Author Topic: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?  (Read 3823 times)

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Offline checkflag

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1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« on: July 27, 2009, 03:16:14 PM »
I just got these 1981 cb650 forks form feebay. They have an airline which
tethers the tube tops together.

Is this going to pose a problem for using them on my 1979, whos forks are seperate?

1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline cb650

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #1 on: July 27, 2009, 03:56:24 PM »
No you use the air or put your 79 caps on.
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #2 on: July 27, 2009, 04:48:36 PM »
Thank you bro.

1. Are there any advantages to using the air?

2. Any precautions for taking off the air
    Line, or can I just take it off, install, and
    Replace?

Thanks.

Sorry for all the questions and posts. Hopefully
after a while I will have the knowledge to help
other noobs.
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline MMICAFE

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #3 on: July 27, 2009, 05:12:43 PM »
witht the air forks you get a more comfy ride
1974 Honda CB450 super sport (sold sniff sniff) (my first bike)

1979 Honda CB650 (we have a love hate relationship)

2008 Honda metropolitan (sold kinda miss it for the gas mileage)

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #4 on: July 27, 2009, 05:57:56 PM »
well..... BONUS! thats cool.
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline Hush

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #5 on: July 27, 2009, 06:30:56 PM »
Just check the thickness of those forks, the 82 Custom I owned had forks like a harley, the 79 I have now has more like a broomstick thickness!
You might be sweet and I hope you are just wondering is all. :)
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #6 on: July 27, 2009, 06:52:15 PM »
They are looking the same. All I need to do is put new dust covers on my new replacements.
Only difference is the air tube.
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline Hush

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #7 on: July 27, 2009, 06:54:27 PM »
All good then, lucky you with air adjustable forks. :)
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #8 on: July 27, 2009, 08:07:36 PM »
Thanks. Got them on eBay for 30$ plus
shipping.

So, to install them, can I just remove the air tube
without consequence and then just re- attach it?

1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline scunny

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #9 on: July 27, 2009, 09:50:24 PM »
yes but let the air out first, you don't want any surprises
past-cb100,ts250,cb500,cb500,gs1000,gs650g.phillips traveller
present-CB 650 retro
            VTR1000F3
           XL250S riverbed rocket
           TS250[sold]
           TS185[sold]
           XL125S[sold]
           MT50 (white)
           MT50 (red)[sold]
           KN250/XS400 project
           XR/XL250 bitsa under construction
           SL100[sold]
           XL250R
           pedal(pub bike) leaks oil
my gallery http://gallery.sohc4.net/members/personal/scunny

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #10 on: July 27, 2009, 10:33:32 PM »
yes but let the air out first, you don't want any surprises

how?
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline scunny

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #11 on: July 27, 2009, 10:39:02 PM »
should have a valve that you can push in to release the air
past-cb100,ts250,cb500,cb500,gs1000,gs650g.phillips traveller
present-CB 650 retro
            VTR1000F3
           XL250S riverbed rocket
           TS250[sold]
           TS185[sold]
           XL125S[sold]
           MT50 (white)
           MT50 (red)[sold]
           KN250/XS400 project
           XR/XL250 bitsa under construction
           SL100[sold]
           XL250R
           pedal(pub bike) leaks oil
my gallery http://gallery.sohc4.net/members/personal/scunny

Offline Hush

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #12 on: July 27, 2009, 11:11:52 PM »
Like a car tire valve, depress centre and release air.
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #13 on: July 28, 2009, 12:18:19 AM »
ok.. i found it.. I released it.. but no air released really.

What does this air line to to the rideability? what is the advantage to
this feature? Im all excited about this bonus feature, but I have no
idea what it even is ???

please.. tell me about it

Oh.. would this be OK? before I install them I would like to polish the aluminum part
on the bottom, mask off the tubes and get a few coats of cleat coat to protect the
shine. Any forseeable problems there?
« Last Edit: July 28, 2009, 12:42:45 AM by checkflag »
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline cb650

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #14 on: July 28, 2009, 05:30:20 AM »
You are changing the fluid while they are off if there is any in them right?
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #15 on: July 28, 2009, 08:26:15 AM »
You are changing the fluid while they are off if there is any in them right?

it had crossed my mind to just leave it alone
but now that u mention it, yes, I'd agree it's a
good idea. What do I fill it with? ATF fluid? The
motorcycle store has some fluid specific for forks
but it's like 8 bucks. If it's just ATF, I'll just
get that.
« Last Edit: July 28, 2009, 09:49:15 AM by checkflag »
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #16 on: July 28, 2009, 03:30:40 PM »
yes.. i just drained the fluid.. but now, I cannot figure
out for the life of me how to remove the caps from the
1981 forks. I would assume they should just screw off,
but they are in there real good.

I am talking about the fork tops with the air line.
 anyone know how to remove them?
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.

Offline cb650

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #17 on: July 28, 2009, 05:18:46 PM »
Yes they will screw off.   If you need to hold the tubes in a vise do it close to the top.
ATF is ok but I try to use fork oil a little on the heavy side. 
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline checkflag

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Re: 1979 cb650 Fork replacement with 1981 forks question ?
« Reply #18 on: July 28, 2009, 07:41:23 PM »
excellent... I got it all done. I added 170 ml fork fluid  (5.7oz) to the 1981 replacement
shocks. I still need to test drive, but they certainly feel awfully soft so far. Do they need time
to settle? Maybe the 1981 shocks require more fluid? i need to reseach that or maybe one
of you know?

The only fitment issue was this nice new shiny chrome fender wouldn't fit. I think I can
grind some metal from it so it contours around the tube shaft better.


« Last Edit: July 28, 2009, 07:44:58 PM by checkflag »
1979 cb650. Mac 4-1 exhaust. Soon>> cb750 carbs.