Topic: 1977 CB550K Fork Tubes and Gators

[Maraakate]

My seals are leaking on both sides on my 77 CB550K.  I looked a bit closer and both tubes have some small pitting in various spots.  I'm assuming that putting new seals on them will be a wasted effort because of this?  If yes, I was thinking of using Fork's By Frank to get a new pair.  Does anyone know what that will probably cost me?  Not sure what dimensions he needs, or will he already know what I need if I tell him it's a stock model.

I also want to swap it over to gators so I don't have to deal with this again.  What size do I need?  Where can I get them?

[jlh3rd]

If you're talking stock honda gators, I believe you have to get different fork ears as the 550's before 1977 had the stock honda gators which fit onto the bottom of those ears and then the bottom end of the gators fit into a groove on the top of the fork tube.....and you'll have to check and see if 1977 fork tubes have that groove....sorry,edited, fork case ,not tubes.

[Maraakate]

I actually do have a friend who has a parts CB500.  Forget the year but I believe 73-74?  Not sure if that is the same and will work to have the appropriate fork ears or will I have to locate an earlier CB550?

Curious if anyone out there has had Frank make them some new tubes for the CB550 and what the cost was.

[bryanj]

To use the Honda gaiters yes you need the earlier ears from an early 550  as on 500 the indicators mount to the headlamp bolts, or rather instead of those, and they will fit on the sliders which have the grooves for the small black dust covers.

[Maraakate]

OK, so basically I need to get a 76 or earlier CB550 fork case?  Hardware is the same?  If the answers to this are all yes, then I'm sure someone has something on here they could sell me. 

[bryanj]

NO the sliders are the same its the ears that vary

[Maraakate]

Hi bryan,

Sorry if I am asking the same questions maybe I am missing something or confusing myself (it is 3AM here!).  I just have to find the top half of the fork that has the proper ears from an earlier CB550 model?  This sounds like what you are telling me to do.

And by ears, I assume you mean the proper groove cut out to accept the top half of the gator?

[bryanj]

The "ears" US terminology in UK we call them brackets are the chromed bits that fit over the fork tubes in between what you call the tripple trees and we call yokes. There is a rubber "cushion" (big shaped thick O rings) at top and bottom of each bracket you had better get those as well as they may be different.

The top of the gaitor has a hole about the same size as the bottom but shaped different to fit in groove on bottom of chrome bracket. Look up your bike, and earlier models, at cmsnl to see the different bits