Topic: Question About Mixing Fork Components

[c_kyle]

Can I mix 1979 CB650 fork lowers with 1982 fork uppers?  Why would I want to do this, you ask?  I want the air forks from the '82, but don't like the leading axle design of the '82 lowers.  Maybe my logic behind wanting to use the '79 lowers is incorrect, but won't the '82's leading axle design create a slower turning bike, where as the '79's axle is placed directly under the the forks, creating a faster turning bike?

[c_kyle]

bump

[doobiebro]

An easier and less expensive option would be to simply replace your top bolts with those of the '82 that have the air valves.  Or you could drill your current bolts and tap the hole for a schraeder valve.  The fork uppers don't make the difference, it's simply the air valve.

[c_kyle]

An easier and less expensive option would be to simply replace your top bolts with those of the '82 that have the air valves.  Or you could drill your current bolts and tap the hole for a schraeder valve.  The fork uppers don't make the difference, it's simply the air valve.

what about a set of air fork caps and the cross tube that links them? would they not be interchangeable onto your existing tube?

OK, I'm dumb.   Why didn't I see the simplest solution^?  I'm picking up an '82 parts bike this weekend.  It's a total POS, but the forks, triple-trees, wheels, and swing arm look OK.  I think it was HondaMan who talked about the Schraeder valve in the FAQ's.  Would this be the same as using the cross tube/what's the cross tube for?

[cafe750]

The cross tube is just so the air pressure stays the same from side to side...