Topic: 1975 CB550 K1 fork tube replacement

[reddyvv]

Hi folks,

I need to replace one of my fork tubes as it's pitted and leaking oil. The best price I could find by far was at Cruzin Image but they are for 75-76 F models. Are they just longer tubes? Anyone know if I can use all my existing bits with later model tubes?

They also say "These fork tubes doesn’t match USA models." I didn't know that there was any difference?

https://www.cruzinimage.net/2018/09/03/75-76-honda-cb550f-super-spot-front-fork-tube-inner-set-2tubes/

Thanks in advance!!

[newday777]

Your 75 K1 uses a different part number for the fork tubes than the 550 F Supersport use. I don't know the difference.

[wmajinw]

I recently went through the hassle of identifying what forks tubes I need.

I have a CB500K2 General Export and its the only model of CB500 which used the CB550 forks.

I bought my forks from this gentleman - https://www.ebay.com/itm/232217313017

Although they were a bit shorter, but the internals fir perfectly.

You can read this thread to help better understand what tubes would fit - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,193999.msg2268658.html#msg2268658

In essence, if you disassemble your current forks you could then check on CMSNL which models used your fork assembly and search for the specific tubes.

[Deltarider]

Where about are you, wmajinw? CMSNL - provided you're logged in - and the parts lists at Honda4Fun.com will show you that the CB500K2 (ED, F, G) aka GENERAL EXPORT) share quite a few more parts with the CB550K2, aka K'76.

[Oddjob]

Does no one in the USA do hard chroming?, in the UK we don't tend to replace fork tubes or stanchions as we call them, we get them hard chromed instead. It's cheaper generally, it's avoids the problems you're having with compatibility and with hard chrome being self lubricating it tends to give the fork seals a much easier life. It's also really hard (as the name suggests) and tends to resist stone strikes and the pitting that results. If the hard chromers are good they can also straighten any bends in the tubes, most tubes have a slight bend due to heavy braking etc, so long as the tubes aren't creased they can normally straighten even visibly bent tubes. 

Check out Philpotts in the UK https://www.amphardchrome.co.uk/ for some reading on the benefits and maybe you can find someone in the USA who can do the same sort of work.

[Shtonecb500]

Does no one in the USA do hard chroming?, in the UK we don't tend to replace fork tubes or stanchions as we call them, we get them hard chromed instead. It's cheaper generally, it's avoids the problems you're having with compatibility and with hard chrome being self lubricating it tends to give the fork seals a much easier life. It's also really hard (as the name suggests) and tends to resist stone strikes and the pitting that results. If the hard chromers are good they can also straighten any bends in the tubes, most tubes have a slight bend due to heavy braking etc, so long as the tubes aren't creased they can normally straighten even visibly bent tubes. 

Check out Philpotts in the UK https://www.amphardchrome.co.uk/ for some reading on the benefits and maybe you can find someone in the USA who can do the same sort of work.

Here in Detroit, Michigan getting good chrome work done is expensive. My guy will chrome a foot brake lever for $300 bucks and another place in Illinois just outside of Chicago quoted me around $1500 or more use to chrome a 750 frame.

So it would be in the $500-$700 range to re chrome our forks Im guessing...Not many of us are willing to do it.

[Oddjob]

I had a CB500-4 rear brake pedal done recently and it cost me around £15 to do. I had worked on it beforehand, removed all the pitting and polished the metal so it just needed dipping in the tank really but that's extremely expensive.

[beemerbum]

There is not one single chrome shop in OR. The enviro nazis wont have it