Topic: Can I cut +4 Fork Tubes to stock length or shorter and lower the bike???

[kwaggs27]

I have a 1971 Honda CB 500 and I purchased 4 inch over fork tubes because they were in better shape then the stockers. I want to cut the new tubes to the stock length or shorter if possible. Does anyone know if this can be done? Im not familiar with forks and thier properties.

[Patrick]

Sure, just about anything can be done if you are willing to put the time and money into it. What you want to do, however, would not be easy. You would either have to tap the top to hold the fork caps, or machine the bottom to hold the internal mechanism of the lower leg. If you are A machinist, or know a good machinist, go for it. If you are like me and just like to work on old bikes, this is a project that is far beyond the tools you have in your garage.

If it were my bike I would buy different tubes or live with the ones I had.

Patrick

[davesprinkle]

Don't even think about trying to do this yourself.  Send the tubes to Forking By Frank in Chicago.  They shortened and rethreaded my vintage Marzocchi forks for $90.

[bucky katt]

i did this on a set of +2 fork tubes BUT i had access to a lathe and a large machine shop. dont cut the tubes by hand.

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, all of the above. You'll need access to a lathe to cut them and internally thread them for your fork caps. There's a guy here in Melbourne who cuts down old XL250/350 fork tubes for CB750's, (he did a set for my CB750F2) and charges about 80 bucks to do a pair. Cheers, Terry.

[mcuozzo]

Wait!  Don't cut anything...

Are the fork tubes between the cb500 and a 78 750 K the same???  If so I might have a set of fork tubes to trade with you, if you're interested.

I'm looking for longer fork tubes for my chopper build.

They are still connected to the bike an it'll take me a while to get them off, but if you're not in a hurry maybe we can work something out.  I have to see how they look under the fork ears.

Here's a picture of the bike they would be coming off of.

[bucky katt]

i got a very large tap to thread the tube. i just put the tap into the tailstock and turned the chuck by hand to get the threads.

[754]

Bucky, and then what, Make up your own caps?
 just thread em on a lathe..
 should be 50 -75 bux..
BTW, I like the siggy.. should change mine to,
 Take me to the Airport, Put me on a Plane. Ohhh ...Ohhh.Oh..oh..Ohhhh

 For the guy that wanted to trade, his probably were not plated on top, is why he bought the chrome set.

Terry, I did not know the XL ones will fit, I have a couple sets, they are Hardchome like the 77/78s.. Thanks for the tip.

[Terry in Australia]

Terry, I did not know the XL ones will fit, I have a couple sets, they are Hardchome like the 77/78s.. Thanks for the tip.

No worries Frank, I tried to get some XL tubes from my local wrecker for cheap, but the fork guy beat me to it.........