Topic: Triple Tree question! Experts chime in please!

[Jaydem]

So my upper tree is cracked so I need to replace it. Ive been checking ebay for a couple of days now, but there is so many options. Do I have to find one specific to my bike, or do others work as well?

I have a 74 Cb 750

Thanks
Jakub

P.S If anyone is selling one let me know!

[MCRider]

Are you aware of why it cracked? Are you missing the washers that go in the gap of the clamp on each side? If so you'll want to make sure you have them in the replacement tree.

people break these upper clamps when the spacer is missing and they are becoming hard to come by. Its not really a piece that can be repaired.

[736cc]

73 74 75 76 same

[the technological J]

i have a 73 tripple treepm me if interested... i would throw on some tapered bearings while your at it... i def lost the ball bearings

[Jaydem]

doesnt look like there is or was a washer in between the clamp...can I still get the washer anywhere?

[MCRider]

doesnt look like there is or was a washer in between the clamp...can I still get the washer anywhere?

Seems to come in waves. There have been several discussions of this issue, over and over. I think as new people get exposed they encounter the same problem others already have.

To answer your question, no the original washers are discontinued. You CANNOT use standard hardware as they are not thick enough and the clamp will still break.

Here's what I've come up with.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=72765.0
I am sending washers to a forum member tomorrow, coincidentally. If you need some to make your own spacers let me know.

[tlbranth]

The spacers on my K0 were washers with a flat ground on them. My top triple tree broke on both sides WITH the washers in place. I rummaged around and as I recall, used some thick washers and ground them down 'til they were a tad thicker than stock and the bolts tightened down on my NEW triple tree and gripped the forks juuuuuust enough. No problem so far.

[Jaydem]

cool..thanks!

[MCRider]

The spacers on my K0 were washers with a flat ground on them. My top triple tree broke on both sides WITH the washers in place. I rummaged around and as I recall, used some thick washers and ground them down 'til they were a tad thicker than stock and the bolts tightened down on my NEW triple tree and gripped the forks juuuuuust enough. No problem so far.

Were the K0 spacers homemade from standard washer stock?

My link has the actual dimensions, thickness and OD of the original spacers, for checking, if you care to. The cylinder head washers are the best stock to use I've found, they are slightly thicker and can be thinned.

[srook]

As an update to MCRider's post, you don't even have to thin the cylinder head washers for the top triple to clamp the fork tube.  I used the cylinder head washers on my bike and they worked great.  I did not thin them becuase I wanted to see how well the fork tube clamped and it worked great.  There was no need to go back and file them down.  You do have to cut a flat into them though.  I used vice grips to hold 2 washers together and then cut a flat into them using a dremel with the cut off wheel.
Scott

[tlbranth]

MC, I've owned my K0 since new and the original spacers looked like they were made from standard washers with a flat spot ground on them and with the inherent weakness of the triple tree, I thought the washers were too thin. After all, both sides of the tree broke. The lower tree, made from steel, iron or some such, does the real holding in the vertical direction. I figured the upper just needed to locate things and be snug. Seems to work. Don't want to buy another upper - they're getting pricey.

[BrianAdair]

so if my bike, K7 didn't have these to begin with as stock, I should be ok...?
I looked it up and the K7 model didn't have the shims in the top clamp.
I then  looked up a K4 and it does, to make sure I was looking at the right thing

[GammaFlat]

K7s and K8s do not have nor need washers.