look. It would be so easy to swap to newer forks but I didn't want to change much from it's roots. I'll report on them when they come in.

[edwardmorris]

I used a set from Z1parts.net on my early K2, they weren't too expensive and have been working well. Bought a set for my K3 from them as well.

[Davez134]

I used a set from Z1parts.net on my early K2, they weren't too expensive and have been working well. Bought a set for my K3 from them as well.

I did the same. Very happy so far

[seanbarney41]

Racetech also is advertising fork tubes for vintage bikes

Kust another option.

[754]

They are not really special, unless in great shape...have not seen a great set in decades..
Later forks are far easier to work with......

[Don R]

 K0rrect Frank. I'm just in a keep it original kind of mood.
 
 My ongoing memorial dragbike project donated it's early forks to a 72 that I plan to sell to fund more parts and paint for my 3 keepers. That way the exposed chrome on the K2 dragbike front end will look good as will the correct length forks on the for sale 72K  The 6" over forks I took off the 72K can go to a chopper guy or be trimmed for future use. 

[somesuch]

The early forks are better. They have bushings on the fork tubes and on the lower legs.....the lowers can be clear hard anodized and the lower bushings can be coated to lower the fork stiction. The whole assembly ends up working better.....all this is valid only if you want to stay with stock forks.