Topic: Crazy Fork Question...

[volthause]

So, I've got this 74 CB550 that's in desperate need of dual front discs. Every time I'm in my basement, a set of GL1000 forks mock me. The question is, the GL1000 forks are several inches longer than the 550's forks. But, they've got the mounts for better calipers (which I also have in my possetion) and the provision for a dual front brake setup.

The lowers can't be swapped since the 550 tubes are 35mm and the GL1000 tubes are 37mm (I think).

Has anyone had luck with shortening fork tubes? Would I be completely crazy to try to modify these forks to fit my 550?

[Terry in Australia]

So, I've got this 74 CB550 that's in desperate need of dual front discs. Every time I'm in my basement, a set of GL1000 forks mock me. The question is, the GL1000 forks are several inches longer than the 550's forks. But, they've got the mounts for better calipers (which I also have in my possetion) and the provision for a dual front brake setup.

The lowers can't be swapped since the 550 tubes are 35mm and the GL1000 tubes are 37mm (I think).

Has anyone had luck with shortening fork tubes? Would I be completely crazy to try to modify these forks to fit my 550?

Piece o' cake mate, take those tubes to an engineering shop and get them to cut the required amount off the top of the tubes and rethread them internally for the caps. Of course, you could just use shorter springs in the GL forks which would effectively lower them, but would also reduce the available fork travel, affect the dampening etc as they'd already be partially compressed, but it might help temporarily to help you decide how much fork tube to cut off. Cheers, Terry.

[volthause]

Cheeers. Lucky for me I work at a machine shop. 

Of course I just totally overlooked the fact that my triple tree will have to be modified / replaced to accept the 37mm forks. And I'd have to modify / replace my clip-ons.

[crazypj]

You can use the 550 forks for dual brake setup. You do need to modify the speedo drive which is easier and cheaper than getting forks machined.
PJ

[ProTeal55]

You do need to modify the speedo drive which is easier and cheaper than getting forks machined.

Or just ditch the speedo completely. 

[Terry in Australia]

You can use the 550 forks for dual brake setup. PJ

You can, but the GL1000 brakes are so much better than the 550 brakes, if you can do the mods, it's certainly worth it. Like the CB750K0-8 vs the much more powerful F2 brakes, it's like the difference between night and day.

[volthause]

Terry is right on. The calipers are way better than the 550 setup. They mount on the forks rigid-stylee without the fumbly bracketry of the 550.





These are in need of some love, but overall they are in good condition.

[crazypj]

The 550 brakes work better if you swap fork legs left to right and have calpiers behind fork, more of a self servo effect so I'm told. I did it and it looks different seems to work OK
Edit 19th march
Two things I forgot to mention, the solid mounted calipers easily ovecome the flimsy fork tubes. its possible (likely) the seals will give out if you do much hard braking ( on 750F2 you can see where the seals wipe the rear of fork leg but not the front due to tubes 'bending')
the other thing is, those allen headed slider/pad pins are a right b***** to remove after a few years
PJ