Topic: CB550 Fork Length?

[lordwhimsey]

Hi,

Can anyone tell me how long their CB550 forks are from the centre of the spindle hole to the top of the tube. Preferably without any weight on them.

Sadly my 550 has no forks and, as I'm having trouble tacking replacements down, I'm exploring my options from Suzuki, Yamaha and Kawasaki but have nothing to compare them to.

I'd also really welcome suggestions from anyone who has successfully grafted on forks from another manufacturer.

Thanks Guys.

[ct_racer]

Well, I'll have an extra 550 left and 500 right fork in a couple of months or so...   

[Quartza]

Just get 550 forks off ebay.  They are listed all the time... and for cheap.  I picked up a pair for $30 and to my surprise when I tore them down, they had progressive springs in them.

[Tattoo]

Ebay is the way to go,  Tattoo

[lordwhimsey]

Thanks Guys, I should have said that I live in the UK and 550 parts aren't quite as numerous, or cheap as the US. When they do crop up they're generaly in pretty bad condition due to our miserable climate. I've ordered a few small parts from US but the postage on a pair of forks would be prohibitive.

What we do seem to have is a lot of 80s Suzuki and Kawasaki stuff lying around which is why I ask.

So if anyone can bear to pop into their garage and run a tape measure up the fork legs I should have this baby back on the road for spring

[bryanj]

500 will fit happily and good old Dave silver did have NOS a while back

[lordwhimsey]

Thanks for that Bryan. David Silver only seems to sell the fork tubes at the moment but I fear NOS may be a little too pricey for me anyway. But knowing that 400 forks will fit certainly gives me more ebay options

So if anyone wants to tell me how long their forks are I'd still love to know. I'm starting to think it might be a secret!

[bwaller]

OK mi-Lord, here are a couple free length measurements

1977-78 CB550--28+3/16"

1973 CB500       28+3/8

1975 CB500 twin 28+1/8

early 750's         29+1/8

77-78 750F        29+5/8

In case 750 stuff is more available just allow forks to protrude the triple clamp a little.

Good luck

[lordwhimsey]

Hurrah, your a genius. Thank you very much

[bryanj]

Thats 500 NOT 400, and i had forgot about the old 500Twin, there must be many of them hanging about dead somewhere,

When you go to Dave Silver download his parts database then take the first number for the leg (51400 & 51500) then try these middle numbers

323 (500 four)
374 (550 four)
375 (500 twin)
404 (77/78 550 four)
390 (550 F)

[Deltarider]

323 (500 four)
374 (550 four)
375 (500 twin)
404 (77/78 550 four)
390 (550 F)

Careful with that list. It's not that simple.
The CB500K2 [ED, F, G] for example has beside 323 lots of 374 (and 390 parts), incl the legs.

[Retro Rocket]

Hows that for a coincidence, the fork length of the early 750's is 29+1/8 inch which in millimeters works out to 736.6mm, almost the exact cubic capacity of the engine....

Mick

[FunJimmy]

I'd also really welcome suggestions from anyone who has successfully grafted on forks from another manufacturer.

Here is a CB550 with Yamaha R6 forks. http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27159.0

Easier if you use the Yamaha wheel too.

FJ