Topic: CB500 and 550 forks.

[ct_racer]

So since I am doing the dual disk conversion on my 73 500 I need to get at least the right fork off a 550 to be able to mount the caliper.  Lucky for me there just so happens to be a parts bike at a local engine shop and he lets me just take what I need and throw him some cash cause he's already gotten his money back for the bike.  My question is will there be problems using a 500 fork on the left and a 550 fork on the right?  i.e. are there different spring rates or anything else I should look our for?  I should also mention that I do plan on doing a rebuild of the forks and in fact all the parts I'm adding before they go on the bike.   

[bwaller]

As long as the legs are the same length, no problem, just use the 500 tubes, spring and damping rod.

[ct_racer]

Oh right I forgot about that, I did plan on using the 500 tube as long as it would fit.  If worse comes to worse I'll have to grab the other one.  I'm just really broke (in college) so trying to not buy what I don't have to.  also I am getting rid of the gators and changing the bucket mounts.

[number13]

Have you looked at the condition of the fork tubes on your 500 yet?
They are not chromed all the way up and are usually rusted.
I replaced the forks on my 500 with 550 forks mostly because of
the rust. They are identical with the added bonus of dual disc setup.

 

[TwoTired]

You can swap forks from the various years.  But, there were design changes twice through the 500-550 production.  I'm not sure mixing and matching parts among them is a good idea.   The whole fork assembly, yes.  Not bits and pieces willy- nilly.

Cheers,

[ct_racer]

You can swap forks from the various years.  But, there were design changes twice through the 500-550 production.  I'm not sure mixing and matching parts among them is a good idea.   The whole fork assembly, yes.  Not bits and pieces willy- nilly.

Cheers,

Thanks, thats about exactly what I needed to hear.  And thanks everyone I really appreciate your input.  The outside of all the forks looks good though I dont know about the inside on any of them.  It's Christmas so as soon as I go back home (and have that wonderful Christmas cash) I will pick the caliper and fork up.  Can't go wrong pickin up a new fork, disk, and caliper for 20 bucks

[TwoTired]

I think the damping action may be different among designs, too.  I'd try to use the same design for both right and left forks.

Cheers,

[chippyfive50]

the bottom assemblies should be the same. Many have number cast into them on the inner(wheel) side.
My 71' 500 fork tubes were nearly 2" shorter than the 550's and 750's, but all lower assemblies were the same.
Another thought, I decided to put dual 750 disks(larger diameter) on my 500. The parts(2 750 disks / calipers with mounts) added about $110 to the upgrade, but stopping is WOW, NO regrets.
If your 500 tubes are shot,and you want to keep the 500 length on the fork tubes, you can order the 2" under "750" tubes from Cycle X for about $160(with seals).
They are within a 1/4" in length of the stock 500 tubes, VERY nice, I love em...SMOOTH'

[TwoTired]

I know the lower fork stanchions for the 77-78 models are different length than prior years.  The 500s have the big long rod inside than went away in 74 for the 550s.

As I said, be wary of mixing things up.

Cheers,