Topic: 1982 Honda CB650SC Nighthawk - 750F Triple Tree swap

[papi_sosaa]

Hey everyone,

Just looking at handlebar options; I'm either stuck using clip-ons, stock-ish handlebars, or making my own.

I've read that you can swap out the triple tree with one from a same year 750F since they both shared 37mm forks and all you have to do is use bearings meant for the 750F. It makes the top tree look better/less busy and provides more handlebar options.

My question:
Has anybody done this before? Besides the steering bearings, are there any other differences? Stem length, fork-stem offset? I'm not worried about gauges, tach wire, speed wire, etc. not transferring over since I'm not using any of the stock equipment anyway.

[fizzlebottom]

Aside from swapping triple trees, long ago I saw someone fabricate adapters for the '82 CB650SC handlebar mounting holes which mimic universal clamps. I actually think that'd be an easier way to go than swapping out larger components. Though the problem there is you'd probably have to do something with the fuse block since it sits smack dab inbetween the handlebars. If you go down the mo.Unit route, that wouldn't be a problem of course.

[papi_sosaa]

I am going to be using the m.unit and the mo.lock so I won’t have a key cylinder or fuse block on the triple tree.

I made a similar post on the cafe racer facebook group and apparently the stems are the same size so the top triple is plug and play.

[fizzlebottom]

Why not the 82 CB750SC instead of the 750F? They are different part numbers but they both came with 37mm forks. I don't know if it'd make a difference, but if they both work then you'll have more options on the used market.

[papi_sosaa]

I figured the 750F would be more common than the 750SC and might have more information online about it or at least somebody would've tried to use the 750F triple tree.

They could be the same but it really comes down to fork offset and stem length.

[pekingduck]

The 750Fs had straight-axle forks, both the 650SC and 750SC have leading-axle forks.  The offset between the stem and fork tubes would be greater on the F, meaning it should steer a lot slower.
(I just took a look, and there are two sets of 750SC clamps on eBay right now, for $40 and for $30)