Topic: CB 500 fork question

[boulder74]

I really want to get rid of the fork boots on my ride and go with the cleaner look of the 750 fork tubes.  The condition of mine are 'ok' up inside the current boots and ears but would like to change the stock ears out when I tear it down this fall. 

Can I swap out my '73 500 forks for any others such as 750 or 550's ?  Or are there any recommendations on seals/new forks/swaps/etc?

Pics are: current (black); and look I'd like (red)


Thanks

[brett_bike]

If your tubes are still good under the fork ears, there is no reason to replace them.  You can use your existing fork legs, you just need to get new for ears and dust seals.  While you're at it, completely rebuild the forks and install tapered steering bearings.  You won't regret it.

[number13]

750 tubes are too big, won't fit.
550 tubes are what you want, they were
made to be used without the rubber boots
so the hard chrome goes the entire length
of the tubes.

[boulder74]

Sweet, thanks a ton!

Been looking around but not sure if I was looking at the right stuff, now I'll know for the 'frame-up' this fall.
 

[Duanob]

'77 and newer came with dust seals instead of boots.

[bradweingartner]

750 tubes are too big, won't fit.
550 tubes are what you want, they were
made to be used without the rubber boots
so the hard chrome goes the entire length
of the tubes.

Careful, only the later 550 were chromed the entire length.

[boulder74]

Do you know which 'later' years those are by chance?

[bryanj]

77/78 were the ones, also 500 twin but they may be a slightly different length

[bradweingartner]

750 tubes are too big, won't fit.
550 tubes are what you want, they were
made to be used without the rubber boots
so the hard chrome goes the entire length
of the tubes.

I thought both 750 and 500/550 tubes were both 35mm in diameter.

This thread also recently came up: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=37104.0

[apex_seeking]

I really want to get rid of the fork boots on my ride and go with the cleaner look of the 750 fork tubes.  The condition of mine are 'ok' up inside the current boots and ears but would like to change the stock ears out when I tear it down this fall. 

Can I swap out my '73 500 forks for any others such as 750 or 550's ?  Or are there any recommendations on seals/new forks/swaps/etc?

Pics are: current (black); and look I'd like (red)


Thanks

I'm sorta doing what you are. I have a 75 550 and just swapped a member my stock boots. After I pulled the boots I thought it might be nice to run just a dust boot and not the gaiters.After a little research and some help from the people here, I found the 750 k2 came with the dust boots and fits our bikes. They are both 35mm.

[bryanj]

Dust boots are a 500 twin part and only they and the 550K3 had fully chromed tubes